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8 Ways To Cut Costs For A Week & Maintain A Budget

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bigstock-Time-To-Communicate-75279877-e1446813441441Saving money can be really challenging — sometimes after basic necessities like food, phone, and rent, it can seem like we already don’t really have anything left to put away. However, there are actually plenty of ways to cut your spending this week alone, and they’re usually in places that we don’t even think about.

In an article on cutting your spending in U.S. News and World Report, CPA and bestselling author of “Save Wisely, Spend Happily,” Sharon Lechter said, “Either you are a master of your money, or a slave to it. Use your mind and have fun.” On her personal website, Lechter suggested many tips for saving more, and the bulk of them come down to small, everyday tips as opposed to huge, life-altering changes. It usually just comes down to becoming aware of the places we spend money without even really thinking about it — like going to an evening movie instead of a cheaper matinee, or buying books when we have a library right down the street.

If you’ve recently taken stock of your finances and decided that you want to spend less and save more but don’t know where to begin, don’t fret. Here are eight extremely simple tips that you can try for a week or two to cut your daily expenses — and they almost all entail minimal self-sacrifice.

1. Figure Out Where You Spend.

OK, this one isn’t really a tip as opposed to a necessary first step to tracking your savings. In an article for U.S News and World Report, Senior Editor of the financial advice site Wisebread.com Meg Favreau said, “Making a budget is the most important thing you can do because then you will be able to understand where your money is going and where you can afford to make cuts.” After the big things, like rent and loan payments, write down everything you spend money on each week — from a morning cup of coffee to dinner out with friends, and tally how much you’re spending “extra.” This will enable to you to know how much you’ll be saving once you begin making adjustments (and for real motivation, multiply how much you spend each month by four and then by 52 to see how much you’re spending in an average month and year).

2. Pack Your Lunch.

Packing a lunch may seem incredibly simple, but I know from personal experience that this can be one of the hardest habits to break (anyone else ever realized they spent $15 on lunch every single day for the last 14 days, and then sometimes also eaten out for dinner too?). In an interview for a Bustle article about meal prep, registered dietician Sumi Tohan said it’s important to be real with yourself about what you’ll realistically eat for lunch each day. “If you plan meals that are too restrictive, full of supposedly good-for-you foods that you hate, it’s more likely that you won’t eat these meals,” Tohan says.

Instead, she recommends including at least one of your favorite foods with each meal and says to “avoid cutting out major food groups, such as carbohydrates, as doing so can leave you feeling hungry, unsatisfied, and with unbalanced nutrition.” So pack things you’re actually looking forward to eating each day, and not running around the corner to grab that $14 salad won’t seem like such a big deal.

3. Cancel Your Cable.

In that same U.S. News and World Report piece, Cameron Huddleston, contributing editor of the personal finance news site Kiplinger.com, recommended canceling your cable altogether. “There are so many other options out there for less, like Netflix and Hulu,” Huddleston said. If you live with roommates, talk about cancelling cable and setup an antennae for basic channels and Hulu and Netflix for everything else – this will add up to a personal monthly cost of about $7 a piece. As much as you may love channel surfing, paying a ton for cable just feels obsolete now.

4. Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs.

Trent Hamm, founder of the financial advice site The Simple Dollar, recommended switching out your regular light bulbs for the energy-saving kind (and also recommended to always be conscious of your thermostat use). It’s super simple and easy, and is a money-saving tip you literally never have to think about once it’s done.

5. Buy Staples In Bulk.

It’s always a good idea to buy things you use every day in bulk. It can feel really hard to put down $25 for something like toilet paper at one time, especially when there are smaller options for $5 nearby. However, buying in bulk can hugely reduce costs in the long-term. Plus, who likes running out of toilet paper?

6. Make Coffee At Home.

This is another one can be a challenge — everyone loves their morning, store-bought coffee. In another U.S. News and World Report piece on ways to cut costs today, retail expert Hitha Prabhakar said, “While a $4 morning coffee can satisfy the soul, it can also hurt the budget.” She recommended investing in a home coffee-maker, saying, “It’s a larger out-of-pocket expense, but it will easily pay for itself over time.” It’s also recommended to invest in some handy coffee-to-go cups so you can have something to carry and drink on your morning commute as well as when you get into the office — this definitely helped curb my desire to buy a cup on my morning commute.

7. Invite Friends Over Instead Of Going Out.

Hamm also recommended inviting friends in for dinner and drinks instead of going out. He noted that while this might seem like legwork, make it a team effort. Everyone can bring one thing and a drink of their choice, and you can make something large and cheap — like a big pasta dish. You’ll almost definitely end up spending significantly less than doing dinner and drinks out.

8. Remember: Exercise Is Free.

In the same U.S. News and World Report piece about cutting costs today, Wisebread blogger Sabah Karimi reminded readers that exercise doesn’t have to equal a costly gym membership. “You could sign up for fitness classes at a neighborhood recreational center, join the YMCA, take advantage of a corporate wellness program or commit to following DVD fitness programs at home,” Karimi said. There are also a ton of 100 percent free workout videos to be found from fitness experts all over YouTube for a super simple, cost-free way to exercise.

Spending less doesn’t mean a life of rice and beans or saying no to every social engagement that comes your way. It’s often just about greater awareness of some of the hidden places we spend money and working towards changing simple behaviors. Try some of the above tips and see how much you save.

*Article source courtesy of Toria Sheffield of Bustle.com.

First Financial Foundation Awards Classroom Grant to Elizabeth Oliva of Monmouth Regional High School

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Press Release

ElizabethOliva

Pictured Above: Elizabeth Oliva, French Teacher at Monmouth Regional High School

Wall, N.J. – Monmouth Regional High School French teacher, Elizabeth Oliva, was surprised by members of the First Financial Foundation with a $500 classroom grant for the 2015-2016 school year.

Ms. Oliva submitted a grant application to purchase digital voice recorders for the Spanish, French, Latin, and English classes in her school. The voice recorders will be used as a tool to provide feedback and constructive criticism to the students’ speaking abilities, as well as assess them for a grade based on their ability to discuss a particular topic. Both students and teachers will benefit from the recorders in order to utilize them in the classroom and also at home.

“These voice recorders would allow students to have more opportunities speaking the language, as well as the ability to hear their pronunciation and annunciation,” said Oliva. “Our goal is to enable our students to communicate in the global world in which we live, to be excited by the differences around the world, and to experience these cultures.”

Since First Financial began with a group of Asbury Park schoolteachers back in 1936, the credit union has not forgotten its educational roots. That is why its Foundation offered current Monmouth and Ocean County educators six (6) classroom grants to use at their schools for the 2015-2016 school year.

“Education has and always will be a pivotal piece of our organization, and we’re delighted to be able to help our local educators enhance their classroom experience,” noted First Financial President & CEO, Issa Stephan.

Stephan also noted that the Foundation committee had a tough job of choosing just six winning teachers out of the numerous applications received this year. “We received dozens of heartening essays from educators hoping to use the grant money to implement or maintain a variety of creative programs in their schools such as purchasing basic skills materials for struggling students, funding a thanksgiving feast for the less fortunate, integrating digital voice recorders for students to practice second languages, new tables for a classroom, iPads, updated software, and pencil grips for students in pre-K through 2nd grade – to name a few,” said Stephan. “We wish we were able to reward each and every one of our participants, and after extremely careful consideration we selected the six classrooms in which we felt the grant money would have the largest impact.”

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About the First Financial Foundation: Since 1994, First Financial has supported the Monmouth & Ocean communities with the Erma Dorrer Scholarship Program. Today, that program has been extended into the First Financial Foundation to assist charitable organizations of the Monmouth & Ocean County Communities.  The First Financial Federal Credit Union Foundation is a non-profit working to support a variety of community programs and organizations throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties.  We direct 100% of your contributions to programs because all administrative expenses are paid for by First Financial Federal Credit Union.  To learn more, visit www.firstffcu.com.

Frequently In Debt? Discover Your Personal Pitfalls

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DebtManagement1.jpgYou don’t have to be a reckless spender to find yourself in debt. CNN touts that “one in three American adults have debt in collections.”

An Urban Institute study reported that 77 million people are so severely in debt that their account has gone to collections, while a Detroit Free Press article warns, “Young adults have more credit card debt than savings.”

Regardless of the angle, debt, severe debt – it’s an American epidemic.

So, how do you climb out of debt once and for all? Especially if you notice a recurring theme of continual debt-to-safety-to-debt wheel of fate, it is important to stop and analyze the causes for initial debt and the reasons for apparent insurmountable financial disease.

As with your medical health, financial heath is propelled by lots of hard work, dedication and realistic awareness. Denial will only perpetuate decaying health, physically or financially.

Step One: Take an honest assessment of your financial situation.

Before you can make a plan for diminishing debt once and for all, you have to understand the severity and expanse of the situation. Take into account all loans: student debt, mortgages and car payments. Know exactly how many credit cards you and your family have – make sure to count retail cards and reward cards in addition to traditional credit cards. Any plastic that can hold a debt/requires payment needs to be acknowledged forthright. Finally, collect all bills: anything that requires a payment plan or regular payment must be added into the mix. When you’re in debt, every $100 medical bill, $25 late fee for utilities or billed car repair must be accounted for.

Step Two: Take responsibility.

Playing the blame game or lying to yourself will not change the circumstances. Nobody cares if you don’t think it’s your fault. You owe the money. You have to pay the money. You can’t talk your way out of substantial debt. Take credit for your own shortcomings and accept the situation.

Step Three: Educate yourself and your family.

Money management is not an innate human skill. We are not born knowing how to allot, predict, and plan with 100 percent accuracy. And, sometimes, it is due to sheer ignorance that adults find themselves in debt. Whether or not a lack of financial education or money illiteracy is the root cause, understanding how credit works and how to budget are both beneficial life skills.

Step Four: Set realistic goals, with the end result being permanently digging yourself out of debt.

Each step should be attainable and based on practicality. However, do not fall into the mindset that “it’s going to take too long, so it’s not worth it.” Keep your eyes on the goal, but use baby steps to get there if necessary.

A good thing to do is to create a visual aid for you to help you along, like a financial plan. The important thing to remember is that your plan is a guide, not a crutch. It is a tool to keep you on track. Like any good guide, though, it can be tweaked to meet your needs and adjusted based on what obstacles you encounter on your journey to financial security.

Step Five: Perseverance.

It’s not an easy path. It’s not fun. The journey is oftentimes downright painful. But, avoidance and half-hearted efforts will not grant you the ability to squeak by. Debt can affect marriage, stress levels, relationships, and your future, but people often aren’t motivated enough to make a change. Many times, just climbing out of debt is not the largest challenge, it’s maintaining the healthy financial security that is attained through a debt-free life.

*Original article source written by Joe Young of Nasdaq.

9 Basic Pieces of Money-Saving Advice No One Follows – But Should

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download (1)Good advice can be hard to take – especially when it comes to money. Often, the thing that’s best for us is the thing we really don’t want to do. Saving more and spending less is boring; why do that when you can have fun now?

Well, you know what else sounds boring? Working for the next 50 years.

There are some very basic pieces of money advice that experts give, but no one seems to follow. So, let’s make a deal: How about we start listening to what these experts are saying? The sooner we start, the sooner we’ll reach our financial goals.

Here are nine pieces of financial advice you need to stop ignoring.

  1. Run your financial life like a business. You should treat your budget like a business because, in the business of life, the bottom line matters. Many of the same principles business owners use can be applied to your personal life: prioritize, assess and restrain. Everything that keeps a business running will keep your personal finances in order: prioritize your spending, assess your profits and losses, and don’t lose sight of the big picture, like saving for retirement or getting out of debt. This is fairly common advice, but when it comes to actually saving and making more money, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy. Just like every business has its own unique goals and needs, you will too – so manage accordingly.
  2. Make saving part of your lifestyle. Saving money doesn’t always come naturally. Successful savers usually fail a few times (or more) before they figure out what works best for them. It’s easy to get discouraged and give up, but just like exercising and eating well, saving money takes a while to get right. It’s also important to remember that a frugal lifestyle doesn’t mean living in deprivation. People who live with less and save more know where to cut back. Even shrinking your grocery bill by just $15 a week will save $780 a year – imagine all the other little cutbacks that are possible. So instead of making drastic lifestyle changes, build your savings muscle slowly by making small adjustments over time. After a while, you won’t even notice a difference – except in your bank account balance.
  3. Save the difference. Are you a bargain hunter, coupon clipper or thrifty shopper? What do you do with all the money you save? If you’re like most consumers, you just spend it on something else. The point of getting a discount is to save money, right? The next time you get a discount or score a sweet deal, save the difference of what you didn’t spend.
  4. Automate the process. This is a piece of money-saving advice that is echoed by nearly every financial expert. Paying yourself first is the first step, which means setting up an automatic transfer from your checking account into a savings or investment vehicle. You can set up one large transfer to go through monthly, weekly or whenever works best for your finances – as long as it’s automatic, you’ll be saving without even realizing it. Some experts recommend transferring a portion of your paycheck into savings, and once you reach a certain balance, transfer any additional funds into an investment account. If you aren’t sure where to start, try automatically transferring 10 percent of each paycheck and see how that feels.
  5. Seek advice on your 401(k). It’s official: People with 401(k)s are better savers, according to a study last year by Natixis Global Asset Management. Want to get the best returns out of your nest egg? Get professional help. The study found 74 percent of people who see a financial advisor for 401(k) advice know exactly how much they need to have saved by the time they retire. Set up your complimentary appointment with First Financial’s Investment & Retirement Center to discuss your retirement and investment goals. Contact the IRC at 732.312.1500, or mary.laferriere@lpl.com or maureen.mcgreevy@lpl.com.
  6. Save your spare change. We all have loose change filling our pockets or strewn on our bedside tables. Start banking that change, and you could put a serious dent in your savings goals. For example, putting just 50 cents a day in a jar can help you save nearly $200 over the course of a year. Some experts also recommend only using paper money for daily expenses, such as coffee and lunch, and then saving the difference. If you don’t carry cash, consider using an app like Acorns, which invests your spare change for you.
  7. Fill a need. Many experts say the trick to making money (so you can save more of it, of course) starts with thinking about others before you think about yourself. Basically, the path to success starts by first identifying a need and then filling it. Your earnings are a byproduct of how well you serve your audience. So, focus on filling your customers’ or boss’ needs, or solving a problem, and you will likely make more money (whether through a raise or increased profits). This concept can also be used for people who freelance or want to start a side business – find out what people want, and give it to them; you’ll be in high demand.
  8. Live like a student. No, you don’t have to survive on a diet of ramen and frozen burritos in order to get ahead, but you can take a lesson from struggling students everywhere and learn to live with less. If you are just starting out in the workforce, try living on half your paycheck. Since you’re probably already used to living off very little, half your paycheck should be enough to get by. Meanwhile, you’ll pad a robust savings account with the equivalent of a full paycheck each month. For those who aren’t fresh out of college and have large expenses like a mortgage or child care, try saving a penny of each dollar you make; then, step it up another penny every six months. In five years, you’ll be saving 10 percent of every dollar you make; in 10 years, you’ll be saving 20 percent.
  9. Trick yourself. Many behavioral economists say mental accounting (i.e., treating different piles of money with different intentions) helps trick your brain into better budgeting and saving. This strategy might sound a little complicated, but it’s really a take on the classic envelope system, where you allocate your paycheck to a weekly or monthly budget and put the cash into different envelopes – one for each budget category. Once the envelopes are empty, your budget is maxed out.

What’s the Most Dangerous Kind of Identity Theft?

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6a0154366bdf49970c017d4230dc0a970c-800wiLike the thieves behind the crime, identity theft can take on many disguises depending on the information stolen. When identity theft goes undetected, these crimes can not only cost victims their money, but also their health and well-being.

It’s nearly impossible to avoid identity theft, but awareness and vigilance are key to fixing the problem if you do get hit. As each kind of identity theft could be more deadly than the next, here are three particularly dangerous types of identity theft.

Child ID Theft

  • What makes it dangerous: Thieves often go after children’s identities through stealing data from schools or even taking their relatives’ information. Children will likely not know they were victims until they grow older and are denied for their first loan, credit card or even housing – because of a poor credit history. This blemished credit report could cause them to be denied new lines of credit, which could stunt their financial wealth.
  • How to avoid this identity theft: Check your child’s credit by requesting a free credit report (you can get your own credit reports for free once a year) and dispute and close any unauthorized accounts that were opened.

Medical ID Theft

  • ​​What makes it dangerous: Although consumers may think their medical information is not a target for cybercriminals, healthcare companies are becoming increasingly targeted. Data breaches in the healthcare sector could result in your information falling into the hands of thieves who could then use this data to take advantage of medical services. A report by the Ponemon Institute found medical identity theft has risen 22%, resulting in patients’ health information potentially being mixed up with thieves’, which could lead to potentially deadly medical mistakes.
  • How to avoid this identity theft: Always read the data privacy statement your healthcare provider gives you before agreeing to the terms and monitor your accounts in case of fraud.

Tax ID Theft

  • What makes it dangerous: Tax fraud through identity theft is an easy way for criminals to make money. The Internal Revenue Service has been known to give out billions in fraudulent tax refunds.
  • How to avoid this identity theft: File your income taxes early each tax season and shred any and all documents with your personal information on it.

While medical identity theft is dangerous in almost every aspect of your well-being – from a health to a financial standpoint – these other types of identity theft could also pose a threat to your or your loved ones’ futures. By protecting your personal information, you could help curb this crime and keep yourself from becoming a victim. Any large, unexpected changes in your score could signal new-account fraud and a sign that other serious forms of identity theft are on the way.

*Original article source written by Patricia Oliver of USA Today.

7 Easy Ways to Save More Money Today

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downloadSaving more money doesn’t necessarily mean giving up restaurant meals for good or never buying a new outfit again. In fact, there are plenty of ways to save money without making too many sacrifices. The following seven ideas might take a bit of extra effort, but they also have the potential to pay off, right into your bank account.

  1. Get healthy. For people who struggle to stay fit, eating healthy and staying in shape is easier said than done. But for those who are in good shape, you can save a lot of money on life insurance and individual health insurance plans. And as an added bonus, you’ll feel better and have more energy. You don’t have to join a pricey gym, either: You can take up walking or jogging, or download a free app that helps walk you through different exercise programs.
  2. Rethink auto insurance. Every year, re-examine your auto insurance policy for savings opportunities. For example, consider raising your deductible, which lowers premiums. For older vehicles, evaluate whether you really need collision coverage, which covers damage to your car when your car hits or is hit by another vehicle or object. And make it a habit to compare auto insurance quotes annually, which can be done online in minutes. (While you’re at it, consider taking time to compare other insurance policies that you currently have, including homeowners insurance).
  3. Improve your credit score. Of all the painless ways to save money, improving your credit score is arguably the most important. From home loans and car loans, to credit cards and auto insurance, a good credit score can save you a small fortune. Over a lifetime, the savings can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars. The simplest way to improve your credit score is to make on-time payments each month on all of your accounts.
  4. Think triple play. One of the biggest monthly expenses for some is the cost of Internet service, cable and phone. The majority of providers offer discounts when you bundle all three of these services together. Called a triple play, you not only save money, but you also get the convenience of a single bill each month.
  5. Go prepaid with your cellphone. While this option won’t be right for everybody, many can save a small fortune with prepaid cellphones. You can find prepaid cellphone plans that start at $25 a month. And because they are prepaid, you don’t have to commit to long-term contracts. Two of the more popular prepaid cellphone carriers are NET10 Wireless and Cricket.
  6. Shop online. There are several benefits to shopping online – convenience being chief among them. But shopping online can also save big money. Many retailers offer special discounts to online shoppers. And virtually every company that sells products or services online offers promo codes, discounts or coupons. Particularly if you have a big purchase, make sure to search the Internet for deals before buying. You can also track discounts and coupons through online tools, including RetailMeNot and PriceGrabber.
  7. Get cash back. If you have good credit, there are a number of cash-back credit cards that pay up to 5 percent on purchases. The key is to use the card for monthly bills and everyday expenses, not to charge things you don’t need. Put monthly bills that accept credit cards on automatic payment, and use the card for everyday purchases such as groceries and gas. And as an extra precaution against overspending, pay the credit card bill in full several times throughout the month. It’s easy to do online, and it prevents any surprises at the end of the month.

*Original article source courtesy of US News – Money.