End of the Year Budgeting

I think almost all of us feel the budget stresses of this time of year. I think we should really think before we speak. Sure we all love our family and friends, but some time maybe we need really think before we commit ourselves to certain things, i.e. presents, friend and visits. These stresses can cause some people to take there lives. Think about it, if you visited Aunt Jane last month, do you really need to make another visit, perhaps within a month's time.

I suggest we be careful with our commitments. Maybe we should think about our budget first. But, I sometime get caught up in the moment and have made many commitments in the years pass that I should have definitely thought about first. If we set a budget for this time of year and try to stick to it maybe we will do a little better financially. Commitments are a serious thing. We all try to honor our word even if it means we may suffer a little down the line.

Once you have made a commitment, don't give up on your budget. Don't say well i might as well go crazy now. We still need to maintain some kind of control. We can still be reasonable but practical. I am not saying to be cheap, but to get the best for your money. Shop around if you have too. I remember hearing a lady saying she has to feel like she is getting a bargain. This can make the whole experience more fun; looking for the sales.

Lastly, try to have fun, it not about money, presents or visits. Some time it is just about being alive to see about day. It is fun also fun to visiting friends and family and sometime sharing a good meal and tell old stories. The point is to enjoy yourself, that's the main message I want to leave with you.

Personal Budgeting

Constant changes in our lifestyle and overgrowing dependence on credit cards and bank loans are creating havoc in our personal income management, and the best way to avoid falling into a debt trap is to start personal budgeting. It is a way for an individual to effectively manage his money without having to worry about his future.

A personal budget can be defined as a financial plan that sets limits on the amount of money that an individual would spent on each category in a given month. A good budget takes into account factors such as the total income of an individual or family, any outstanding debt, savings for retirement and funds for emergencies.

One can start personal budgeting by tracking monthly spending, and should try to account for every dollar spent. At the end of each day, one should write down a list of expenditures on a piece of paper or a spreadsheet. However, each personal budget should be made with the primary motive of saving money. Budgeting can help pull down one’s credit card debt. Regardless of the goal, the budget should be primarily aimed at spending money intelligently, so that each dollar is worth its value.

The most important step in financial planning and budgeting is to be realistic and stick to the plans made. Another aspect is to adjust the budget so that one does not give up on the process.

In the end, budgeting helps an individual to save for a better future and meet the goals of financial freedom, debt-free living, and a comfortable retirement.

How Budgeting Can Change Your Life

Introduction

Budgeting is by far one of the most under utilised tools for helping individuals to pursue a more stress free and enjoyable lifestyle. This article explores how budgeting can improve your life helping you regain control of your finances and offers some practical suggestions to get started.

What is a budget?

Before we examine how budgeting can improve your life we first need to briefly understand the concept. Budgeting is simply a means of planning how you will spend your finances by writing it down. The idea often strikes fear into many people for the simple reason that many of us don't have a good overview of what we spend, where we spend it and why. Helping to unravel and understand these simple questions can help place an individual firmly back in control of their finances and is very liberating.

I have prepared some basic information about how budgeting can improve your life based upon my experiences of working with individuals at all levels of society, who have experienced debt problems.

1. Feel in control of your finances.

Impulsive buying is perhaps one of the biggest enemies of sound financial control and can leave people feeling stressed, anxious and depressed when they later realise that they are unable to keep up repayments. The most stressed person can appear visibly relieved after just spending an hour preparing a detailed monthly budget. Whilst the budget itself may not resolve the difficulties they face it can highlight areas where spending habits need to change and enables an individual to think about their financial circumstances and understand that they can regain control.

Practical step: Spend an hour now to produce your own monthly budget, there is an excellent template available for free at via Microsoft, see the resources links at the end of this article

2. Improved Relationships

When individuals are feeling stressed and anxious about their financial circumstances one of the first things to suffer are relationships with a spouse, partner or family and friends. Creating a clear monthly budget plan can improve these significantly because the individual concerned feels more in control of their circumstances and has a clear plan of action to remedy the situation. This often results in them feeling more relaxed as a result and more able to spend time maintaining important relationships.

Practical Step: Consider getting the whole family involved in planning the monthly budget. This can be a great way of everyone feeling involved in the household financial matters and also take ownership for spending decisions. It is also a superb way of teaching children the value of money and help them to develop their own good budgeting habits in the future.

3. Improved Savings and Investments

If an individual is able to identify spending habits that are unhelpful or extravagant as a result of producing a monthly budget then this can often result in that money being put to better use. For example if an individual regularly spends $4 a day buying a coffee from Starbucks on their way to work, this equates to $60 a month. A budget plan may identify this as a poor use of money (or it may not!) and cause a change in the person's spending habits.

Practical Step: Perhaps in future you could wait until you get to work before having a free coffee. This $60 could then be placed into savings and/or investments to secure your financial future. $60 over 12 months is $720 a year.

4. Improved Health

The effect stress and anxiety can have on the body is hugely negative. Constant worries and concerns over a prolonged period combined with poor diet are proven to be significant risk factors to heart attacks, which is the singular largest cause of death in the developed world. Preparing a monthly budget places an individual back in control of their finances, which in turn can lead to lower stress levels and an improved lifestyle.

Yummy Great American Seafood Recipe

I have always loved eating at fast food chains even before. The taste of American foods stuck in me that I want to munch on any of them every now and then. As I was searching for great American recipe to cook at home, I stumbled upon www.GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com which states that, "Enter to Win". Of course, I got interested and wondered if I could also join the contest. It's so easy though by casting your vote for your favorite recipe.

My interest become intense when I read through a list of great American seafood recipes. I told myself that it's so timely since I was really looking for a yummy dish for dinner. And voila! I found the right one to satisfy my taste as well as the whole family. It's what you call as the "Texas Gulf Shrimp," a recipe of Chef Mark Holley. As you all know, I love the taste of shrimp especially the big ones from one province here in Bicol.

Yep, I always go for the seafoods than meat. So if I were to choose, I'd more likely have seafood dish than fatty meaty ones. Aside from it's healthy for the family, the taste is no doubt to be excellent. I won't miss cooking this recipe. The ingredients is so easy to find. I was even attracted of the way it was presented so I guess just by looking at it, I know how much my family would crave for it. I might also add something to make it more yummylicious.

So gals and guys out there, let's take time for cook off. I know you always have the heart for foods. Why not grab the chance of visiting the site just like what I did? It's something that your family would remember everytime, bragging you to cook for more even everyday.

Oops! Before you do the cook off, take time to vote for your favorite recipe as it will give you a chance of winning the New Orleans prize package. Goodluck to all of us!

Happy seafood munching!

How To Make $50 Last 10 Days

How many times has someone advised you to budget your money? Managing a budget doesn't sound fun; however, neither does starving!

So how can you make your funds last longer? It's easier to manage your money and live within a budget than have to run all over campus trying to remember from whom you borrowed cash.

Instead of thinking about how much $50 can buy you and what to spend it on, think about making that money do the work for you. Try taking this challenge with a friend and see who can most effectively and efficiently manage $50 in 10 days.

Girls love guys who know how to manage their money wisely. Instead of buying video games and complaining they are too broke to go out, they are able afford a dinner and movie with friends on a weekend.

Guys love girls who don't blow their budget on a weekend shopping spree. As a budgeting college student in my third year at Colorado State University, I have experienced the benefits of learning to manage money. I have also tried the $50 money management challenge on my own.

Meals: Food is expensive, especially if you are eating fast food or dining out all the time. It's the 1 o'clock in the morning pizza delivery and that quick snack at the student center that can eat a hole in your wallet. Set aside $20-$25 for your 10 days and go to the grocery store.

Save big bucks by shopping with a list of items that you need. Using the local grocery store savings card, which is free to sign up for, gives you lots of deals. Start buying generic brands when you go to the store; this will help you save some money.

Clipping coupons might seem like a tedious task, but if it saves you $5 at the store, it will allow you to chip in for that 1 a.m. pizza on a Friday night. It's the 8 a.m. class that causes you to run to Starbucks for that $2.50 cup of chai tea. You can get 10 cups of chai tea every morning for the same amount if you made it at home. Understand that you can't cut out all your wants. But try going to Starbucks just once a week instead.

With $25 here is what I did. I bought things that would last for a couple of weeks and were easy to make, like pasta for dinner and sandwich stuff for lunch, but the Snickers bar at the checkout line was a buy I had to make. Nutrition is important, but if Raman Noodles sounds good for dinner one night, then stock up on that six-for-a-$1 deal.

Gasoline: A car is a big part of a college student's life. Set aside $10 for gas for your car in those 10 days. I know what you're thinking: $10 won't fill up your car, but it's not supposed to.

Shop around for gas prices; don't go to the first gas station you see. Research different gas prices, and then go to the least expensive. Earlier this year in Northern Colorado, prices were up to 12 cents higher per gallon at some stations than at others. It doesn't seem like much, but it can make a difference over time.

Use the car only for necessities like getting to and from work. Walk to school, take the local bus and catch a ride home with someone when going home for those needed weekends. A car should be seen as a last resort. If it's too far to walk, or the snow is past your knees, then drive.

Entertainment: Universities and college towns are famous for offering great entertainment at low prices. All you need is $15 to make the weekend worth your while. Use your student ID card for a free ticket to a Friday night football or basketball game.

For your Saturday night, rent a video for $4 instead of going to the movies for $8. However, if you just have to go to that new Adam Sandler movie, bring your student ID and get a discount.

Share a drink for $3 with your date; it's more romantic anyway. Free concerts and school productions make for a fun evening without having to spend any money. These types of events are advertised in your college campus newspaper, or even the local newspaper that you can use for free at the library. Get a group together and see what events are being held on campus.

Keep in mind that money management equals resource management. Budgeting can prevent you from having to munch on stale potato chips when your food money runs out early. Don't spend the last two months of the semester scanning the sidewalks for loose change.

You Had Me at Hello

It’s been weeks of waiting for the most-awaited movie of the year. Yes, whether it’s a suspense thriller movie or a love story, you can always count me in. I love every single line muttered by the characters especially this line, “You had me at hello…” Have you heard this line? Well, the line can really tickle one of us especially those who can relate to the story.

And I’ve got good news to movie freaks like me. You got to watch the Ultimate Flirting Championship where you’ll get to know more about the famous Victory Hair.

Don’t miss your chance of watching all these by logging in at www.VO5VictoryHair.com. You could also play the Extreme Style by VO5 Ultimate Flirting Championship.

When you do, would you mind to tell us how the play went on? You might also want to share your experience at the Championship.

10 Random Things About Me

Here's the rule for this tag:

Once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts, habits, or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. Don't forget to leave them a comment ("You're it") and ask them to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you.

Now, here's my list:

1. I am a work-at-home mom now, doing three roles everyday: freelancer, nanny, housekeeper

2. I always love to be busy, especially if it gives me more "moolah", lolz!

3. I have a sweet tooth...name it, and I'll surely bite them all! yummy!

4. My heart is for the unfortunate ones so I feel like helping whenever I have much for myself.

5. I am a detail-oriented person, so expect me to have my documents and stuffs organized, even important conversation saved in a file. (ebidenxa!)

6. I am friendly, but B-E-W-A-R-E! When I get hurt, I won't let it pass until I get even (An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth) Sorry...

7. I am a dreamer...I want to be a CPA, Interior Designer, Web Designer, Lawyer and NBI agent, but my ultimate dream is to become R-I-C-H!!!

8. I got pregnant at the age of 20 to a cute and smart 'lil boy. I love you my prince!

9. I am uber meticulous when it comes to the tiniest detail at home. I want everything to be organized, arranged in a way that satisfies my eyes, even curtains should flow into place, etc.

10. I may be merciful, but not to arrogant peeps! As long as I am RIGHT, I won't allow you to step on me, ever!

Key to Success: Cisco Certification

I have made a plan of going back to college before I tender my resignation from the previous company I have worked with. My purpose is to finish a degree as I also want to prove that I may have incurred so many failures back then, but I am still here standing with my own two feet.

Since I already had taken two courses before, first was Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Midwifery and next was Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in English, I want to make sure that this time I would be taking a course that is really of my interest and where my passion really lies.

But the problem is I have so many likes, leaving me confused as to what I would really have to take up. Until now that the classes had already started a month ago, I am still here confused and am not yet decided on what to take up. I found myself enjoying the things I am doing right now, which is earning dollars out of being online the whole day and night. What really caught my interest? Well, it’s the amount that pays off my no-sweat work everyday and it all revolves in IT industry.

Although I’m already earning a decent income out of what I am doing, I can’t help to envy those who are working like me in the same site. Why? It’s because they are skilled and certified professionals of IT. Not just that, their rate is far higher than mine. So I have been considering to also get a Cisco certification so I will also be able to compete with them with no hesitations.

Exhausted

It's been a busy day for me again. I am so tired and sleepy...I wish I could cuddle my pillows anytime tonight. But since I've got tons of work to do I have to widen my eyes a little bit more. Arrrgghhhh!!! Anyhow, I am getting used to this so not a problem, really.

Alright, need to continue this stuff before my boss caught me up wandering here hahaha! Goodnight peeps!

Transform your Eyewear

Have you ever done something creative with the way you look? It’s not a tough one though because even the simplest detail that you wear, you can make it turn out into something cool and fashionable. So what do you often wear that makes you look so dull and ordinary? Your eyewear, for instance, can make your face look blank and bored. But that can be transformed into cool and relaxing look when you get the Incredible Stylish New Frames From Zenni. I tell you, Zenni Optical $ 8 Rx Eyeglasses are a must-have these trendy days. So don’t lose hope; now is your chance so go and read the Zenni Optical was on FOX news!.

Direct Mailing List

Both customers and marketers do have their ultimate goal and that is satisfaction. In the case of the marketer, its goal aside from satisfaction is definitely “success” to whatever the objective of the business is. But it goes hand in hand with satisfaction, the satisfaction to see to it that every customer is satisfied with the service that you render. Hence, a marketer will never exist if without a customer. So how are you going to bridge a gap between you and your prospect customers then?

In that case, a direct mailing list is the tool used in this kind of business. This turns out to be a telemarketing list which multiplies in the long run, and so as a marketer with people to handle your interaction with your prospect customers, telemarketing lists is certainly what you need.

Sell House Privately

Home sellers use techniques to sell houses as quick as they can, it’s what they call a housing market tanking. To attract home buyers they have to devise new strategies. One of which you might find funny, but could definitely be an effective way is baking a gingerbread or buying one prior to the buyer’s house visit. Now you may ask what it has to do with the selling of the house. As we all know, freshly baked cookies along with a ginger bread can add aroma to the value of the house once a prospective buyer get a smell of it. You see, smell bidding is the key there.

Anyway, going back to the selling of house, some of you want to sell house privately. As to the question if whether or not you will go to do a trade in or sell the house yourself, it’s all up to you to decide. You just have to be aware that a little effort can still go a long way in increasing the perceived value of your house for sale. When selling house privately, you have to know all the tactics for a quick and wise sell.

At www.sellhousenow.com.au, it will help you get ideas on how you can easily get a buyer of your house. You may want to start cleaning the entire interior and exterior of the house, vacuum the floor if necessary, shampoo the carpets and all. Before you make it available for house visiting, make sure that you’ve done the needed house repairs so as not to get a negative impression from a buyer. You see, it has a similarity to a show room, showing off the best things of your house that whoever get to see it, both the interior and exterior of the house will gasp with awe and at the end would ask for the necessary contract signing to close a deal. It’s pretty easy, and you can do it privately if you wish.

Fuentes for Free

I consider myself as a person with good visual passion, anything that can be seen by my naked eyes appreciate beauty and can also tell what’s not good to see. In other words, I am fond of artistic visual crafts, be it on paper or digital thing, I always go for it. Before when I was just a young girl, I’d do different strokes in a sheet of bond paper, following the different fonts shown in the book. I did that all over again and even applied the skills in making my school projects. All in all, I am always happy and satisfied with the outcome.

And now that digital artistry is prevalent these days, I am grabbing the chance to be always up-to-date. Yes, I also love doing some arts through the use of computer and I am thankful enough that all these digital ideas become possible. That won’t happen if not for the great and talented Webmasters who shared their knowledge and skills to come up with anything that other people will love and fond of.

Using proxys, these talented individuals were able to create different and definitely one of a kind Fuentes. There are almost 31k fonts available for free downloads. At first, when you open their service, you might think that it’s only offered for Spanish people, which isn’t true since it can also be availed by anyone and that’s for free.

Best USA Entertainment

There was a time when I was chatting with hubby’s aunt at the porch. She shared me more stories of her escapades, of her staying single and all. I learned that she is enjoying her life, shopping almost every week, traveling to different countries, and she even shared her USA Online Gambling experience and definitely she’s so excited to tell me more about it. I got so many questions, like how USA Online Casino differ from others. Right then, I told myself that someday I will also try to play in the USA Online Casinos. I searched for it online and it even made me more excited to finally play there.

Consolidate Debt

Economic status has always been my concern since then. Perhaps, it all started when our family suffered from poverty when I was just a kid. Although my brother and I were sent to a private school since grade school, it won’t deny the fact that both of my parents did incur debts just to let us finish our schooling from grade school to high school.

I must therefore say that we were able to go to a good school because of debt. But I’m still proud of my parents, most especially to my mom who did all her best despite their economic status just to provide us with the best education that I can honestly say, worth it.

And now that I am a mother to a two-year-old kid who will be schooling next year, I really have to start saving for his future. Incurring debt is definitely the least thing that I would turn to for his education. I always wanted to be debt-free as it gives me a peace of mind. I know it’s difficult to deal with number of debts. But you need not lose hope if this is also bothering you as there are credit consolidation and debt consolidation that are now available to help you settle with all your debts. Asking help from a debt consolidator is one way to finally help you be free from debt.

I bet no one wishes to forever suffer from debt. So if you are one who can’t find any means of freeing from it, here’s a good deal for you. You better check on it as soon as you realized that there’s really something to back you up. If you are afraid of its availability, you have nothing to worry about because this is offered nationwide. Credit counseling agencies are just around to help you understand everything about incurring debts, and how to become free from it. You will also learn that consolidating debt will help reduce the interest rates, and hopefully, improve your quality life living with your family.

Students Ongoing Top 10 Expenses

Additional tuition, student fees:

• Rent
• Telephone
• Electricity, gas, water
• Cable TV
• Personal property insurance
• Groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries
• Clothing
• Longer term investments
• Semblance of a life

Err on the side of things costing more than you think. Review your budget on a monthly basis. It's not cast in stone; it's intended to help manage income and spending. Catch and correct bad spending habits, and pat yourself on the back for the good ones. It may sound cheesy, but these are good lessons to learn for life.

First Month's Top 10 Expenses

• Tuition, student fees
• Moving expenses
• First month's rent/deposit
• Telephone connection charge
• Electricity, gas, water connection charge
• Cable TV connection charge
• Personal property insurance
• Groceries, cleaning supplies
• Furniture
• Unexpected Expenses

Keep receipts from all your moving expenses, as you may be able to deduct them from employment income taxes or award money that you receive.

Budgeting Tips for Students

Yikes! Who knew life could be so expensive? Tuition, books, school supplies accommodation, food, even a fragment of a LIFE. It's crazy how much it can cost! But, if you budget carefully, you can pull it off. Remember, it's been done before - it can be done again.

Living la vida local

Besides living at home, on-campus residence is generally the least costly form of accommodation, and often includes some sort of meal plan.

A view to a room

Some students prefer to live off-campus renting an apartment, room, or a house. Sharing with one or more roommates is a great way to minimize your living expenses. Most colleges and universities have bulletin boards in the Student Union or other key locations advertising various kinds of accommodation. You should also check the student and local newspapers that are sure to run classified ads for rental accommodation.

The laws of the land

Some landlords may require you to fill out an application. Once they agree to rent to you they may request first and last month's rent. You might find it beneficial to check with your provincial housing offices, tenants association or on-campus housing service to learn both landlord and tenant rights. Make sure you find out if utilities are included with your rent - and get it in writing. If they are not, then remember to budget for them.

The laws of the home

Make sure all roommates co-sign the lease and contribute to any deposits. It's also a good idea to have a written agreement that spells out each person's financial obligations and the sharing of chores.

Nesting bills

If utilities are not included with your rent, a one-time installation fee may be charged - same with a new phone line.

If you can bring furniture from home into an unfurnished accommodation, that would be great. For good furniture deals, try garage sales, Goodwill or Salvation Army, or other second hand furniture shops.

Insurance is something to consider if you own property of value including furniture, appliances, a computer, electronics, etc. Before buying insurance, check with your family to see if their home insurance policy can be extended to cover your possessions.

A tale of two budgets

The first month of student life may be the costliest. There are moving expenses, installation charges, and all kinds of other surprises. Figure on laying out a lot of money in one shot. During the academic year, there will be ongoing costs including rent, utility and service bills, food, clothing, and life. Review your income sources (savings, awards, loans, employment income) and the expenses you anticipate to help you create a reasonable budget. It's homework of a sort, but it's one of those good habits to develop that will let you to focus on your studies.

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Stream Energy Business

News updates has been changing once in a while. But I was caught up by the news on a certain electrical energy provider issue versus the government which has been aired on T.V. for a week already and still hadn’t stopped. As for the latest update on this issue, a famous celebrity actress is unintentionally involved when she grabbed an infomercial offer, explaining about the electricity provider’s side. And the mass people are reacting against it.

And so, some of the authorities have warned the people behind the infomercial to stop it or it will only result to something worst and that they will make some drastic moves regarding the informercial.

It is really something to take seriously these days. If only these people involved that there is actually a great way to solve this problem. And that is when they come to know that a certain electric company business opportunity from which they can find the solution to their needs just to be able to solve the problem that is bothering us all nowadays. This is not like any other mlm opportunity because this is actually what they call as the stream energy business.

So what’s more interesting about this energy business alternative for us is its various benefits that we could enjoy should we get a chance to use it than the previous energy provider we usually get. Here, you are able to earn at the same time consume energy according to your daily needs at home or even in offices. And unlike any other energy provider, this one has a low-cost energy supply to offer us all while helping us get an opportunity to earn from it. If you need further details regarding this, you may visit the site and hopefully, we can all get to enjoy it soon.