Thirteen Things about PERSONAL FINANCE

I’ve been working on my personal finance situation a lot lately! Here are several tools and tips that I’ve come to depend on!

1. PearBudget: I know I’ve talked about this before, but I just have to put one more plug in. Everyone needs a budget, at least when they’re first getting started with personal finance management, and PearBudget is a great program that is free, super easy, and will keep you using it! I’ve been on it for more than 2 months now, which is a HUGE achievement, LOL!

2. Next, you need a way to keep up with your accounts. There’s the old paper and pencil checkbook ledger, but we’re on our computers for everything else, why not managing our finances! I’ve used both Microsoft Money and Quicken Personal Finance, and they are both great tools!

3. Almost any personal finance site that you read tells you that you need to have an emergency savings fund, just in case something happens like you have to go to the hospital, or you get laid off. The amount that goes in this fund varies - a great place to start is $1000, and many sites recommend you keep 3-6 months worth of living expenses. The most common complaint: I can’t afford to put money into an emergency savings fund! The most common reply: You can’t afford NOT to do this. I’ve got 2 that I’m working on right now. My immediate emergency savings fund is through my bank, and I’m currently building a long-term (the 3-6 months one) emergency savings fund in a high-interest savings account. The immediate one is in case I need the money RIGHT NOW - I can get it from an ATM. The long-term one is accessible within a few days, and it will grow because of the interest! Free money!

4. High-interest savings account? How do I get one of those? I’m currently setting up accounts through ING Direct, and I’m LOVING it so far. The interest rate is 4.4% - how crazy is that?! Accounts like these are run through the internet - there is no physical bank, and you don’t get checks. They’re just savings accounts. There are many other financial institutions, but ING allows you to set up sub accounts, which is too cool! I have sub-accounts for my emergency fund, travel fund, medical expenses fund, etc. And all are gonna earn 4.4% interest!

5. I Will Teach You To Be Rich - I’ve blogged about it before, but again, I have to mention it. There are so many different concepts, ideas, and terms that I am so clueless on, and this site explains them in a simple, no nonsense way that will make things clear! Amazing.

6. Don’t want to wade through all the personal finance sites? Then just get the goodies through the Carnival of Personal Finance every week! You’ll find topics about EVERYTHING, and there are three or four sites that I’ve found through reading the carnival that I’ve stuck with.

7. Get an Entertainment Book. They only cost about $20, but there are hundreds (probably thousands) of great coupons and savings in the book. Well worth the money spent!

8. Invest. There are many different kinds of investments (see my #5, he explains them all), but make sure that you are investing. The type of fund that I keep seeing more and more recommendations for is a Roth IRA, which I am still learning about. It involves investing your money and paying the taxes now, and then when you withdraw it, it will be tax-free (no matter how much more taxes are at the time).

9. Another great way to invest - the stock market. Ahhh, don’t be scared. If you read up on what to do, and find a great place to invest with, then you’ll do fine. And the place I’ve seen mentioned over and over again is ShareBuilder. As soon as I start to receive a regular income (aka, when I get out of grad school), I will be investing with ShareBuilder - the fees aren’t bad, and they’re not gonna try to trip you up because you have no idea what you’re doing.

10. Shop at discount stores and buy in bulk! You’ll be amazed at how much you can save at places like Costco and Sam’s Club! However, be wary . . . pay attention to the costs, and divide by how many you’re getting. Are you really saving? Discount stores can be great as long as you play it smart!

11. Take advantage of websites that offer promotions. For example: you need to buy a book for your Bible study in two weeks, and there was a CD you were wanting to get. You could go to Barnes and Noble or Borders that is right by your house . . . or you could go online and get them from Amazon.com for cheaper. And if you spend $25, it’s free shipping, so it’s like you bought it in person. You just have to wait a few days. So why not go for the discount? Or, even better! Do you buy books/DVDs/CDs/software/toys/groceries a lot? Do you shop on Amazon.com A LOT?! Then become a prime member. For a reasonable fee you get free 2 day shipping and significantly discounted overnight shipping. I was offered a free 3 month trial, and I loved it so much that I paid the fee. Now I NEVER buy these things from expensive stores in person! Click here for details!!!

12. Cook at home - don’t eat out, don’t go to fast food restaurants. I’ve been experimenting with my spending lately, and it’s AMAZING how much I’ve saved in food costs!

13. Want a great new opportunity to save HUGE on virtually anything you can buy online? I’m an IBO member, and we sell everything - we have our own product lines as well as partnerships for huge discounts on stores like Barnes and Noble, Office Depot, Dell, Things Remembered, Shop.com, Joann’s Fabrics, and SOOOOO many more! We run the business through Quixtar. The discounts alone are worth it, but if you’re a member, you get a check back based on your purchases and the purchases of your customers. Take a look, and if you’re interested in buying something, let me know! I can set you up as a client with ZERO obligation. Or, if you want to take a great opportunity and are interested in making some money, let me know, and we’ll discuss!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thirteen Things about LINDSEY

1. Moved into the new apartment this week! It is freakin’ huge - it’s awesome. It almost feels live a small house instead of an apartment. Matt and Ben haven’t moved in yet (well, most of Matt’s stuff has, but that’s because it was at my apartment since he’s in Europe right now), so I’m trying to get all the kitchen stuff put away and the living room in order so that when they are ready to move in, it will be ready to go!

2. On Monday we leave for our European cruise! We are all sooooooo crazy excited!

3. Since I will not be in the country on a Thursday until mid-July, this may be my last Thursday Thirteen for a while. I will probably still be able to blog (there is wireless on the ship), but I doubt that I will have enough computer time to make up my TT, and it’s even less likely that that time will be on a Thurday. So . . . we’ll see. Don’t think I’ve abandoned you ;-)!

4. I’ve been trying to get more active in Bookcrossing.com. I always thought that it was a neat concept, but I never really got into it because I didn’t want to get rid of my books. I’m a bookophile (is that a word?), and the thought of leaving my books places was just terrifying. Then I sorted through a ton of my books and found some that I was going to give away anyway, so I released them. I think I may be addicted now - it is soooo rewarding.

5. In my process of rediscovering Bookcrossing.com, I learned that there is a huge community within Bookcrossing.com of people who trade books back and forth. What better way to get rid of one of your old books than to ship it to someone who has a book you want! You get a book that’s on your wishlist, and all it costs is the shipping price of your old book! One site dedicated solely to this is BookRelay. You must be a member of Bookcrossing.com to join, but I’ve already traded 3 books on this site - sooo cool.

6. As a part of getting the new place set-up, I finally got . . . my new computer. Yes, I still have, and primarily use, my laptop, but now I have a pretty shiny new Dell XPS 200 desktop PC! This completes #65 on my 101 in 1001. The PC is the center hub for all our networking in the apartment - not only is our wireless and networking for the 3 laptops run off of here, but it will also network our printers, the TiVo . . . it’s awesome. And, while it is definitely my computer (and Sims 2 and Star Wars KOTOR II will be installed soon), it is also the unofficial MagicMouth computer, so that we have a central place for all of THAT stuff! I’m excited ;-)!

7. Also as a part of the move, I’m sorting through all the papers, notes, and textbooks from my undergraduate classes. This completes #52 on my 101 in 1001.

8. I finally got my email all sorted out and organized. I did this a few months ago, but I’ve kept with it, so now I can cross off #63 on my 101 in 1001.

9. My mom bought us a table and set of chairs for the apartment . . . I mean, a really nice one. Pottery Barn. They are soooo gorgeous, I am in love. Look at them in the mahogany stain!

10. Ben has a pet ferret. His name is Bocephus (which also happens to be my little brother’s childhood nickname, how coincedental is that?). Bocephus is coming to live with us. Any suggestions on keeping my sanity? I’m very concerned about the smell . . .

11. I think I may have to try and convince my family to go to P.F. Chang’s once I get home tomorrow. We had it the day before I left home a couple of weeks ago, but the craving is strong already . . .

12. Does anyone know of any good websites to get rid of old textbooks? I know that you can do it on Amazon and Half.com, but I was wondering if there is some secret place that is good that I don’t know about. I have many that I really want to get rid of . . .

13. Today I will be spending the rest of the day sorting/organizing/cleaning the kitchen. If I’m not too exhausted by the end, perhaps I will work on my room some more. Wish me luck ;-)!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Leave me a comment and I’ll give you a shout out!