Couponing

For people who are living on a budget, sometimes using a coupon is a huge help on saving a few bucks here and there. I will not be giving tips on how to extreme coupon but more how to be coupon efficient. 

First is where to look for coupons:

• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Online
• In-Store
• On Products
• Manufacturer

The next thing to do is keeping the coupons organized. This should involve categorizing the coupons by type of product. Also have a container for the coupons. Do not leave them stuffed in a wallet or purse.

Also try to maximize your savings by not only using a manufacturer coupon but also a store coupon. This can equal double savings. Also enroll in a loyalty program. A loyalty program is where you scan your card at every purchase and gain rewards as you spend more throughout the store. 

References:

Huffstetler, Erin. "How to coupon Effectively." About.com. Web. 26 Mar 2012. 

Acceptance

For an update about if I was going to transfer or not. I am officially a Ferrum Panther and also a cheerleader for the school. Along with great news also comes some bad news. I will be unemployed during school next year because between school and cheerleading, I could not maintain a job.

This came to me as a shock for someone who has worked since I was legally allowed to. I'm not sure if this will be an easy transition. This also got me to wonder about student loans since I will not be able to cover what scholarships and grants do not.

In the project student debt, this blog goes over how students should avoid taking about private loans because they are much risker then talking out a private loan. Private loans are the safest bet because they do not change over time and also have guaranteed protections.

In another blog by Department of Consumer Affairs, it also covers about shopping around with loans and taking the right loan for you. Avoid taking a loan that is much more then you actually need. In the end, it can leave you in more debt then you need to be.

Another great idea for college expenses is FASFA. This gives out grants, which do not need to be repaid upon graduation, and loans.

Even though college can be very expensive, There are many options when it comes to covering the expenses.

Changes

As an update from my last blog, My father finally decided on which job he was going to take. I personally feel he made a great decision. He is finally out of the blue collar work and finally doing something that fits his personality more.

Now knowing that my family is slowly on the right path to being financially stable, I decided that going away to school next semester might not be a bad idea. I completely understand that no parent can honestly pay out of pocket for the school I plan on attending. Therefore I decided the only help I would like from my parents would be the deposit for room and board and spending money.

Going away to school requires a lot of saving and cutting back on needless spending. This way I will had money to spend when I truly need it. In Roth's Blog for money tips, The blog not only covers money management but also organization skills and decision making. Here are a few tips I felt everyone could find useful:

• Track your spending (via notebook, notepad, etc)
• Avoid getting a credit card (unless it is needed)
• Try to not hang out with big spenders
• Learn to invest
• Buy used textbooks 
• Stay active and eat healthy

Tips such as these are simple to follow and can help you save while still enjoying a similar lifestyle. Everyone makes a sacrifice, whether it be on spending or saving. 

In an article by John Fuller, He goes over 10 tips for saving at college. Some of these tips I feel could be used in everyday life such as:

• Seek alternative transportation 
• Be creative with your free time (You don't have to spend money to have fun)
• Get the right cell phone plan (Don't pay for something you don't need)
• If a student, Get a free student checking (Most banks still have this account available)

When money is tight, it can be difficult to tell yourself or someone that they really don't need certain items. For example, having an iPhone, Its a great phone to have but it is also very expensive with all the add ons. Another example could be the choice of clothes purchased. 


Sometimes it is the smallest things that can be the most beneficial. With these simple tips, everyone can save  while still maintaining a consistent lifestyle. 


References: 


Fuller, John. How Stuff Works. Discovery Company. Web. 18 March 2012.