Smart Ways to Stretch Your Dollars
Issue date: 1/11/09 Section: FYI
(ARA) - For many of us, the New Year will be full of resolutions. Most people resolve to get in shape and eat right, but especially in these times, it's wise to make financial resolutions and find ways to spend smart and save in the upcoming year.
Jennifer Openshaw, successful author, radio host and financial expert, offers the following smart tips to stretch your dollars in 2009:
CHANGE THE CHANNELS
We all have services we no longer need. Do you really watch all your cable channels? Have you got hundreds of unused cell phone minutes you're still paying for? A second home phone line you never use? Gym membership you don't want? They all made sense at one time, but what about now? Take inventory. Check your bills and credit card statements. Find the suspects, and then ask yourself, "Do I really need this?"
MAKE IT LAST LONGER! CLEAN IT. FIX IT. KEEP IT.
Simply put, it pays to make things last longer. Cars, furniture, computers or the deck on the back of your house -- a little care can pay big rewards. So dedicate time (and maybe a little money) to really cleaning up that old car. "My friend has saved megabucks by keeping his Ford Explorer in good shape for 17 years. Some folks buy three new cars in that amount of time," says Openshaw.
USED DOESN'T MEAN ABUSED
Quite often, "used" goods will work just as well as new ones -- and cost a fraction of the price. "Used" also includes open box and returned items in stores. "I just bought a lawnmower. New $439, I got it for $129 -- used twice maybe -- and runs perfect!" says Openshaw. Learning to buy used if you don't already can also be a great way to save on items you need. By becoming a member of an online shopping portal or community of sellers like eBay or Craigslist, you'll open up a two-way road of buying and selling -- and saving along the way.
SAVE WHILE YOU SPEND
Use coupons, look for sales or sign up for a savings program like Keep the Change from Bank of America that helps you save money while you spend (BankofAmerica.com).
Jennifer Openshaw, successful author, radio host and financial expert, offers the following smart tips to stretch your dollars in 2009:
CHANGE THE CHANNELS
We all have services we no longer need. Do you really watch all your cable channels? Have you got hundreds of unused cell phone minutes you're still paying for? A second home phone line you never use? Gym membership you don't want? They all made sense at one time, but what about now? Take inventory. Check your bills and credit card statements. Find the suspects, and then ask yourself, "Do I really need this?"
MAKE IT LAST LONGER! CLEAN IT. FIX IT. KEEP IT.
Simply put, it pays to make things last longer. Cars, furniture, computers or the deck on the back of your house -- a little care can pay big rewards. So dedicate time (and maybe a little money) to really cleaning up that old car. "My friend has saved megabucks by keeping his Ford Explorer in good shape for 17 years. Some folks buy three new cars in that amount of time," says Openshaw.
USED DOESN'T MEAN ABUSED
Quite often, "used" goods will work just as well as new ones -- and cost a fraction of the price. "Used" also includes open box and returned items in stores. "I just bought a lawnmower. New $439, I got it for $129 -- used twice maybe -- and runs perfect!" says Openshaw. Learning to buy used if you don't already can also be a great way to save on items you need. By becoming a member of an online shopping portal or community of sellers like eBay or Craigslist, you'll open up a two-way road of buying and selling -- and saving along the way.
SAVE WHILE YOU SPEND
Use coupons, look for sales or sign up for a savings program like Keep the Change from Bank of America that helps you save money while you spend (BankofAmerica.com).
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