January 2012 Archives -

We Won What?!

January 31, 2012 By Hannah 18 Comments

As many of you know Jon and I are engaged and will be married in May. We are ecstatic and can hardly wait to start our lives together. When we first got engaged we both began looking at honeymoon destinations. Thankfully, due to our similar tastes our hearts were both set on somewhere warm and tropical. We began looking at the Caribbean and the Bahamas. I live in the South so Mexico and Hawaii were just not feasible. We’re going to have to drive cross country after the honeymoon and we didn’t want to backtrack too much. Too much travel and definitely too costly!

Dream honeymoon or not

Jon wanted our honeymoon to be spectacular, a week we’d never forget. Don’t get me wrong, I did too, but I was more interested in pursuing a more frugal honeymoon spot. My head was spinning with possibilities of spending that money on practical stuff—not a one week honeymoon. Thankfully, I am marrying a man who wants to spoil me every once in awhile…or we’d probably always take the frugal route!

When pop-ups are a good thing

Well, I digress. In lue of our plans I also signed up for TheKnot.com to give me advice about novel DIY projects for the wedding/reception, to garner miscellaneous tips for our big day and to explore possible vacation spots. I also joined the site in order to publish our own personal “wedding website” to let people share in our joy! Jon and I began discussing various possibilities for honeymoon spots while I was clicking through TheKnot. Suddenly, an ad pops up and prompts me to register for a sweepstakes which would enter me to win a free honeymoon. I jokingly mention it to Jon and say heck, maybe I should enter us! Those sweepstakes seem to always be a waste of time because the likelihood of winning is typically one in a million. I wasn’t in a rush that day, however, so I gave the appropriate information and went on my merry way.Months later, with the sweepstakes out of my mind, I receive an email saying:

Hi Hannah,
My name is —- —-. I am an Account Manager with the XO Group. I am very pleased to inform you that you have been randomly selected as the winner of the Puerto Vallarta Romantic Getaway Sweepstakes, with XO Group, which you entered through TheKnot.com!
You have won the following:
Prize Package Details:
• A 4-night/5-day stay for 2 at a top, all-inclusive luxury hotel.
• 2 international flights from any international hub, for a value of up to $1,000 US.
• Your choice of:
o An adventure package (includes horseback riding, ATV tours, zip lining and swimming with dolphins).
o A romantic package (includes spa treatments, a private dinner on the beach and a mariachi serenade).

Approximate Retail Value of the Grand Prize is $5,000.00 U.S. Dollars. Actual retail value varies based on travel dates and accommodations.

The Grand Prize winner is responsible for compliance with all applicable federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the payment of all applicable taxes.
*Please consult the Puerto Vallarta Romantic Getaway Sweepstakes pdf for additional details
Before we can have Puerto Vallarta issue the trip certificates, we need you to complete the attached affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release which will also need to be notarized. When completed please sign and mail a copy to my attention by no later than December 9, 2011. Our address 195 Broadway 25th Floor NY, NY 10007. Alternatively, we have a secure fax line that I can provide you with.
Also, please include a copy of your driver’s license for age verification and your social security number (in order to file a 1090 on your behalf for tax purposes). If you aren’t comfortable providing your social security number digitally, you can give it verbally by calling me at the below number. Your information must be received by no later than December 9, 2011—otherwise your prize will be forfeited.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. Once again-congratulations!
Best,
—- —-

Is this for real?!

This was the second email I received from her and I had just overlooked it. I mean, I didn’t know anybody by her name and I certainly was not easily scammed. I read it over and my heart leaped. Suddenly, the sweepstakes I entered months ago vaguely popped into my mind. I yelled to my dad to come and check this out and he, being as leery, if not more, than I, told me not to get my hopes up. I called her and I also did some research of my own. I was most certainly not handing my personal info over to someone who could be a scammer. Therefore, I explained my concerns to her and she willingly sent me links to their legal department. I also explored TheKnot.com more just to go above and beyond careful to make sure they were members of the BBB.

The crazy thing about receiving this email that Friday was Jon and I were preparing to book our flights/hotel accommodations at the Dominican Republic that very weekend. Had I not responded, I was only a few days away from forfeiting the trip! Over the next few weeks after finding out the hotels we were offered and the details regarding it, I sent it the affidavit still stunned. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop! It never did!

It gets even better

I was put into touch with a travel agent and he is now taking care of our hotel reservations and flights. Jon wanted us to be able to stay an extra day, so we asked “Gustavo” to book us for an additional day in Puerto Vallarta at our expense. Well, Gustavo accidentally booked our plane fare for two extra days. I apologetically explained to him that we couldn’t pay for two extra days and he swiftly responded that they would gladly cover both days. I was in complete shock. We both were! Now are 4 night 5 day honeymoon has turned into a 6 night 7 day one, all inclusive, an adventure package (swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, horseback riding) and free airfare! Not to mention Gustavo is taking care of the entire airfare. The fine print says that if it is over $1,000 for both flights we must pay for the rest. Not so! We are getting it all at no cost.

Feeling so blessed

Let me just tell you, Jon and I have felt extraordinarily blessed. We don’t deserve this, but it has really helped financially and taken a lot of stress off the extensive planning. It feels like the Lord has given us this trip as a “wedding present.”

We’re so excited about going on our honeymoon and we’ll let you guys know how it all goes when we get back. We’re still in the stage of shock and awe!

**There were 1,100 participants and we were the only ones chosen randomly in the sweepstakes.

Have you ever won anything? If so, what was it? What was your reaction?

P.S. I just got the 1099 tax info back from the XO group….so if that’s not proof of it being legit, I don’t know what is!

Filed Under: Life Experience

Showing Your Lunch Break Who’s Boss!

January 30, 2012 By Jon the Saver 12 Comments

It still amazes me to this day how people waste their lunch breaks. I’m sure you can relate. Think of all the people you’ve seen play online poker, surf the web needlessly, or even stare off into the distance as they eat lunch. Lunch breaks can be used a tool instead of a time waster.

Now, let me clarify something. I’m not saying it’s wrong for people to waste their lunches away, it’s really their prerogative. However, it annoys me when people complain that they don’t have enough time in their day to talk to their wife, start working out, or even read a book. It’s nonsense!

I personally use lunch breaks for productivity boosts. As I run this blog, I use my personal break time to reach my goals faster. And some days I use my lunch break to catch up on work emails so I don’t have to stay late. Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency. I like to work smarter, not harder.

Instead of wasting your lunch break away, let’s look at some ways you can use your lunch break to better yourself and use the time effectively!

Make your next lunch break EPIC

Get active. Unless you live in remote Alaska where it’s negative 30 degrees outside, try to step out of your office and get active! Being stuck inside of an ugly office all day is no fun. It’s time to get outside and enjoy a little fresh air and sunshine. Getting physical activity in at work has also shown to increase productivity in the workplace.

Catch up on current world events. Work can get hectic, and sometimes you lose touch with what’s going on in the real world. Use your lunch break to read the Drudge Report and catch up on what’s going on around our world. Not only is it good to know what’s happening but you won’t sound clueless when your boss asks you about current events.

Work on a side business. It seems like people are scared to start a business or even work on personal stuff during their lunch break. It’s your legal right to do whatever you want on your lunch break! Take this time to start a side business. You could be networking or starting an online company. The sky’s the limit.

Catch up on work emails. If you’re in a demanding industry such as construction, sometimes there is more work than can get done in a day. This usually means staying late. Oftentimes I use my lunch break to catch up on work emails so I can leave work at a normal time. And let me tell you, I hate working overtime!

Get a quick massage. Yes, I’m a guy and I also enjoy massages! If I was less frugal, I would do this too. Thankfully I have a fiancée who does it for me these days This can be a quick escape once a week during a lunch break. A happy back is a happy employee.

Run errands. This is one that I do a lot. Whether it’s taking mail to the post office, getting oil changes for my Acura, or even doing some quick grocery shopping, it’s a wonderful time to knock some errands off my to-do list and free up some time for the coming weekend!

Call a loved one you haven’t talked to in a while. We all live very busy lives. But when’s the last time you’ve called your parents or even a sibling. Make an effort to use your next lunch break to reconnect with someone. You’ll make someone’s day, trust me.

Read a book. I’m guilty of not reading more often. Reading has been shown to increase brain power and your vocabulary. Grab a book and make it your goal to finish it within a certain timeframe. I’m torn between Tom Clancy and Stephen King for my next one.

Flip through your favorite magazine. I’ve always enjoyed a fresh edition of Popular Science or even ESPN. I love catching up on the world around me through magazines. This would be a cool as well as a relaxing idea to spend your lunch.

Decorate your office. Man, if you saw my office you’d think I worked in a prison! I plan on doing some decorating but it will have to happen during my next lunch break. You too can take some time during lunch and spruce up your office. Who knows, you may find yourself buying a rock fountain for your office space.

Go for a Starbucks run. Do I enjoy a Starbucks brew on a rare occasion? Heck yes I do! Instead of wasting your time surfing the web on your lunch break, why not grab your car keys and hit the road and find your nearest Starbucks. It’s going to help you relax by going out and leaving work for a couple minutes. Not only will it clear your head but it’s a fun outing to make with some of the co-workers you actually enjoy being around.

Take a power nap. This one totally depends on your employer. I understand that most employers would never allow this but it’s technically your right to take a nap on your lunch break! Studies have shown that a mid-day nap can improve productivity. Imagine that!

Save someone’s life. Did you know that giving blood can save not one but numerous people?! Why not hunt down your local blood drive center and give some of your precious blood away.

So, what’s your excuse?

If after reading this article you still choose to waste your lunch break away, I’ve failed to convince you then! Hopefully you take initiative and actually do some of these activities. I for one hate wasting time, especially if it’s my own personal time.

If you start using your lunch break wisely I can assure you that you will become addicted to it! Soon, you’ll have all your errands and shopping done that you won’t have anything to do on the weekends!

So, did I miss anything? If you have an additional activity to add to this list, please comment below!

Filed Under: Career, Life Experience

Why a Young Conservative Supports Ron Paul

January 27, 2012 By TJ 7 Comments

Ever since Congressman Ron Paul has risen in the polls among the Republican presidential candidates - culminating in a third place finish in the Iowa Caucus and second place in the New Hampshire Caucus - there has been a lot written about him and his political stances.

Even among those whom I speak to about it, I’ve noticed a consistent pattern of bemusement over the reason for Ron Paul’s popularity, specifically with young conservatives.

I don’t expect to convert many peoples’ political beliefs, but I would like to attempt to explain why young conservatives like myself support Ron Paul’s presidential campaign in the hopes that there might be better understanding of our perspective.

I am twenty four years old. For the record, I don’t believe in conspiracies involving the Illuminati or the Free Masons, nor do I believe Zionists caused the September 11 attacks. I don’t have a Confederate flag hanging on my wall, nor do I listen to Alex Jones’ radio show. As a staunch pro-life advocate and Christian, I also do not believe in Ayn Rand’s atheistic, pro-choice philosophy, Objectivism.

I say without any exaggeration that our current government has strayed so far from the Constitutional republic as originally conceived by the Founding Fathers that drastic changes must be made if we are to restore it. I am tired of milquetoast, counterfeit conservatives running for public office under the pretense of fighting for limited government, lower taxes, and individual liberty, only to go to Washington and support deficit spending, increase the size of government bureaucracies such as the Department of Education, and pass legislation which erode our civil liberties under the guise of “national security.”

More than ever, we need politicians who practice what they preach, whose lives reflect the integrity they claim to promote.

After election after election of hearing candidates talk about solving these problems yet providing no results, we need leaders whose actions speak far more eloquently than any words they may try to use to placate us.

As a young person who has worked hard to be fiscally responsible and debt-free, I am disgusted with how Republicans and Democrats have both contributed to a $15 trillion national debt in addition to trillions in unfunded entitlements, which people like myself will have to suffer the consequences for when those congressmen are dead and buried.

It infuriates me how those who have made poor choices in life think they can pass the bill for it onto taxpayers.

I am enraged every time I hear someone tell me how my liberties found within the Bill of Rights only exist if a lawyer or a group of nine people in black robes say they do.

I don’t believe our country is being torn apart because of hate and intolerance. I believe our country is being torn apart because we have accepted a mentality where every single issue pertaining to our lives, from the food we put on our table to how we seek medical treatment, must be decided by a small group of elitists to whom the rules do not apply. It is only natural, then, that it becomes of a struggle over who is going to oppress who.

If there is a division in our nation, it is between two peoples; those who rely on the government and those whom the government relies on, the consumers and the producers.

While I believe the Iranian government is tyrannical and depraved, my greatest fear does not involve them possessing a nuclear weapon. My passion for history has taught me that before a country can be destroyed externally, it first must destroy itself internally. My greatest fear is one day having children whom I will have no freedom to raise according to my beliefs, traditions, or religion.

I am convinced that, with the current trend, the government will have total oversight and control over everything we do before my generation has passed.

I believe now, more than ever, we need elected officials who will stand for the rule of law, who acknowledge that they do not have the authority to do whatever they want, and who will not compromise their values or beliefs in the Washington cesspool of corruption. We need forthright people who will speak honestly, even if it means they endure severe criticism and derision for it.

We need people who will stand by their convictions rather than, as the Psalmist put it, “sit in the seat of mockers.”

Lastly, we need candidates who, if elected, will fight unceasingly for the ideals which got them elected in the first place.

I sincerely believe Ron Paul is such a person, which is why I am supporting him for president.

His record matches his words; his thirty year career in politics is one of consistency and fidelity to the Constitution. When he is asked about his views, he is plain-spoken and direct. He does not try to beguile both sides of the fence in order to win votes. And when he says he will do something, like cut $1 trillion in Federal spending, I take him at his word.

I do not, however, worship him as I saw many literally do of Barack Obama in 2008. I am guided by my principles, not people. Should Ron Paul one day forsake them, I will no longer support him. I don’t agree with him on everything, including some of his foreign policy. But I know that under his presidency, my freedoms would be protected, and I would rather be free than safe from harm.

Ultimately, this is why young conservatives like myself support him.

This article was originally published Jan. 10, 2012 on the American Thinker and can be found here.

Filed Under: Life Experience, World Finance Tagged With: 2012 election, ron paul, young conservatives

The Consumerist Treadmill

January 26, 2012 By Hannah 7 Comments

I am in the beginning stages of packing up my childhood trinkets in the room where I grew up. I am moving. My new adventure will begin once our honeymoon ends. We will make the 24 hour journey out west by car and hopefully stop to sightsee on the way. However, in order to begin this exciting, yet kind of scary, adventure, I have to eliminate some “stuff” that I have held onto (or one could say “hoarded”) over the years.

Isn’t it amazing how much “stuff” one can accumulate? I was brushing my teeth the other night while going over my check-list of things to do in my room and I realized I have A LOT for one person. I mean, I don’t even use half of it. Granted, most is for decoration to fill up my huge bookcases, and a lot of it I am keeping for our (Lord-willing) kids, but nonetheless, I have a lot! Thankfully, my sweet fiancée is the opposite of me. When he packed up his belongings to move to California it all fit in his car. As for me, I will need a large bus.

Material possessions are not a bad thing in and of themselves. They can be a huge blessing or they can be an enormous burden. You must ask yourself do you own them or do they own you? Jesus talks about our attitude toward “stuff” many times in the Bible. He tells us explicitly,

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21

Never ending consumerist treadmill

So, what is our heart attitude toward our material goods? Are we on this worldly consumerist treadmill just trying to keep up with the Joneses? Or could we, unlike the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-30), give it all up to follow Jesus? He, after all, is the only lasting treasure.

I am not encouraging my readers to sell all of your belongings and live like a hermit. No! I think you can be just as dishonoring to the Lord living like that as you can by hoarding a bunch of dusty objects. I am encouraging, however, that we step back and thank the Lord for what He has given us.

All good things are from Him.

James 1:17 says that,

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

He loves giving us gifts and he even says that,

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” – Matthew 7:11

God has you in mind

What an amazing God we serve. I am in awe of Him as I write this article. It gives me a peace in my spirit to know He ALWAYS, know matter the circumstances or situations and in spite of ourselves, wants the best for his kiddos.

He wants us to use the gifts he has given us for his honor and glory. If that means sorting through our plunder and giving it to the poor and needy then do so. Or perhaps that may mean having others over at your house, and using your “stuff” to entertain teenagers or young adults while being a mentor to them. I don’t know what it means personally to you, but let’s take a moment out of our busy lives and ask the Lord how that applies in our life.

I love how personal my God is. He is never changing and unlike my silly emotions, he is a steady firm rock where I can place my feet. What a sweet Savior I have. Do you know Him?

How has He uniquely provided for you? Or perhaps, how have you been able to step off the consumerist treadmill and use your possessions to the glory of God?

I am looking forward to hearing from you all!

Some final words from scripture-

John 3 verses 1-21

¹ Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. ¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Filed Under: Faith and Finances, Frugal Living, Life Experience

The Legend of the Three Magic Spells for an Inexpensive Date

January 25, 2012 By TJ 5 Comments

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away from here, there was a young man who lived an ordinary life. Although this young man worked long and hard hours and was noted for his unusual degree of productivity, his wages were considerably low, and every single payday he was forced to watch with great melancholy as all of his earnings were diverted to cover his meager living expenses, leaving him with not even so much as a single shilling that he might enjoy the decency of a night’s festivities at the local pub.

Yet this did not trouble the young man as it might have in other circumstances, for he was a thrifty, prudent man of good temperament, who handled his pursestrings with restraint every day as he passed by alluring new cars, enticing gun shops, and the siren call of state-of-the-art home-theater systems. Having survived the treacherous journey through his dark university days, he had acquired the resolution necessary to protect himself from the murky bog of credit card debt. As befit his virtuosity, his reputation within the financial institutions of the kindgom was impeccable.

Had the young man been a lonely friar, traveling through the wilderness of life without a companion, this situation might have been sufficient for him.

But one day everything changed when this young man came across a girl of exceptional amiability. Enraptured by her beauty, he was overcome with the inescapable passion of romantic infatuation. With great persistence, he attempted to woo this beautiful girl, and was euphoric when she declared an interest in him, however small it may have been. After a second conversation and meeting, the young man was engrossed by her undeniable qualities and idiosyncrasies, and within a fortnight his romantic infatuation had grown and blossomed into a genuine affection for the girl, and his determination to court her exclusively increased tenfold.

Driven by the incurable madness eternally inherent in romance, he secretly planned a wondrous time to spend with her which would win her heart.

But then, the young man remembered that he was poor and had little money to spend on such pleasantries. Although the girl was by no means of high social status, tradition dictated that he demonstrate his fondness for her in a manner which in some fashion involved the spending of money in a substantial amount. The societal rules had relaxed since the days of his forefathers, in which it was strictly forbidden to allow the girl to lay down so much as a halfpence during a courtship. Still, as a gentleman, chivalrous to a fault, he was unwilling to consider an solution which involved her having to surrender any of her earnings, even if it was small. Additionally, the ostinate pride, which can only be found within the heart of a man, required him to maintain a pretense of being in a respectable financial condition.

Left with no other options, the young man sought out the advice of his trustworthy friends. Eager to see him settle down and happy, they directed him to the house of an old hermit, who for scores of years had been tied to the bond of matrimony until the untimely death of his beloved. It was rumored throughout the kingdom he knew the ancient incantations and spells guaranteed to win a fair maiden’s heart.

Despite this, they warned him, ever so severely, that this old hermit also had a reputation as a cantankerous imp who led a many young men to their dooms by offering poorly contrived remedies to their tribulations out of a twisted sense of amusement.

Having exhausted all other resources, the young man sought out the old hermit. Wary of what lay behind the door to the house, he knocked timidly, whereupon he was greeted by a sanguine, yet rather quaint man whose demeanor refuted all the unfound hearsay said about him. Welcoming him into the home with much celebration, the old hermit listened intently as the young man spoke of the beautiful girl who had captured his heart, explaining his dilemma in no uncertain terms.

After sitting there silently, meditating for a long time, the hermit took the young man into his confidence and revealed that he took had suffered the same predicament in his youth when courting his future wife. He, too, had had few coins to spare. Yet, he had managed to overcome this obstacle by learning three secret spells which, if used at their proper time, would magically cause a girl to overlook any deficiencies in the matter of finances.

The three magic spells and their recitations as recounted were:

The Spell of Creativity: Do that which refreshes the soul
The Spell of Spontaneity: Do that which is unexpected at an unexpected time
The Spell of Authenticity: Do that which reveals one’s true heart

The old hermit warned him, however, that the spells could only be used out of necessity, for their magical properties would fail to charm if the intent behind their usage was outside of their original design.

Thrilled, the young man profusely thanked the old hermit into the long hours of the night and then returned back to his home in a mood of elation. There, he planned the special time as he had originally intended. Following the old hermit’s counsel, he used the magic spells at their proper time and not before. He did not have to wait long to see if the spells actually worked, for the moment the girl met with him she was instantly bewitched by the power of the spells and seemed to make no observation of the lack of coins used to provide such a lively interaction.

Careful not to fall into arrogance, the young man listened to the old hermit’s sagely words and worked hard to save up enough earnings to take the girl to out every so often and did not always rely on the spells as a permanent substitute. As long as he heeded this wisdom, the girl was as pleased as is capable by a man.

Acknowledging his success, the young man’s friends inquired as to the magic spells, so that they too might utilize them in their relationships. Rather than hold it back from them in order to flout his position, the young man, out of the kindness of his heart, not only informed them of the three magic spells, but he also dictated the story to this lowly scribe, so that the knowledge might be circulated to all men, unwed or married, who would then use these spells in time of need.

The End

photo by soundlessfall

Filed Under: Frugal Living, General Finance, Life Experience Tagged With: dating, finances, inexpensive date ideas

How to Raise Kids to be Wise with Money

January 23, 2012 By Jon the Saver 11 Comments

Throughout history, older folk have been worried that the younger generation will bring about the downfall of society.

It never really happened.

But that doesn’t mean that differences between different generations don’t exist. For example, Millenials have been more aggressive in cutting credit card debt than other generations since the Depression started, even though they have substantially lower incomes and bleaker job prospects which should make paying off debt harder. Today’s children still need to be taught good financial habits so that they end up more like Millennials and less like Millennials’ Gen X parents and Boomer grandparents. That’s why I’m sharing a few things you can do to teach your kids about good personal finances:

Make sure they work during their teen years

A lot of teens are having trouble getting jobs these days because the labor market is so crowded, and it could get worse if the retirement age is raised. However, if you teen can get a job and it won’t interfere with sports or other extra-curriculars, you can teach them not only about having spending money and managing it, but also about how money doesn’t grow on trees. By having to work hard for money, they’ll learn to value it and save it!

Give them a meaningful allowance

If they don’t work, they still need to learn how to save and manage money, and the only way they can do that other than nittily saving Christmas checks from grandparents is if they have an allowance (on a side note, paying older children to do chores is bad because it implies that doing house chores is a favor for their parents). Giving them money at regular intervals, instead of when they need it to go out with their friends or buy something, will teach them to save some money for a rainy day. This way, they’ll learn to budget it since they only have a limited amount till they get more money from you.

Teach them about business

Starting a successful business is all about planning ahead: You need to have a roadmap for where your business is going before you even think of a name or make a logo. When my boss started Influence People in 2011, he figured out beforehand how his business would work: He would do PR work for various clients, who he’d meet at trade shows, MeetUp events, and in the office building. From those connections, he would expand his business to meet more new clients, and continue to meet new contacts at shows and MeetUp events. Now, Influence People is up and rolling now and we have many clients.

You can teach them about business yourself if you know about it, but the best way for them to learn is to plan on how to start a business themselves. Luckily, the Secret Millionaires Club is having a contest where kids can submit ideas for starting a business. The submissions need to include how the business will operate and how it will be profitable, and the winning kid will win $5000. you can use this as an opportunity for your kids to learn about business, even if you’ve never started one yourself!

(This is a guest post by Steve Sims. Steve is a marketing and PR professional who currently works for Influence People, an online marketing and blogger outreach consultancy in San Francisco.)

photo by aldrin_muya

Filed Under: Family Finances

Renter’s Insurance Basics

January 20, 2012 By Jon the Saver 4 Comments

Many people are forced to rent an apartment until they are in a position to purchase a home of their own. Since the property doesn’t belong to them, there’s nothing to worry about. After all, the landlord is responsible for everything, right? Wrong! This is when renter’s insurance comes in handy. But what is renter’s insurance and is it worth it? Actually, it is.

When you rent an apartment, the owner of the building is required to carry insurance on the structure only- not it’s contents. That means your contents. In order for your possessions to be protected, you have to make the necessary arrangements.

Renter’s insurance is designed to cover the contents of a dwelling that you are temporarily residing in. This goes for all of your belongings, no matter what they are and how much they are worth. The right coverage insures the owner against everything from fire and smoke, theft, hurricanes, tornadoes, and so on. Like homeowner policies, there is even additional coverage that a renter can get that protects them against very specific disasters such as flooding or earthquakes.

Another way that a renter’s policy covers you is through liability coverage. This type of coverage protects you in the event that someone else is injured while they are in your residence, even if you are found to be negligent.

Even if your apartment becomes unlivable for whatever the reason and you have to be displaced, renter’s insurance can help there, too. Depending on your level of coverage, it can help cover the cost to move and get set up in a new environment.

Another way that renter’s insurance resembles homeowner’s insurance is in the way that they reimburse you. There are two types of reimbursement possible for your belongings: replacement and cash value.

Replacement is the more expensive of the two coverages since it actually pays you what it would cost to replace your belongings with new ones- regardless of their age. Cash value pays you what your items are currently worth, taking into account age and depreciation. The type of coverage depends on your possessions, their age and their value.

Before you purchase a policy it is best to videotape everything that you own, including furniture, to give you an idea of everything that you have. This will also be an invaluable tool to use as evidence in the unfortunate event that you should have to file a claim.

Now, the question that all renters want to know: is renter’s insurance worth it? Yes, it is. Given the amount of protection that you receive, renter’s insurance is quite reasonable, even if you have significant possessions.

In order to justify it’s expense, take a look at all of your possessions and what it would cost to replace them. Now, take the annual cost of renter’s insurance and divide it into that total cost. This will give you the number of years that you would have to carry renter’s insurance in order to break even.

photo by MadMarlin

Filed Under: Insurance, Life Experience, real estate

Have We Met On Facebook Or Twitter?

January 19, 2012 By Jon the Saver 2 Comments

Did you know that this blog is only one aspect of the Free Money Wisdom community? If you’re not plugged in on Twitter and Facebook, you’re seriously missing out. Yes, you get the latest blog posts on this site, but you’re missing out on fun conversations, free giveaways, friendly debates, and a growing community.

If you want to get connected right away and see what you’ve been missing out, start following me on Twitter and become a fan on my Facebook page. I sure am excited to hear your thoughts on these communities. You can only comment so much on each blog post. Let’s get the conversation started!

Twitter

Twitter has been fun to be part of recently. I finally upgraded my cell phone and have found myself being much more active in the Twitter community! I love reaching out to fans and getting feedback on articles. Check out the types of conversations I have below; you’re missing out on the conversation! Follow me @FreeMoneyWisdom

-Letting my fans know what’s going on in my personal life

-Announcements of giveaways and other prizes

-Responding to funny tweets

-Sharing personal finance tips and advice

-Recommending good reads from around the web

-Conversation starters because I like hearing your opinion!

Facebook

And don’t miss out on Facebook. It’s always a good time hearing what other people have to say. Facebook is where fans break out of their shell and become more personal. It’s also a place where any fan can share or post on my Facebook wall. I like to call it an inclusive community where all types of conversation is encouraged.

Are you in?

So you have to ask yourself a question now: Am I in? I really hope you are and amke the dive into the Free Money Wisdom community. We talk about everything related to finance, Biblical stewardship, and retirement. With a goal of helping each other reach financial freedom, you won’t want to miss out on this.

In case you missed the links, here they are again:

Find me on TWITTER

Find me on FACEBOOK

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Filed Under: General Finance

Why Early Retirement Is So Important To Me

January 18, 2012 By Jon the Saver 20 Comments

If you have ever thought about retirement, I am sure the question of whether you can retire early has accompanied it. With the financial difficulties that this economies brings, many people are forced to work longer than generations before them. While people are forced to postpone retirement, I am planning my early retirement. In fact, I have a crazy goal of retiring by the age of 27. I am 24 right now, so that only gives me about 2.5 years to establish financial security. I want to explain not only how I plan on achieving this, but why it is so important to me.

How I Plan to Retire Early

I know what you are thinking: “If people take 40 years to save for their retirement, how is it possible that a person such as yourself could do it in such a short period?” Before you assume that I have a high paying job or wealthy family, I can assure you that neither of those are true. Instead, I plan on retiring early by shifting the goal of retirement.

Many people in planning for their retirement, save a percentage of their income throughout their long careers. Between the money put away and the compound interest, over the course of their life they are able to save up enough money to live off of during their retirement years. As a result, what happens is that people who are motivated to retire a few years early, make sacrifices in order to get out of their job. This often results in the connected idea that you have to wait until you are retired to do what you really desire to do.

When I started thinking about my retirement, I realized that I didn’t want to wait that long and I didn’t want to have to sacrifice too much in order to retire early. For example, I knew I didn’t want to live on the street just so that I didn’t have to work. Instead of trying to build up a lump sum to live off of, I hope to go about it a different way. I plan on creating passive income streams that will generate enough income to replace my day job. If I can generate enough income from my investments, I won’t be forced to work to earn a regular salary. I am starting by creating an online portfolio of blogs that are earning money. Once I have enough money saved, I will invest this money into real estate for a longer term investment. By focusing on cash flow instead of a lump sum, I am able to retire much earlier.

I recognize that maintaining these efforts will take some time, but I should be able to manage it in 3 days a week. Because I don’t see retirement as sitting around doing nothing, I am perfectly okay with this. Plus, I would rather work 3 days a week sustaining my income than stay in the rat race, working 40-50 hours per week.

Why I Want to Retire Early

If there is anything that I have now become passionate about, it is about my goal to retire early. My early retirement plan isn’t just about making lots of money and sitting around. Instead, it is about so much more. My plan to quit my day job and sustain my income from online efforts and real estate is ultimately about giving myself the freedom to make a significant change.

I don’t just want to be as wealthy as possible or have all of the newest things. I don’t see fulfillment in these things. Instead, I see my goal as a way to give myself two more days each week to volunteer for worthy causes. There is a lot of change that I would like to see in this world and if I can contribute to changing for the good, it is worth every effort to make this happen.

Too many people are stuck in 9-to-5 jobs and can’t be a part of anything meaningful because of their life commitments. I have been in college and now graduate school for the past 7 years and I know the feeling of constantly being busy all too well. Because I don’t want to the person who can’t help with anything, I am working towards financial freedom in order to free up my time while I am still young.

What would motivate you enough to retire early?

(This was a guest post from Corey at Passive Income to Retire and 20′s Finances. He writes to provide important information for young people while generating an income that will allow him to retire by the age of 27.)

Filed Under: Investing, Retirement

Romantic Yet Frugal Tips for Valentine’s Day

January 17, 2012 By Hannah 9 Comments

The big day that is filled with chocolates, hearts, and romance is almost here. This day, for many guys, is also one that is a conundrum. If you’re a guy who strives to be thoughtful, and who desires to make your woman feel like she’s the only one around, then you don’t want to get her the ordinary cliché gifts. Now, I know Valentine’s Day is not only for the women, but I think we can all agree that for the most part it is marketed to you fellas! So, because I have insight into the female gender, I’m going to give you lads a few tips on how to be original this V-Day. Hopefully, this will score you some points with your lady. If not, don’t show her where your ideas came from.

First and foremost: Plan ahead in order to thoughtfully prepare for your lady. Don’t wait until the last minute to fret about what you should get your woman. Trust me, guys, we can tell. We’re not dumb. If you come home with a box of Russell Stover’s, and a bear that resembles the ones in Wal-Mart, don’t expect too much enthusiasm out of us.

Money won’t buy her happiness. If this is the case you may want to click out of this article and perhaps find another woman—if you’re married, marriage counseling is always a great gift. I digress. My point: time will (and should) always trump anything monetary. For instance, planning an event for every weekend of February would be a spectacular idea. You could even mix up the events so she has to choose out of a bowl blindfolded. Be creative! It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to be something you both will enjoy. Creating memories is priceless.

Snail mail is underrated. We live in an era where texting, emailing, and instant messaging are the form of communication. Heck, letters are old school—right? Wrong. I love getting random love notes from my fiancé. It takes more time and thought than a speedily typed email and the simple click of a mouse. Plus, for me, the thought of knowing he has touched the letter holds an intimacy that is just downright romantic. Men, if you’re not too eloquent with words then try finding a poem that fits your relationship. And yes, send her a letter even if you live with her! Tell her how you feel and don’t be shy. Women love vulnerability. It fulfills the knight on a white horse imagery we dream about. Also, if you’re of the daring kind write a letter for every day of the month and date each. She’ll have one to open everyday. Finally, don’t forget to spray it with your cologne!

Stay traditional if you’re too scared to venture out. Women love to be wined and dined. It’s true. Take her to the restaurant where you had your first date. Or take her to a new one – signaling new beginnings and new adventures up ahead! Make reservations for a private table. Don’t forget to scoot the chair out for her and open those car doors! We love chivalry. I suggest buying her her favorite flowers. Everyone gets their woman roses for Valentine’s Day—but if that isn’t your significant other’s favorite, then get her what she most loves. It’ll impress her that you remembered! An alternative to eating out would be cooking her a romantic candlelit dinner in front of a fireplace. Make sure you know her favorite meal and surprise her by cooking it. Personally, I’d rather this than eating out at a restaurant. It’s especially intimate and best yet, men, you don’t have to tip!

If you’re an old pro at this and been together for awhile surprise her with her best friend. No, no, not a dog….a dog is MAN’S best friend. Diamonds, silly! Haha, hopefully that isn’t truly her best friend, but most women DO love diamonds. They are an accessory that can be worn with everything. Do some research and ask your woman in advance what she likes. Please be discreet or you’ll give away the surprise!

Lingerie is always an option. Pair it with something thoughtful as well (see above). After all, it isn’t JUST for her. Of course, I only recommend this gift if you’re married. This would be a great addition to any evening out at a restaurant or especially if you made a home cooked meal for her. Women love frilly things and it is the one holiday you can get away with buying us lingerie! Side note: do not buy us lingerie for Christmas or birthdays. Would you like it if we bought you men a hammer with a “honey-do” list attached? That’s what I thought.

Finally, and most importantly, have FUN with your gift! You know your woman best and what gift(s) will fit her personality perfectly. Go with your instincts and channel your creativity. Be thoughtful and never be cliché. Good luck and have a happy early Valentine’s Day!

Filed Under: Frugal Living, General Finance, Life Experience