Saving and Investing Articles

7 Ways for College Students to Save Money

Posted by Rachel on December 29th, 2008 filed in Saving and Investing
1. Apply for financial aid, grants and scholarships (free money).
Grants and scholarships are officially free money for college students. The most work you would have to do is write essays, collect recommendations or fill out applications. Just compare it to the real world, the work you do for scholarship money is less than the work you would do at a job for the equivalent amount of money. Scholarships and grants are easy, free money.

2. Get a job that will pay for your tuition.
Indeed there are jobs that pay more than just a salary. Certain employers will actually pay for your education. Look for companies that have positions related to your major.

3. Buy and sell books online.
The bookstore is always overpriced. You might as well purchase your books online since thousands of students are trying to get rid of their books at low prices. To get extra cash, you can sell the books you don’t need any more online to other students in need of them. Of course, one place to find and sell college books is on eBay.

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Easy Method to Quickly Start Budgeting Money

Posted by Rachel on December 5th, 2008 filed in Budgeting, Saving and Investing
Budgeting your money is one of those things many of us dread to do. If you haven’t experienced it already, living paycheck to paycheck isn’t ideal. So, if you haven’t made a budget for your money yet, today is the day to start one. It isn’t as hard as many people think.

Money Tree created a brand new software application that I believe will help beginner budgeters. Here are the benefits of this software as opposed to other methods of budgeting:

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What is the Definition of a Mutual Fund and Money Market Fund

Posted by Bonnie on September 4th, 2008 filed in Saving and Investing
Since 1940, there have been three basic types of investment companies in the United States. They are open-ends, also known as mutual funds, unit investment trusts (UITs), and closed-end funds.

Mutual Funds

A mutual fund is a professionally managed firm of collective
investments that collects money from investors and puts it in
stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments and other securities.

A mutual fund allows a group of investors to pool their money together for a predetermined investment objective. When you invest in a mutual fund, you become a shareholder of the mutual fund.

The majority of mutual funds invest in stocks and/or bonds. Bonds are money lent to the government or a company that pays back principle and interest over a set time period. Pooling the money together reduces trading costs and adds the advantage of diversification.

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Money in the Bank - Saving Basics

Posted by Bonnie on September 3rd, 2008 filed in Saving and Investing

Savings Accounts

The easier it is to access your money, the lower the rate of return from interest.

A savings account in a bank pays less interest because you have easy access to your money. That means that you can withdraw your money at any time, which in turn means that the bank cannot invest it in a higher rate long-term investment. Some banks will offer interest rates on money in your checking account.

Saving Money in a Bank

Saving Money in a Bank

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Teenagers Money Management

Posted by Bonnie on September 1st, 2008 filed in Bank Accounts, Budgeting, Saving and Investing

Teenagers need to be taught money management so that when they move out on their own they will be able to handle their money wisely. You don’t want them to fail and have to move back home just so that they can pay off their debt.

How to Get Started

If your child does not already have a savings account, help your child open one. A teenager should also be able to open a checking account. Anyone under the age of 18 will have to have a co-signer since minors cannot be held responsible for contracts.

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Saving and Budgeting for College

Posted by Bonnie on August 29th, 2008 filed in Budgeting, Saving and Investing

Whether you have a newborn baby or a teenager, you might be wondering, how am I going to pay for college? We have had several questions asked about how to save and budget for college expenses. So I will cover several of the alternatives.

There are many ways to save for college including a prepaid plan, a 529, Coverdell, bonds, or a regular savings account.

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How Do Guys Save Money (and Gals)

Posted by Bonnie on August 27th, 2008 filed in Saving and Investing
This article is about how to build a savings account and having a savings plan. It can be used for teaching teens to save money, children, and even you.

Money saving secrets aren’t secrets at all. They just require application. So here is what you need to do.

  1. Pay yourself first. The suggested amount is 10%. Every time you get paid, you should allocate 10 percent to your savings account before paying anyone else. You say you can’t afford to do that? You really can’t afford not to. So to get started, here is what you do.
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The Fastest Way to Save Big

Posted by Angel on August 13th, 2008 filed in Saving and Investing

One of the things that I didn’t discuss in my previous article, 10 Little Ways to Save Big, is buying pre-loved or lightly used items. Buying pre-owned items can save you, on average, 40% on clothes, furniture, even electronics - pretty much whatever you can think of that you need. Even though your local Good Will might not be the ideal place to do all your shopping, sometimes you can find great deals on great items, and maybe even cool vintage finds.

Looking for a new couch? Or maybe your child is moving out and you want to help them furnish their first place? Consider the local goodwill, or even check out nearby yard sales! Sometimes all those ugly old floral chairs need is a new cover. With a little bit of work, you can turn old and shabby into new and chic. Make a project of it!

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10 Little Ways to Save Big

Posted by Angel on August 12th, 2008 filed in Credit Advice, Saving and Investing

If you have bad credit and have found yourself struggling to pay off your debts, there are lots of little things that you can do to save money. Here’s a list of ten little things that’ll save you a few bucks – and remember, however few they are now, they all add up in the end!

1. Pack your own lunch.

Packing your own lunch can not only be more nutritious for you than grabbing a quick bite at the closest burger shack, but can save you lots of money – eating out is expensive! You could probably buy all the fixings for a week’s worth of sack lunches for what it costs you to have lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s. If you eat out because of the social aspect, consider organizing a pot-luck where everyone brings food from home.

2. Coupons.

Before you go shopping, you should check out the newspaper for coupons that are relevant to you. Many stores even have their coupons online, which you can print from the comfort of home. I just got a coupon the other day for a free 24 pack of bottled water! If you don’t look for the coupons, you won’t know they’re there and you won’t be able to get those savings.

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