Learn to Benefit From Cash Back Credit Cards
The best way to take advantage of a cash rebate credit card program is to use your credit card to pay for your everyday purchases, and then pay the bill in full at the end of every month.
Thus you enjoy the benefits of accumulating points toward cash rebates for your everyday purchases, but you are not purchasing things you do not need, or spending money on interest. If you have the self-discipline to use your cash back credit card in this manner, the rebate you receive really are a bonus.
**visit CreditCards to know which credit cards gives cash back.
What to Avoid With Cash Back Credit Cards
The worst way to use one of these cards is to spend money on unnecessary purchases, carrying balances from month to month because you do not have enough cash to pay your bill in full.
Many people rationalize such behavior, convincing themselves that their spending is justified because they are earning cash back on their purchases. However, the interest you will have to pay on your unpaid balance will greatly exceed any funds you receive in the form of a cash back rebate.
Responsibility is the Key
The key to benefiting from any type of credit card reward program is to make responsible use of the credit available to you.
Make sure you understand the terms, and be certain that the cash back program that seems to be so appealing is not going to end up costing you money in the long run. Credit card debt remains a sure way of ending up in the debt trap, if not controlled properly.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Tips on Grocery Savings - Look Out For these Tips
Notice that every time you go grocery shopping, your bill gets higher and higher? Even with budgeted list in hand, you still end up spending more than your budget? Well, food prices are increasing and budgeting may not be enough to decrease your grocery bill.
Most consumers buy products that are placed at eye level on the shelves. As a result of this, most grocery stores place their highest priced items at eye level. Scan the entire shelf, high and low, for better bargains.
4. Shop the Perimeter First
Again, grocery stores are organized in such a way to get you to spend the most money. Costlier, prepackaged foods usually sit in the middle of the store, while staple foods, such as milk, eggs and bread line the perimeter. If you buy your staple items first, your cart will already be filled with food and you'll be less likely to indulge in prepackaged goodies on your way out of the store.
5. Don't Fall for the Marketing
Food manufacturers spend millions of dollars each year studying you and what prompts you to buy one brand over another. As a result of all this research, they've created tempting products that are hard to walk away from. However, you have to simply think about what you need versus what you want. Sure those diet snack packs look fun and convenient, but they're also expensive. Also, it really does not take that much longer to peel or wash a piece of fruit than it does to open that snack pack. Plus, the piece of fruit is probably even healthier for you anyways!
Keep these tips in mind for better savings.
The fact is that food manufacturers and retailers are corporations looking to make money, and they have developed quite a few tricks to get consumers to spend more. Here are 5 tips you can use to be a truly savvy shopper and save some of your hard earned cash:
1. Scrutinize On-Sale Items
Grocery stores are highly organized with the purpose of getting consumers to spend the most money. Large displays of foods "on sale" at the front of the store are often not what they seem. Typically, it's the manufacturer of the displayed foods that has paid the retailer to showcase their product. Go to the isle the display food is on and compare it to other sizes and brands – 9/10 there is a much better deal to be won.
2. Beware of Bulk
It used to be that buying in bulk (or even just any larger quantity) saved you money. Well, manufacturers figured out that consumers took advantage of this and decided to sometimes quietly price the food in bulk quantities higher than those in smaller quantities. Shop smart and bring along your calculator with you. Compare the price per gram for those two items – You'd be surprised at how often the smaller boxes are priced less per gram. Also, you might be throwing away your leftover food and money.
Most consumers buy products that are placed at eye level on the shelves. As a result of this, most grocery stores place their highest priced items at eye level. Scan the entire shelf, high and low, for better bargains.
4. Shop the Perimeter First
Again, grocery stores are organized in such a way to get you to spend the most money. Costlier, prepackaged foods usually sit in the middle of the store, while staple foods, such as milk, eggs and bread line the perimeter. If you buy your staple items first, your cart will already be filled with food and you'll be less likely to indulge in prepackaged goodies on your way out of the store.
5. Don't Fall for the Marketing
Food manufacturers spend millions of dollars each year studying you and what prompts you to buy one brand over another. As a result of all this research, they've created tempting products that are hard to walk away from. However, you have to simply think about what you need versus what you want. Sure those diet snack packs look fun and convenient, but they're also expensive. Also, it really does not take that much longer to peel or wash a piece of fruit than it does to open that snack pack. Plus, the piece of fruit is probably even healthier for you anyways!
Keep these tips in mind for better savings.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
How to Save Money for a Successful Wedding
A wedding is once in a lifetime important occasion, all girls dream of a perfect wedding. But a perfect wedding is extremely stressful and costly if you didnt plan well. There are many ways to make your wedding less stressful on your finances so that you and your future spouse have more money to spend on things to start your lives together. Here are a few suggestions on how to cuts costs and yet have a wonderful wedding.
Setting a Budget: Decide how much you can spend on the necessary items, not for the delightful themed extras. A few dollars here and there can add up over time.
Prioritize to spend more on things truly matter to you and cut on things that are not as important.
Do a Timeline: By giving yourself ample time to plan, you will have ample time to select for the best offers. Plus, if you have a credit card that accumulates airline miles or points for travel, have time to use this card so you can use the rewards to cut prices on your honeymoon travel.
Shop for Wedding Package: Try to get a all in one package that covers all you need for your ROM, pre-wedding photography and actual day photography. Getting everything from one store will save you time and money then engaging separately. Wedding package should consists of the your make ups & hairdos for your ROM, pre-wedding photography and actual day. Car decor are also included.
Let Bridesmaids Wear Their Own Dresses: Try to coordinate by having the same color for the bridesmaids, not necessarily to be a new one, or something from their closets.
Buy Discount Shoes: Adding the word wedding to anything and the price goes up exponentially. Shoes are no exception. Try getting your shoes at a discount shoe store. Be comfortable and save money!
Borrow from Friends and Relatives: Make your wedding ensemble more special by wearing items you havve borrowed from family and friends. Wearing special jewelry, veils, or for men, cufflinks, and give your outfit a more personal and meaningful touch.
Make Your Own Accessories: One way to save a hefty chunk of change is to make some of your wedding accessories. Some fancier veils can cost almost as much as the dress itself, but with a little creativity you can make one yourself. Also consider making the pillows for your ring bearers as well. Accessories can be some of the most expensive parts of a wedding, so anything that you can do yourself will save some money.
Check your Guestlists: A small wedding party can cut the overall cost of the wedding, as you will need flowers, food, smaller banquet etc. Also making sure your guests attendance is important as any vacant seat will be waste of money.
Avoid Peak Seasons: The peak wedding season is between May and September. High prices and less availability might be a problem you face, booking during peak season might be around a year before your wedding date. Opt for a off-peak season instead, it will save some bucks.
Consider Alternate Transportation: Consider an alternate means of transportation as a way to save money. Borrow an antique car from a friend or relative, just be creative.
Have a Mid-week Wedding: Most weddings are held on Saturdays, but you can save quite a bit of money by having your wedding midweek. The fact is all hotels take friday, saturday & sundays as weekends, do remember.
Share Costs: Check with the venue of your wedding to see if there are any other weddings that day. If there are, try checking with the other brides and grooms to see if you can possibly share some of the decoration costs.
Make Your Own Favors: If you want to give guests a little take away gift and still not spend a fortune, make the favors yourself. You can tie them into your wedding theme or make them very personal to you and your guests.
Make Your Own Wedding CD: Instead of hiring a band to play as you walk down the aisle, you can make your own wedding CD of your favorite songs or ones that have special meaning for you and your spouse to be.
Opt for a Buffet: Sometimes buffets can be cheaper than sit down meals. Consult with a caterer to see if this might be a better option. Buffets can be an easier way to please potentially picky guests instead of having to offer a wide variety of dinner choices.
Getting your Own Wine: Limiting a traditional open bar to a few hours or to a few choices can really cut costs. Depending on the local laws and the rules at your reception hall, if you are able to purchase the liquor yourself you might save more.
A wedding is an occasion for celebration, not for stressing out over finances and small details. Having a beautiful wedding is to make you & your spouse's special day personal and special, not expensive. And just think, the money you save on your wedding can be used to take a wonderful honeymoon or to put a down payment on a new house. Of course, you might discover that an elopement is the least expensive way to get hitched. (I am not encouraging though)
The point is to have a proper planning. And not a load of debts after an eleborate wedding.
Do keep us posted if you have any comments.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Personal Budget
During this economic downturn, every single cents count.
Thus have to do your personal budget. A personal budget is a finance plan that
allocates future personal income towards daily expenses and loan repayment.
Past spending and personal debt are considered when creating a personal budget
There are several methods and tools available for creating, using and adjusting a
personal budget.
| Category | Percentage | Annual Income | Monthly Income |
| Total Income | |||
| Housing Loan | |||
| Grocery | |||
| Clothings | |||
| PUB | |||
| Insurance | |||
| Broadband & telephone bills |
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Credit Cards Reward Points
UOB credit card: Every $5 gets UNI$1, require UNI$1350 for $10 Centerpoint voucher
Standard Chartered card: Every $5 gets SB$1, SB$650 for $20 Cold Storage voucher
HSBC credit card: Every $1 gets 1 reward point, 1100 reward points for $5 Cold Storage voucher
Do take note that UOB One card doesnt gives UNI$.
Try to accumulate your spending in one card, as to optimize the reward points earn. Of course the example given above are some of the redemption items, there are more to go. Do go through the reward list & aim for what you want, thus knowing which card to use.
Also POSB Everyday card is excellent for necessity payment such as PUB, Starhub service etc. Cos it is giving 1% cash rebate, which can be use for purchasing at Wastons. Maybe 1% doesnt seem attractive, but if your monthly PUB bill is about $250, 1% of it is equal to $2.50, and 1 year is sum up to $30. These are easy rebates as every household will need to pay for PUB bill.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tighten our Belts
Will the current economic downturn, purchasing everything have to think twice. Firstly, have to think whether is the item neccessary. Secondly, to compare prices before buying, so must survey. Thirdly, since got more time at home, must at well surf the internet for better bargains. Lastly, check out any mall promotions or credit card discounts if buying the item.
Of course must ensure you got enough to pay the credit company, if not bank interest will swell.
All these applies even when you go for your groceries trip, dont buy what you want, buy what you need. So please do your grocery check, thus will not cause any items to be omitted, any second trip to the store will be wasting time & money (if you need to take transport or driving).
>>next post on credit card reward points --- pls look forward ^_^
Of course must ensure you got enough to pay the credit company, if not bank interest will swell.
All these applies even when you go for your groceries trip, dont buy what you want, buy what you need. So please do your grocery check, thus will not cause any items to be omitted, any second trip to the store will be wasting time & money (if you need to take transport or driving).
>>next post on credit card reward points --- pls look forward ^_^
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