7 Tips to Save Everyday

Did you know that you are giving away money every single day? You are almost always tossing money out the window and you probably do not even realize it. Practically everyone is guilty of this habit, but with these seven tips and a bit of finger pointing, you can kick that bad habit out the door and start pocketing money for you and your family. You may not think you are spending as much as you do...but it is the little things that add up quickly.

1. Frugal Food
Food is a major expense. Your body must have food in order to live, so you go to the grocery store. Howeverm you can save TONS ofmoney by clipping coupons. You can also do so by hitting special sales. But the best tip - do not buy what you are not going to eat. If you buy a bunch of bananas (let's say 9 come in the bunch) on sale but only eat 3 before the rest spoil...you have thrown money away. If a recipe calls for an obscure ingredient you do not typically have on hand, but you buy it anyway, chances are pretty high you are going to throw the rest away after it has spoiled. You will save more money by simply not buying more than you will use, than by using every single coupon you run across.
2: Walk More
Gym memberships come with the best of intentions. However, most people do not use the gym as often as should to make it worth the price. A $50 membership could be a great deal or huge ripoff, depending on your habits. The solution is simple and right in front of you. If you want to be fit and healthy then exercise or walk at home or outdoors. With Youtube, a public library and a sidewalk in front of you, the sky's the limit!

3. ATM Fees
Banks have to charge money in order to make money. If you must have cash on hand, plan ahead and take out what you need at one time. It is better to pay one single ATM fee each week, versus multiple transaction fees.

4. Leave the Debit Card
Always carry a credit card with you, in case of an emergency. But you do not necessarily need to carry your debit card with you. How about leaving it hidden in your car? Having to forge for it will likely stop you from being tempted to swing through a fast food restaurant for a quick snack. It will stop that $3.50 coffee purchase. If you have to become accountable for every purchase, you will stop spending needlessly.

5. Batteries
This is easy. Switch to rechargeable batteries. You will save more in the long term and it is better for the environment. The same can be said for CFL bulbs. You'll save on both bulbs and energy bills, and you won't have to buy another bulb for a year.
6. Razor Blades
Razor blades are astronomically expensive and the damage they do to your skin is horrendous. Cut costs by switching to a rechargeable shaver. It may cost more initially, but you will save money over time in shaving cream and razors!

7. Internet
The Internet is your friend and you can save the most money on this every single day by just following a couple steps. If you need to purchase a large item, research it and shop around. Instead of dialing 411 from your cell phone, use the Internet to search for free. Sign up at websites for discounts or join forums for tips and suggestions.

Johnny Jorgenstern likes to save money, write & visit www.termlifeinsurance.org.

How to Negotiate Fees with Solicitors

When you hire a solicitor to help you with your legal case, you will need to have a discussion with them about what the fees will be for their services. If you are knowledgeable about the types of fee arrangements this can help you deal with this aspect of hiring a solicitor.

The services of a solicitor can be expensive, but these days there are many different billing arrangements such as flat fees and “no win no fee” clauses. If you are hiring a solicitor to help you with your case, be honest and fair with them and negotiate a fee that you can live with.

Billable Hours

Billable hours are how most lawyers keep track of their time and bill their clients. They will record how much time it took them to do a particular task and bill you in fractions of an hour, usually 15 minute increments.

Ask your lawyer if they mind billing you in tenths of an hour or 6 minute segments instead. This can help you save a little bit of money because the billing will be more accurate. For example, if they spent 12 minutes doing something they might round it up to 15 if they are billing by the quarter hour.

Lower Hourly Rates

When you first discuss fees with your lawyer, they will offer you an hourly rate. However, if your case is very simple and will not require a lot of complex work you might be able to negotiate a lower hourly rate. Many law firms will actually have different rates depending on the complexity of a particular legal case.

Flat Fees

You might be able to save a bit of money if you propose that your solicitor works on a flat fee rather than an hourly rate. You can pay a set amount for their services throughout the case rather than paying them by the hour. This can work out to be cheaper and can also motivate your lawyer to use their time efficiently. It can also help you budget for your legal expenses because you know the maximum amount that you will be responsible for.

Contingency Fees

This is another billing arrangement that you could negotiate with your solicitor. With a contingency fee, if you win your lawyer will get a percentage of your winnings. If you lose, you will not have to pay anything. This is also known as a “no win no fee” arrangement and it can help you if you cannot afford lawyer’s fees otherwise. It can also inspire your lawyer to work as hard as they can on your case because their earnings depend on winning.

When negotiating fees with your lawyer, be confident and knowledgeable so that you can propose a fee arrangement that works for everyone involved.

Do Some Spring Cleaning to Your Auto Insurance Policy

As the weather gets warmer and the spring driving season comes around once more, it is a good time to reevaluate your insurance needs and what you are paying for coverage. If you're a good driver who has been with the same company for years, you may be surprised to find that you're being seriously overcharged. Since auto insurance is a major expense, it never hurts to take another look at your current policy and look for savings.

Shopping Around For New Insurance

If you're happy with the service your auto insurance company provides, it may not occur to you to look around for a new provider. This may be a major mistake: you could be paying hundreds of dollars per year more than you need to be.
Because the auto insurance industry has become so competitive in recent years, your provider's competitors may jump at the chance to offer you a lower rate. If you navigate to an insurance website and build a policy that resembles your current plan, chances are you'll be rewarded with a rate that's 20 to 30 percent lower than what you currently pay.

Re-Assess Your Coverage and Deductibles

If you haven't paid much attention to your auto insurance policy recently, it's likely that you're paying for coverage that you don't need. First, make sure that all of the cars in your household are noted on the same insurance policy, a move that could save you hundreds of dollars per year.
Next, consider increasing your deductible if you have a clean recent driving record. You'll pay much less for insurance if you carry a higher deductible, which can really pay off if you stay out of driving trouble. You should also consider dropping certain coverage if you determine they're not needed. For an example, if you have an older car, you may no longer need to pay for collision and comprehensive coverage.

Make the Call

Sometimes you don't need to change your coverage to get results - just call your current provider and ask if they can lower your rate. If you haven't talked to them in a while, this may convince them that you're serious about switching if a good enough deal presents itself. A frank conversation may just land you a new policy whose premium approximates the deals you got when you shopped around.

Bundle and Save

Finally, you may want to consider taking out all of your insurance policies--auto, life, home and health--with the same provider. Many insurers offer discounts for insureds with multi-policies. This can reduce redundancies and can save you up to 50 percent on your total insurance bill.
With these tips in mind, doing some spring-cleaning to your policy could net you some real savings.

Jason Nelson authored this article for DiscountCarInsuranceQuotes.net where drivers can learn more about car insurance discounts and obtain free quotes to shop and compare rates from leading insurers.

Tips on How to Find the Perfect Roommate for Your Apartment

Selecting a roommate to share your apartment and shoulder some of the living costs can be a great experience. However, by not doing your research and choosing someone haphazardly, could set you up for your worst nightmare. Personalities can vary from one person to the next, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for before you begin your search. The following tips will help you find the perfect roommate to share your apartment:

Make a List:

Before starting your search, write down a list of the most important attributes your roommate should have. In another column, place characteristics that are absolute deal breakers. This list will help you narrow down your search and help find the most suitable applicant during the interview process.

Network:

Ask family and friends that you know and trust if anyone would be interested in moving in together. You already know the traits and personalities of your loved ones and would be able to determine if they are a suitable match.

Advertise:

You can advertise for a roommate in the newspaper, online or by posting flyers. Be sure to include information like the cost of the rent per month, the apartment location, contact information and any other specifics.

Interview the Applicants:

Before you begin interviewing prospective roommates, prepare a thorough list of questions to ask the applicants. Do they have steady income? Will they be having frequent visitors over? Can they show you their credit history? Begin the interview process by chatting with the potential applicants over the phone. If you like what you hear and they seem like they could be a responsible roommate, schedule a meeting face-to-face.

Be Safe:

It’s important to thoroughly check an applicant out before inviting them over to your apartment. Start off with a meeting at a neutral location like a coffee house. Have them bring over pertinent paperwork that includes credit history and references. Discuss how utilities, food and other expenses will be handled. Once you have thoroughly researched them and you can see this person as your roommate, set up a meeting at your apartment to show them around.

Written Agreement:

When you’ve found the perfect applicant that has met all your qualifications, have a written agreement drawn up and signed by both parties. Make sure to list the exact costs each party will be responsible for. Include any additional specific information like move in date, when the contract will expire, if pets are allowed and if the apartment sustains any damages, who would be the responsible party.

Visit the California Apartments Blog to get more roommate and apartment living tips as well as new apartment reviews including these Long Beach lofts and these Cupertino, CA apartments for rent.

Understanding and Using the 200 Day Moving Average System

Understanding and Using the 200 Day Moving Average System
The 200 day moving averages are indicators which help in technical analysis using average values of security prices over a specific period of 200 days. These averages are used in measuring the momentum of the market and to define the areas of potential support and resistance. Moving averages are based on past prices and not the current ones; this is why they are lagging. Moving average does not predict the future of prices but simply defines the existing smooth prices. These indicators are the building blocks of the principles applied by other indicators as well.
Characteristically, when a short term average becomes higher than a long term average an upward momentum is confirmed. Similarly when the short term average drops below the long term average a downward momentum is confirmed.
Use of the This Indicator
It can be used as a trend identifier. The market keeps changing and because the averages are lagging this helps traders through studying the slope of the indicator. As the slop changes the trend changes and the traders can watch the movement of prices. If the slope is upward, it is an uptrend, and if it is downward, it is a downtrend. There are 3 types of trend indicators that tell the trend. These include:
i) Multiple moving averages: this uses the 100, 200 and 400 EMA. When all the three are sloping in the same direction at a good angle and separation, it shows a good trend. When all three are clustered together, it represents a period of Consolidation. For Example;
ii) MACD indicator: in this case all a trader needs to do is to check if the trigger lines are above or below the zero line/ centerline. If the 2 lines are above the zero line, it is an uptrend, and if it is below, then it is a down trend.
iii) ADX Indicator: this indicator works better for strengths of the trends obtained from the graphs above. When the ADX points upward, the market trend is strong and vice versa. The graph below explains better:
It can also be used as a strength identifier. When there is an uptrend, there can still be two forms of strength. These are; Trending and Quiet, and Trending and Volatile. The graphs below represent these two principles:
From these graphs it can be observed that when the slope is less steep, it is the trending and quiet market. When the slope is steeper, it is the trending and volatile market.
This indicator can also be used to analyze support or resistance levels in the market. The market generally respects the data in moving averages more than other EMAs and this makes it the most significant type of indicator to use. The diagram below explains why:
It provides entry signals for traders. When prices rise up traders can enter for the long trade. Similarly if the price moves below the average, the traders can go for the short trades. Likewise traders in the long trade can exit when the prices move below the average and enter when the prices are above the average.
Application in leveraged ETF's is also a use of this indicator. It helps traders by guiding them on how to keep their trading toward the right side of the market for both stocks and ETFs.
Therefore to conclude, this indicator is one of the best and easiest one to use, and has also been recommended by Forex.

The 200 day moving average system is one of the best trading indicators according to most traders. This is not just because it is easy to use and understand but also because of its flexibility in trading.
You can use it while trading forex and Binary Options

Our most recommended Binary Options Brokers: iOption, AnyOption

Poor or No Credit? Here’s What You Should Know

A credit card gives you more purchasing options along with the flexibility of making payments that fit into your monthly budget. Aside from allowing you to buy items that may be out of your available cash price range, a credit card helps you pay unexpected bills and tackle other unforeseen expenses. You make at least the minimum payment each month and maintain a good credit rating, and you're all set. In a perfect world, this would apply to everybody. However, there are circumstances where you may have less-than-perfect credit or simply have little or no credit history. This does not automatically prohibit you from obtaining a credit card.

Is a Credit Card Right for You?

Before you start the process of applying for a credit card, it’s important to determine if a credit card is right for your needs. A credit card is best for smaller purchases that can be fully paid over several months. If you are looking to make a large purchase, a personal loan may be a better option for you. Consult with your bank about the various options for a personal loan including a secured loan. Before signing up for a credit card, confirm the terms of agreement. This includes the interest rate, your maximum credit limit and any related fees such as over-the-limit charges. Make sure you can afford the minimum payment. Bad credit tends to follow you around for many years and can make it difficult to obtain credit in the future.

Poor Credit History

Some lenders look at more than just your credit history when making a decision. If there are issues on our credit report that are not your fault, it’s important to mention this either on the application or when contacting the lender. A divorce, for example, may make your credit look bad even if you weren't responsible for the credit issues with your accounts during your marriage. If a lender is willing to look at merit, present proof that you have a steady source of income and are capable of paying the minimum payment each month. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks to receive a decision about your application for most cards. If you are not approved, you have the right to ask for the reasons why you were not approved and request a free copy of your credit report.

Little to No Credit History

Another reason you may be turned down for a credit card is lack of a credit history. If this is the case, there are a few ways to get around this issue. The easiest way is to have your name attached to another card holder's account. This allows you to demonstrate responsibility and build a credit history. You want to make sure the other person on the card has a good credit history, at least with that particular card. A joint account holder's bad credit with that particular card carries over to your credit report. Another option is to obtain a debit card through your bank. This allows you to build a credit history in a controlled setting. Keep in mind that with a debit card you are limited to the funds you actually have available in your account.

Note: Surprisingly, you may have difficulty getting approved for a credit card if you pay off your balance on other cards every month or only have a card that requires you to pay the balance off every month. Consider getting something like a gas card that carries a small balance over to the next month.

Your first step should be obtaining a copy of your credit report. Legally, a company that turns you down for credit must give you a reason. Credit reporting agencies are also required to respond to any disputes you may have with a billing issue within a specific amount of time. If they do not, any negative marks on your credit report must be removed. If there are issues with your credit report, contact these agencies first. You may want to review the Fair Credit Reporting Act or contact a credit repair company. Your second step is to compare your credit card options. Make sure you are aware of any fees and potential penalties. Credit can be a valuable asset, as long as you are aware of your options, rights and responsibilities as a card holder.

Andrew Bennett is a finance consultant who suggests obtaining a credit card to rebuild credit history once it has been damaged.