Ways to Watch Television Minus the Cable Bill

Posted on by  at  8:30 am

Watching the hottest shows on television these days can be pricey; getting access to subscription-based channels like HBO and Showtime can easily cost you over $150 per month. My regular cable bill alone runs us over $700 a year – which is insane when computed in an annualized cost!

Savvy marketing has persuaded households to believe that cable is a necessity, along the lines of water and electricity, but the truth is that cable is a luxury.

If you’re a frugal person looking to cut down on your expenses, you should definitely consider cutting the cable cord. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to deprive yourself of the high-quality television shows out there; there are plenty of ways to watch excellent television programs for free or at a very low cost.

Online Services

Your first option is to switch to some sort of online service that allows you to stream television shows.

One popular service is Hulu Plus. For $7.99 a month, Hulu Plus offers unlimited instant streaming; you’ll have access to hundreds of shows that have aired on networks and channels such as ABC, ABC Family, National Geographic Channel, MTV, PBS, NBC, Syfy, Fox, FX, the CW, Nickelodeon, TV Land and Comedy Central.

Netflix also offers unlimited instant streaming for $7.99; through Netflix, you’ll have access to shows that have aired on networks and channels such as Fox, NBC, the Travel Channel, HBO, UPN, the WB, BBC, CBS, AMC, IFC and AMC. Other well-known streaming services include Amazon Prime and iTunes.

Sometimes, there’s no need to pay for a streaming service since the television show that you’re interested in watching is available for free on the network’s website.

For example, networks and channels such as USA, TBS, Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS and A&E have many of their television shows available for viewing on their websites. The most current episodes may take a week or more to show up on the website, but you’ll find plenty of older episodes available for viewing.

Another free option is to explore YouTube. You never know what television shows you’ll find on YouTube, which is both a blessing and a curse.

Streaming Device and Antennaes

Another option is to purchase a device that gives you access to free or low cost subscription services. For example, if you buy a Roku box, in addition to being able to stream content straight to your television, you can access several free channels.

You should also consider purchasing an antenna; you’d be surprised to find how many channels you may be able to access through a device that will only cost you around $50 to $100 (one-time), which is cheap when you consider that pays for itself in just one month of the average cable programming costs.

Saving Money in the Era of Record-Low Interest Rates

Posted on by  at  1:43 pm

Despite the predictions of many financial experts, interest rates are continuing to decline throughout the economy. This is not good news for savers, who are having a difficult time finding a conservative investment that provides any decent yield.

Savings accounts are paying under 1 percent while five-year certificates of deposit currently offer a paltry 1.51 percent interest rate. Even 30-year Treasury bonds are only paying 2.45 percent interest. If investors want to overcome the effects of inflation, they are almost forced to invest in higher-risk assets like stocks.

However, bad news for savers is good news for borrowers. Although low interest rates have made it very difficult to earn a decent investment return, they have also driven down the costs of borrowing large sums of money.

For instance, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage can now be obtained for just 3.54 percent. In addition, a four-year new car loan costs even less – just 3.07 percent.

Simply put, anyone who needs to borrow money for a large purchase should think about doing it very soon. Although the Federal Reserve has publicly declared their intention to keep interest rates low for the next two years, they only have so much control over the direction of rates.

Despite their best efforts, interest rates could quickly spike at any time, which would end a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to borrow money at rates that may not been seen again for a generation.

Of course, for most people, the largest purchase they will ever make is a house – and real estate is currently a buyer’s market. Not only are interest rates on mortgages at all-time lows, but housing prices have still not recovered from the collapse of the bubble that peaked in 2006.

According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indicies, the most comprehensive measure of national real estate prices, housing prices have declined by approximately 34 percent in the past six years.

However, just like interest rates, housing prices may not remain this low for long. In fact, there are some preliminary signs that housing prices may already be starting to rebound. The most recent release of the S&P/Case-Shiller Index showed that home prices actually increased by 1.3 percent in April. In addition, a recent Reuters poll found that most economic experts believe real estate prices will stabilize in 2012 and begin to at least modestly increase in 2013.

Poor economic growth and a surplus of foreclosed homes may prevent these expectations from being realized, but it is difficult to imagine that housing prices could see further dramatic declines in the years ahead. If this turns out to be the case, home buyers would be wise to speed up their timetable for purchasing their dream house.

Thankfully, home buyers are not the only people who can take advantage of these historically low rates; anyone looking to make a major purchase can benefit from cheap borrowing costs. In particular, people who are in the market for a new car can save a lot of money by financing the purchase with a cheap loan.

In fact, it is now a particularly opportune time to buy a new car: With the end of the summer approaching, many dealers are desperate to unload their remaining stock of 2012 car models and will be amenable to more favorable deals to facilitate a sale.

As for people who already have debt, they should do everything possible to lock in these current interest rates. Current homeowners should look into refinancing their mortgages, especially if they have an adjustable-rate mortgage. Recently graduated students should see if they can save money by consolidating their high-interest student loan debts into a single low-cost loan.

In short, borrowers should find any way possible to benefit from these low interest rates while they still exist. In the not-too-distant future, borrowers may not be so lucky.

How to Save at the Grocery Store

Posted on by  at  7:35 pm

You probably hate to sound like your grandparents, but the cost of buying food at the grocery store won’t stop going up and prices stand to go even higher if the price of corn continues to rise. It seems like everything is so much more expensive than it once was.

It feels that way because it’s true and if your grandparents are saying that today, they, like you, are right. The price of food is going up at an alarming pace and it’s rising faster than our paychecks. This is called food inflation and experts advise that this will likely continue. Hot and dry conditions in the Midwest has led agricultural experts to predict a smaller corn crop this year and that spells trouble. Corn is in just about everything we eat all the way to your favorite soft drink that likely has corn syrup as an ingredient.

Although you’re trying to save money, you’re likely making some mistakes that are costing you more than you think. Here are a few ideas to help keep your bill under control.

Your Empty Stomach

You may have thought it was nothing more than a wives’ tale but it’s true. Shopping on an empty stomach makes everything look more appetizing. Even those rotisserie chickens that look like they’ve been cooking since last week will look like a great dinner idea if you go to the grocery store hungry. Eat something before heading out. It will make you a little more choosy once you grab your cart.

Start in the Back

Yes, it’s true. The way products are positioned in your local store is based on a lot of expensive research that tells grocers how you think and purchase.. The produce and bakery areas are at the front of the store complete with the bargain bins that are hard to pass up. Day old pastries and cans of soon-to-expire beans are placed in the front of the store to entice you to buy. Starting at the back of the store and working forward makes it easier to resist those bargain bins. Often those bins aren’t as much of a bargain as you think.

Speaking of Produce

We hear a lot about how the most nutrients are found in fresh fruits and vegetables and we take that to mean that we have to buy them fresh from the produce area. That isn’t true. Head to the frozen isle and purchase your healthy food from the freezer. All of the same nutrients are still there but you don’t have to worry about the produce spoiling like you would if it were in the fresh produce area.

Don’t Buy from the Checkout

Remember that you will always pay for convenience. Items placed in the checkout lane are there to entice you to make a few impulse buys and the store knows that if it’s an impulse buy, you aren’t concerned with how much it costs. How much could a Snickers bar really cost? If you really want some candy, head to the candy isle and see if there’s a generic equivalent.

Bottom Line

Although extreme couponing is harder and more time consuming to pull off these days, clipping those coupons and doing some old fashioned price comparisons is still one of the best strategies for saving money at the grocery store. Be wise. Use what’s at home before buying more of it at the store.

Unconventional Jobs for Teens and Young Adults

Posted on by  at  12:57 pm

For teens and young adults, the days of running over to the mall and finding a job are rapidly fading. Such jobs simply aren’t as readily available as they once were, and the lackluster economy has a lot to do with it. That doesn’t mean that you should give up on earning some money as a teen or young adult. You just need to look for less conventional ways to do so. A handful of exceptional options are highlighted below, and they’re sure to get you motivated.

Turn Trash into Cash on eBay

When things are marketed correctly, they can often be sold for a decent price. Start frequenting local garage sales and keep your eyes peeled on garbage day for things that can be fixed, cleaned up and sold on eBay. Don’t rule out anything. Over time, you’ll learn what sells and what doesn’t. Before you know it, you could have a thriving online store.

Be a Golf Caddy

If you live near a golf course or country club, this is a fun and potentially lucrative idea. It helps if you have a basic understanding of golf and actually like to be on the golf course. You also need to have good people skills. If you tend to be somewhat introverted, it’s probably not the best option for you. The right person can earn a decent amount of money doing this, even if it’s only on a part-time basis.

Start a Pet Grooming and Walking Service

People are always looking for help with their furry friends. With a small initial investment in grooming tools and products, you can start your own pet grooming and walking business. Start out with relatives and friends. As you acquire more experience, start advertising online and with fliers. You definitely need to have a genuine love of pets to succeed with this type of business, but the rewards can be truly amazing.

Become a Tax Specialist

You don’t have to earn a college degree to help people with their taxes. A basic course at a local community college may be all that is needed. If you are diligent about studying, you could even teach yourself the basics. The key is to keep up with tax laws and to know how to whittle out deductions and tax breaks for your clients. Offer your services for free at first to your parents and go from there. If you have a knack for it, you could turn it into a real career.

Offer Internet Marketing Services

As a teen or young adult, you probably have a firm grasp on using the Internet. Your expertise is sure to be valuable to many older people who need help with social media sites and other online marketing pursuits. Post ads on places like Craigslist. Research how much people are charging and try to offer lower rates. Business should start booming in no time.

Wash and Detail People’s Cars

Finally, you could offer car washing and detailing services. As long as you are thorough and professional, there’s no reason that you can’t make money doing this. People in your neighborhood will especially appreciate having such a convenient place to get their car washed, and they will enjoy supporting a young entrepreneur.

As you can see, earning money as a teen or young adult in today’s world requires a little initiative. Once you get started though, there’s no telling how far you can go.

How to Host a Cheap Backyard Party this Summer

Posted on by  at  5:01 pm

The difference between a cheap backyard party that looks cheap and an inexpensive party that looks sophisticated is resourcefulness, research, and frugality. By now, most thrifty Americans have applied these virtues not only to their event-planning practices, but to their individual economies as well.

To establish a regal and relaxed atmosphere for your next backyard party, then, just maintain the same mindset that you hope to eagerly cast aside as retirement or economic upswing beckons you. The following wisdom in the areas of affordable food, entertainment, and decoration will help you plan a guilt-free party for guests the block over.

Food

Potluck-style parties are an excellent example of embracing the community to rise above economic troubles. What’s more, people love to share their culture and swap cooking secrets, which makes for an excellent talking point over a platter of tiropita, shawarma, or just some down-home meat and potatoes.

You can either invite specific guests to bring specific courses, or just request entrees and make the appetizers and dessert yourself. Either way, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars without overburdening any single guest. If you want to make all of the food yourself, consider the following tips:

Appetizers: Buy cheap, filling foods in bulk that can be affordably enhanced with spices. Chicken wings are an excellent option. Season them with Old Bay, garlic salt, buffalo seasoning, and whatever else will lend a tasty kick. Comparable alternatives include crock-pot meatballs, do-it-yourself cheese platters, sausage links, and fruit arrangements.

Entrees: The same principle of “bulk is better” applies here. Potatoes are extremely cheap, filling, and versatile. Serve them baked, sliced, scalloped, twice-baked, or make a large potato salad. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken skewers make exemplary entrees for the grill. Pair them with baked beans, fruit salad, or sliced melon.

Desserts: For cheap desserts, going store-bought saves ample time as well as money. Most grocery store bakeries have excellent sales for day-old cookies, which won’t be stale if they are bought the day of the party. Other cheap store-bought confections include brownies, banana bread, carrot cake, and cheesecake.

Entertainment

Fortunately for planners, most summer party guests are content with a sunny day and two full plates of food. Yard games like ladderball, volleyball, horseshoes, and beanbag toss, however, can be set up for under twenty dollars each if you research online beforehand.

If you don’t have an outdoor speaker system, any burgeoning musicians in your family or group of friends can supply entertainment in exchange for food and exposure.

If you have a pool, set the pool area up with floating coolers and a water volleyball net. You can always plan the party on the day of a major baseball game, a summer olympic event, or televised concerts for after-dinner entertainment. Especially with bugs and cooler evenings, this is an excellent way to cohesively herd people inside after the meal for dessert and entertainment.

Decorations

Finally, the best way to set up cheap but not tacky decorations is to incorporate them with a functional purpose. Tiki torches, for example, lend an almost tropical feel to the party, a look that can be completed with floating candles, rose petals, and themed flatware, all of which can be found at craft retailers for less than ten dollars.

For a more Mediterranean feel, you can find similarly priced fountains and Parthenon-esque pillars for placing potted flowers on.

Cheaper still, you can even decorate your own party with homemade centerpieces, floral arrangements, and food sculptures.