Archives December 2022

Reducing Clothing Costs

Reducing Clothing CostsFor most of us, clothing is not just a necessity – it’s also a fun shopping experience and a very personal and emotional buy. Unfortunately, that sort of thinking can land you in huge debt. Some people run up their credit cards and take out personal loans to finance a wonderful wardrobe. Some shoppers even take out costly payday loans to buy those must-have shoes and outfits. Here’s how to save cash while still looking great:
Take the emotions out of clothes. Advertisers spend billions of dollars ensuring that you view clothing as an ultimate expression of yourself, but savvy ads mean fashion mistakes as well as money mistakes. Buying that designer bag will not make you look better – buying the right clothes will. If you have a hard time breaking the designer habit, indulge in a wardrobe consultant service for a day. This investment will show you how to buy beautiful clothes without breaking the bank.
Strategize. Clothes are meant to be worn together, and you will have more clothing options with less money if you create a color scheme that allows you to create lots of great looks with fewer individual items. This is a secret French women – known all over the world for their style – swear by.
Look for less expensive ways to buy. Consignment stores and vintage stores sell great looks at a fraction of the price of retail chains. Factory outlet stores and sales can also be a budget-friendly way to build your closet up.…

Debt Bills

Debt BillsIf you have loans a significant amount of your monthly paycheck could be going towards debt bills. In fact, if you have enough debt you could have trouble getting from one paycheck to the next while keeping up with all these bills. If you’re falling behind, payday loans may be a tempting way to pay your bills on time. Before you borrow money to pay for money borrowed, though, consider.

Before you start borrowing to pay for money you’ve already borrowed, make sure that you have a good repayment plan in place, so you’ll just dig yourself deeper and deeper in debt. Consider consolidating your loans, seeking lower cost loans, or doing anything else to make your payments more affordable. Do not take out a payday loan until you take this step, or you’ll be applying a band-aid solution to a serious problem.

If you are faced with a choice between a payday loan and being late on existing loans, check out the penalties. If you wait until your next paycheck to pay your debt bills, how much interest and penalties will you accrue? Compare this to the cost of a payday loan. If the payday loan is less expensive, consider the loan – but only as a one-time solution. Then work very hard to find long-term solutions for making your bills affordable.…

How to Pay Less for Electronics

How to Pay Less for ElectronicsElectronics –- including video systems, gaming systems, televisions and stereos – can easily cost you a great deal of money. Of course, you want to have nice electronics in your home – but you don’t have to pay a small fortune. Here’s how to save big:
Buy technology that is at least a year old. The very newest electronics will always cost more because they are new. In six months to a year, though, this stuff will drop rapidly in value. Plus, every new generation of a technology will be stronger and better, so it really pays to wait a little.
Shop retail stores for information – but check out used electronics and factory outlets. Look at the prices on electronics available at your local retail stores but then compare prices on used electronics and factory outlets. You might be able to find a good deal. Be sure to check out refurbished electronics too – these are electronics that have been returned on warranty and repaired. They are virtually new, often still on warranty, and come with a tiny price tag.
Pay cash. Avoid getting personal loans, store financing, credit card advances or payday loans to pay for electronics. This is definitely an item you will want to save and budget for, since paying extra interest on your purchase will drive your price up further.…