What would you do with an extra $1000 a month?

Did you know you are paying too much for some of your household expenses?
I have been saved thousands of dollars in my home this year. Since the economy has taken a turndown, most companies are raising their rates, right? Maybe not. You see you have to go through your home every once and a while to see if you are really paying what you are suppose to pay on your bills. What was good for your bills several years ago may not be good for you in this financial economic crisis.
Case in point, I don’t watch television a lot. If it were up to me I would not have cable but I have it for my movie loving husband and my cartoon loving kids. Several months ago I switched cable services. The new cable service promised to be more economical with better picture quality and more channels. Jackpot! So I switched services. My services would be bundled, meaning my cable; internet and phone were all in one. I thought I was getting a deal, until my family talked me into getting a High Definition DVR and an extra box for my home office. My bill was much higher but still a savings from previous service provider.

My new bill came in the mail and I reviewed it for accuracy and the payment amount. I saw a charge that I did not approve, so I called the service provider. I asked the customer service rep is there anymore I can save today, and could get be a better deal? The answer was yes. If I keep the movie channel that was thrown in free for a month, I will save $900 a year. If I choose not to keep the extra channel I will save $1176 per year.

The key to my success for savings is to not give up. Call the companies and ask for savings and check your bills always. You too will find hidden treasure in your home just like I did! For more info on this topic or to sign up for the upcoming book about this and more goto www.theoliverfinancialgroup.com.

When to Teach Kid$ About Money

I think teaching kids about money should be in schools just like teaching kids and teens about reading, writing, and ABC's. Why, because once you learn the basics of money and savings early then it would be effortless to continue the teaching and building upon what they have learned. Financial literacy for children will be far to easy to teach and cost less money when children are younger than waiting until they are freshman in college and being introduced, possibly, for the first time, with financial responsibilities.
When, I was in school I had to get my parents signature before I could get a credit card. Of course, now it is different. College students are bombarded with free trinkets just to fill out an application! Kids and teens should know that saving money is like brushing teeth or combing hair. It should be a habit. Parents are responsible for teaching their kids. But how? How can a parent who never learned themselves about being financially savvy, teach their kids and teens? The United States has just started adding financial literacy in the schools. Each state has its own programs. Check with your state to see if there is a financial literacy program available. If you are looking for a program that teaches kids about money visit www.kidsmoneycollege.com. This program teaches kids from the ages of 5-18years of age. Check it out so your kids will not be left behind.

Saving Money the Old Fashion Way

Whatever happened to the old fashion way of saving money by not spending a lot on your normal purchases? The barter system is still alive and well. It seems as if consumers have gotten complacent because we have an abundance of everything. If you are seriously considering saving money, there are three ways that are easy, and can save and make you money right away.

Remember the flee markets?? There was once a craze over them. Now they are back in style. I remember, when I was younger, my mother and I would go to the flee market with all of our out-grown clothes and things around the house and sell it. We would come home with pockets full of money and empty boxes because people would purchase all of what we had. You can find everything at a flee market, even new items, for less. So check out your local flee market and see what you can find. It may be worth you time.

Do you or anyone you know have gently used clothes and toys? Take them to your clothing consignment store. Some stores even buy your things and give you money on the spot. Others will accept or reject the clothes and showcase them at their location until someone buys them. If a person does not buy them within a certain length of time you can either pick the clothes and toys up or the store will donate them to charity. You can really find great deals in a consignment shop too. My hairstylists’ shop is near a children consignment store. For the past few months, I have seen people in packs, with black plastic trash bags full of children clothes and toys. These parents are hoping to get money for their children things.

The financial crisis is in full swing and if you are on a budget and you want to find out more ways to save, try these tips and start saving the old fashion way.

Coupon Clipping for Money

Ok, I know I preach about saving money, using coupons, and doing a budget. But I also say what is good for some people is not good for others. I know that some people can not get their arms around a monthly budget. I also know that some people can not get their arms around coupons. I am one of those people. I know I am a not a coupon clipper. So I thought.

For years I have been telling my clients and friends when you clip coupons and use them they will save you money. And I always followed up with, “I am not that person to do it but it can save money.” I was that woman with all good intentions on saving by cutting them out but never using them and when I did finally use them they would be expired.

I challenged myself. I went to the store and pursed the aisles of the supermarket finding the deals and wondering if it was more to it then what I was doing. Don’t get me wrong, I was in the store longer than normal but I was saving money. At the end of my trip in the store as the cashier rang up my items I whipped out my coupons. He worked diligently taking of $3 coupons and $2 coupons. The total savings from my coupon challenge yesterday at the grocery store was an astounding $40.29. YES. And the items that I purchased were all needed in my household. No extras purchases because I had a coupon.

So don’t underestimate what you can do in this economy. What seemed to be a homework assignment for me turned me in to an avid coupon clipper for life. It works! Now I practice everything I preach.

What a grand week I had!

What a great last week I had. Let's start from the top. Monday morning, an article about me in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Metro Business Section. The piece talked about the Money Group I started and talked a little about me. Here is the link if you are interested and have not read it. http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-06-0037.html. Cool piece for sure.

The next day I was off the Multicultural Day at the Bellwood Defense Supply Center here in Richmond, Virginia. This was a closed event just for the employees, but it was great to see a governmental agency doing for their people. I meet plenty of interesting people and the day was filled with music and food. Of course, I had over 50 conversations about the economy but hey, that is what I do.

And to end the weekend off, I was the Keynote speaker at the 95th Girl Scout Alumnae Tea. I also had a table there promoting the Kid$ Money College for Girl Scouts. It was great to see the same women when I was a scout, still in the organization and getting their well deserved Legacy Awards. Since Maggie L. Walker is my idol, it was a pleasure to see her Great Great Great Granddaughter there speaking on behalf of her and accepting her award. I was able to meet lots of troop leaders and girls. And oh was I so proud of the girls. They all are very well positioned to be somebody and make something of themselves anywhere they choose. Of course, my daughter was there with her troop and I was so happy to see her interacting and loving Girl Scouts as I did. What a great week and I am sure I will have another great week ahead.

I will start doing a weekly recap of my weeks good or bad for anyone to follow. Any comments please send them to me. And as always, have a great financial day!

Values and the Economy

One can easily say, financial turmoil is rampant with the economy today. Another bank (Washington Mutual) went under and bought out by another company. Americans are on an emotional roller coster ride with all emotions turning down. Where are the values of our society? What happened to the values of the US? What happen to the values of people who have gotten us all into this mess?

What are values, you might ask? Some define "values" as beliefs of a person or social group in which they have an emotional investment. Others say, values are those things that really matter to each of us ... the ideas and beliefs we hold as special.

I have strong values that have shaped me since I was a child. My values have evolved into adulthood from experiences and education but they are still the same values, just honed. My values are trust, honestly, treating people with dignity and respect and empathizing with individuals conditions and their own beliefs and values. All of the values that I instill are in direct correlation to my business and how I work with my clients. People have to trust me with their money and with the advice I give them. I have to be honest with them about their outlook, whether it is good or bad.

Why did the "Big Boys" not utilize their values when the world was crashing down around us a few years ago. Why now, is there such an urgency to help companies, not everyday people, get out of debt. Seems like greed overcomes values. Greed is an ugly thing and when "GREED" gets in a situation, all hell breaks loose.

As a financial professional, my suggestion is to really "hold on" because in the next few weeks and months we are going to see things that we have never seen before. The ideas that we thought yesterday might not be tomorrow. The world will never be the same. America is up for sale for cheap. Individual credit scores are tanking, banks can't loan money, and people are stressing to find out how to make budget in their household. How much more do the little people have to cut so that the BIG BOYS can live a life of luxury? Hold tight people, and when listening to the news and others talking, keep your mind open and your money close. I am here for questions.

The economy is a mess!

It has been a while since I last blogged and there is a lot going on. The economy is a mess! The problem is, no one wants to admit that we are in a recession. No one wants to admit that we have been in this mess for years. Now, the BIG GUYS, are meeting to try to bail us out??? And the reason they are taking so long is because this will affect the election. They want to cross their t's and dot their i's. To me the funny thing is, as much as they want to talk about the mess we all are in, what is going to happen is suppose to happen. I am really tired of the BIG GUYS thinking that we don't understand what is going on and they can feed us anything and it be ok. I am tired of the Big Guys trying to keep all the money to themselves. There is enough out there for everyone and then some so why is all this happening. GREED. One of the seven deadly sins. Greed is a something that the US has been in for centuries but now it has come full circle. Like I said in the local paper yesterday,"It is going to get worse before it gets better so hold on!" And like my mom would say," Hold on to your horseys!!!"