Four Areas of Life to Downsize and Realize Money Savings

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Four Areas of Life to Downsize and Realize Money Savings

Cards with low interest rates
Look for lower interest rates from credit card providers. Before making your selection, compare introductory APRs, introductory periods, regular APRs, annual fees (if any), if balance transfers are available, and the credit rating levels required (usually Good or Excellent).

Frequent flyer cards
Compare travel services offered by frequent flyer cards with regards to blackout dates or other restrictions, as well as points that may be redeemable for dining, entertainment, hotel, rental car, cruises, air travel, retail shopping and cash.

Gas rewards cards
Save at the pump with gas rewards. Look for discounts or cash back on gas and vehicle maintenance, drugstore and grocery shopping, dining, and cable services.

Cards for bad credit
Look for card providers that offer online support services, such as email and text reminders of upcoming payments due.

Prepaid cards
People who have bad credit or want to put a tight rein on their spending may consider the prepaid card. This card is similar to the debit card because you use actual available monies deposited in your account; but unlike credit or debit cards, the prepaid card has no overdraft protection. On the upside, prepaid cards usually have no fees—no late fees, no over-limit fees, no transaction fees, no NSF fees (for insufficient funds) because you can only be approved for available funds. A prepaid card can be safer than cash, but make sure that the card is protected by fraud liability insurance. Also, see if it includes rewards programs, email and text alerts, bill pay and other online services. Usually no credit check or employment verification is required.

Applying for senior banking programs
Ask your banking representative about bank accounts and online services designed especially for people over 50 years of age. Also, ask about savings accounts with no or low minimum balance or monthly maintenance fees. In some cases, if you maintain accounts for both checking and savings, you might earn a higher interest rate on your balances as well.

Applying for online services
Once you set up your online account, you’ll enjoy the benefit of seeing your online bank statement at any time of day or night. Online services may include transferring balances from one account to the other, paying bills, financial “tools” and information resources. Depending on the institution, you may need to make a phone call and complete an application form to initiate your online services.

Getting online assistance
Have a question about your account? Check to see if your financial institution offers a 24/7, around-the-clock “live chat” on its website where you can hold an online discussion, in real time, with a service representative, or an internal email system where you can send a comment or inquiry with a response within 24 hours. In addition, your bank’s website probably offers downloadable application forms and other documents.

Accessing “financial tools”
Some offer special services like “online financial calculators” that you can use to analyze your personal finances to calculate savings goals for your retirement, determine auto loan payments, analyze investment returns, calculate credit card payoffs, assess debt consolidation, analyze mortgage payoff, determine your tax bill, and compare options for leasing vs. buying, etc.

Browsing for other financial resources
Some sites offer a whole “library” of resources, including links to other sites. Look for information to help your grandchildren with saving, budgeting, earning, borrowing and using checks. Look for information on home buying, selling, renting and improving your house. You might also find tips on identity theft, smart shopping, and government resources. This will help you reach the goals that you set for yourself as you try to enhance your financial life.

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Main Index

◦	Saving Money
◦	Living Debt Free
◦	Four Areas of Life to Downsize and Realize Money Savings
◦	Living the Budget Balancing Act and Coming Out Ahead
◦	Many Easy Ways to Save Money and Lighten Your Debt Load
◦	Negotiating Your Way to a Better Deal Without Breaking Your Budget
◦	No-Nonsense Tips for Living Within or Below Your Means
◦	Penny-Pinching Tips for the Fresh Faced College Grad
◦	Shiny New is Overrated: Buy Used to Save Money
◦	Six No-Nonsense Ways for Living Below Your Means
◦	Smart Ways to Cut Costs and Realize Savings Each Month
◦	Don't Deny Yourself
◦	Get Married Without Going into Debt
◦	Having a Bit of Summer Family Fun Without Any Debt on the Run
◦	Helpful Hints on How to Avoid the Debt of the Holiday Season
◦	How to Take a Family Vacation and Still Live Within Your Means
◦	Ways to Find Money For Those "Extras" Without Dipping into Your Savings
◦	Daily Money Saving Tips
◦	Boost Your Savings Account with These Garage Sale Tips
◦	Eight Ways to Save on Your Drug Prescriptions
◦	Five Easy Snack Makeovers to Save on the Grocery Bill
◦	How to Dine Out on Occasion and Still Make Your Budget
◦	Nine Nifty Ways to Earn an Extra $100 Bucks a Month
◦	Seven Painless Pointers for Lowering Bills and Living Below Your Means
◦	Seven Simple Ways to Save Money Today
◦	Stay Financially Fit with These Grocery Shopping Tips
◦	Saving BIG on Household Expenses
◦	Cheapie Ways to Stretch Your Dollar in the Bathroom
◦	Energy Tips to Keep You from Maxing Your Household Budget
◦	Kitchen Item Recycling Tips to Save Some Money
◦	Live Within Your Means and Still Get Good Furniture
◦	Saving Money in the Long Run: Get the Right Home Insurance
◦	Water Saving Strategies to Keep Your Pocketbook Padded
◦	Saving BIG on Car Expenses
◦	Eight Ways to Save Money on Gas Without Going in Debt
◦	Pocket Extra Cash By Avoiding These Silly Car Wastes
◦	Six Savvy Car Shopping Moves to Keep You From Breaking the Bank
◦	Bargain Baby & Child Care
◦	Baby Bargains For the Budget Conscious
◦	Cutting Expense Corners During Baby's First Year
◦	Get Back to Work with These Money-Savings Childcare Options
◦	Saving Money Living Green
◦	Conserve Energy and Reduce Your Bill with This Great Advice
◦	Freecycling a Great Way to Avoid Accumulating Debt
◦	Going Green and Still Living Within Your Means
◦	Smart Money Management Advice
◦	Avoid These Major Money Missteps and Stay Out of Debt
◦	Five Money Ways to Simply Your Life and Breathe a Bit Easier
◦	Importance of an Emergency Fund and Ways to Fund It
◦	Manage Your Money with These Simple Solutions
◦	Realize a Bigger Paycheck by Plugging These Money Draining Holes
◦	Saving Big Time with These Unadvertised Secret Deals
◦	Seven Smart Tips for Living Below Your Means Comfortably
◦	Simple Ideas to Buck the Economic Downturn and Flourish
◦	Ten Ways to Simplify Your Life and Lower Debt
◦	The Wants vs. Needs Battle and How It Affects Your Budget
◦	Three Banking Tips to Keep Money… In the Bank!
◦	Top Ways to Increase Your Net Worth
◦	Saving For College
◦	College Savings/Investment Options
◦	Can You Afford It?
◦	Community College: A Financial Head Start on Education
◦	Get the Family Involved
◦	Getting Started Saving For Colle
◦	How Much Does It Cost?
◦	Important Steps to Take When Saving for College
◦	Is It Too Late To Start?
◦	Options To Think About
◦	Required Steps to Set up a Coverdell ESA for College
◦	Roth IRAs: A Viable Option for College Funding?
◦	Savings Plan Considerations
◦	The Ins and Outs of Controlling a Coverdell ESA
◦	The Pros and Cons of the Coverdell ESA for College
◦	Viability of US Savings Bonds to Fund College
◦	What Are Your Options?
◦	Why Save For College?
◦	Why In-State Colleges Should Be a Financial Aid Solution
◦	College Funding/Grant Options
◦	Federal PLUS Program Smart Move for College Funding
◦	Free Money for College: How to Find It
◦	Funding Options for College Bound Students
◦	Helpful Hints for Identifying College Scholarships
◦	How Federal Work Study Programs Come into Play for College Funding
◦	The Scoop on Pell Grants for College Education
◦	Wading Through the Financial Aid Options for College Students
◦	What About Scholarships?
◦	What Is Financial Aid?
◦	Student Loan Options
◦	Co-Signer and No Co-Signer Loans
◦	Credit History and Student Loans
◦	Interest Rates, Now and Future
◦	No Credit Loans
◦	PLUS Student Loans
◦	Private Student Loans
◦	Seeking Loan Advice
◦	Stafford Student Loans
◦	Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loans
◦	The Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)
◦	The William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
◦	Your College Loan Options for the Future
◦	How Students Can Help
◦	Financial Know-How for New College Students
◦	Graduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid: Similarities and Differences
◦	How Federal Work Study Programs Come into Play for College Funding
◦	Paying For College From the Student Standpoint
◦	529 Savings Plan
◦	What Is the 529 College Plan?
◦	A Glimpse into the Independent 529 College Plan
◦	Overall Benefits of the 529 College Savings Plan
◦	The Lowdown On Prepaid vs Savings 529 College Savings Account
◦	The Scoop about 529 Penalty on Refunds
◦	The Skinny on A 529 Plan: What It Is and Where to Fund It
◦	Top FAQs Regarding the 529 Plans
◦	What the Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities (TIPS) Means in the 529 Plans
◦	Important 529 Plan Considerations
◦	529 Plan's Future When College is Not in the Future
◦	Are 529 Plans Necessarily the Best for Everyone?
◦	Getting Past Contribution Limits For 529 College Savings Plans
◦	Keeping Track of your 529 College Plan Contributions
◦	More Than One Kid: Why Two 529 Plans are Better Than One
◦	Opening a 529 College Savings Plan for You a Possibility?
◦	Pros and Cons of Pre-paid Tuition vs. 529 College Saving Plan
◦	Quirks About Getting Education Loans Even with a 529 College Plan
◦	Sound Reasons For Multi-State 529 Contributions
◦	Switching from Your UTMA/UGMA To A 529 Plan
◦	The 529 College Savings Plan as an Estate Planning Move
◦	The Medicaid-529 College Plan Debate
◦	What Contributing Grandparents Need to Know about 529s
◦	Why Prepaid Tuition Plans May Not Be So Great These Days
◦	Your Investment Options with the 529 College Plan
◦	529 Plan and Your Taxes
◦	Changes Made To The "College Kid" Tax Rules
◦	Good News - Bad News on 529 Gift Tax Situation
◦	Learning about State Tax Deductions with 529 Plans
◦	Tax Savings For 529 Plans Even If College Has Started
◦	What the $12k Gift Tax Exclusion is All about in Terms of 529 Plans
◦	State By State 529 Options
◦	A Look at Mississippi's 529 College Plan
◦	A Sunny View on Florida's 529 College Plan Options
◦	States that Come Close to the 5-Cap Rating with 529 Plans
◦	Top Three States With The Best 5
◦	What’s Up with 529 Plans in Texas?
◦	Why Consider Out of State 529 Plans?
◦	Related Content
◦	Currency
◦	Family Budget
◦	Living Wills
◦	Offshore Banking
◦	Ways to Save Money
◦	401k Plan

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