moneytalks

It’s really weird, I tend to be more free spending when I have less money. The more money I have the less of it I want to spend. I just paid off a few large debts and now have the urge to go out and spend. This is all just in my head, I very rarely act on this seeing as how I’m pretty cheap—I mean frugal. I wonder if this is a common problem with most people. I feel like I’m good with money I just go through some times when I have the urge to spend. I guess we all have to spend a little now and then. If we didn’t then we’d just be wasting away. You can’t take your bank account with you when you die.

We all know that the winter is the spending season. There is a reason that stores call that Friday after Thanksgiving “Black Friday”. All year they hover around in that red area waiting for everyone to spend all their money. And sure enough year after year people do it. Personally, I’m a wait until the last minute kind of guy. There is nothing wrong with spending money and buying gifts. The problem comes with a couple things. One thing is that when you spend a lot of money that you don’t have. Of course I’m talking about credit cards. These little plastic devils make you think you have more money than you actually do. But when it comes time to pay that bill you quickly realize that you don’t have the money. Another mistake people make is not saving money in advance. Around now is probably too late for most people. Unless of course you’re talking about Christmas of ‘09. And the next mistake I see people make is when you don’t cut back on any other spending. You are spending money that you normally don’t spend so how about not spending money where you usually do spend it? This is a crazy idea to most. They can’t live without eating out twice a week and buying those new clothes that they don’t actually need. Cut that spending and you won’t see a difference in your monthly spending when it comes time to buy Christmas gifts. Hopefully you can take some of this and make this year a debt free and worry free holiday year.

I had to drive up to Rochester NY from my home in Cleveland Ohio yesterday and decided to make a pit stop at the casino in Niagara Falls New York, Seneca Niagara. How could I resist, I don’t get to play my favorite game, craps, much anymore being a new father and all. So when the only thing that separated me from a casino was a mere 20 miles I knew what I had to do. I’ve been to this casino a few times in the past but it seems like they have added a bit since my last time there. By the way I did very well, thanks for asking. I did well enough that I decided that a day off of work today was a nice gift to myself. I’d highly recommend checking this casino out, nice location for the non gamblers that tag along (It’s a 10 minute walk to the falls) and the hotel has many nice amenities and restaurants to choose from. Me being Vegan I’m not sure what they had that I could eat but I’m sure I could find something, they had an Asian and Italian restaurant. Good fun, go check it out.

I have news of a new deal offered by CitiBank. It is a deal that puts one hundred dollars into bank account. There are a couple of catches but nothing too severe. It goes like this, sign up for a checking account through CitiBank with a minimum balance of $1,000. Do this by December 31st 2008 and you are eligible. Once you open your account you must have at least one direct deposit and two electronic bill payments for three consecutive months and you’ll receive your one hundred dollars. Like many deals that I write about this would be a great deal if you are looking to open a new account already. If not it may be hard to justify finding a bank to set up bill pay and direct deposit to.

I’m currently self employed and I will continue to be self employed considering my next career move is becoming a real estate agent. Currently it’s about 8:50am on a Friday morning and it’s rainy and dingy outside. I have NO motivation to get off this computer and get to work. Although in a few minutes I’ll get up and get ready and head out the door. What motivates me? Money? Is that the only thing that makes me go to work everyday. Don’t get me wrong, money is a great motivator. Without it I couldn’t pay my car loan or my credit card bills but there must be something else that makes that person, who doesn’t have to work any particular day, get up and go to work. Boredom could come to mind, the feeling that I’m letting down my family could be another. If any self employed people read this I’d love to hear from you, tell me what motivates you to get up on days like this.

Yet again we are faced with soaring gas prices due to something that may or may not happen. A crystal ball is more likely to effect our crude oil prices more than actual facts and it’s about time this stopped.  Currently a hurricane that is forming in the Gulf of Mexico and the powers that be have already assumed that refineries will be damaged. I’m sick of everyone being punished at the pump for speculation and fear controlling gas prices more than supply and demand does. I’ve stated this before but I’ll repeat myself again, the prices sure do rise a lot faster than they fall. Maybe one day the oil giants won’t be the ones with the last laugh, perhaps we the consumers will have our way someday.

There is the always lingering question that goes through the mind of many people, “should I pay off that debt or keep the money for an emergency”. At least I know that’s what was going through my mind recently. Especially since one of those debts was a non interest credit card. Two cards were interest bearing so they were probably smart choices to pay off. It’s just hard when you work hard to save up money and then see the vast majority of it disappear in a heartbeat. Now my girlfriend and I have fewer bills each month but less money for those “just in case” moments. It almost feels like you’re starting over but in the end I know that creating less debt for yourself is ultimately your best option.

Wells Fargo bank is offering quite possibly the easiest free money offer I’ve seen in a long time. Here’s the deal, you open a new Wells Fargo checking account and within 45 days they’ll deposit $50 into your account. The only requirements that I can find is that the minimum deposit must be $100 or more, that’s it. Just go to wellsfargo.com and sign up for any non interest bearing checking account (excluding the teen, college or opportunity accounts) by October 17th 2008. Not to take advantage of this offer would be crazy, an investment of a mere $100 gives you a return of 50% on your money in just over a month.

Before the age of technology your hobby was probably just that, a hobby. If you made cute little knitted scarfs you would be short on avenues to sell this item. So those things just ended up as gifts or sitting in a closet. With places like Ebay, today is a much different story. Many are making extra money with their pass-time. I’m just trying to offer up some tips on how to make this venture as successful as possible. First off, make something you enjoy. Don’t waste your time making necklaces if you hate jewelry. You won’t have fun and you probably wouldn’t be too good at it. Next you need to be creative. Think outside the box when you decide what to make. Try variations of products, go on Ebay and see if your idea is already selling. One of the most important things to do is to market yourself. If you knit, do it out in public. Interest may be drawn to you giving you the chance to market your website or your Ebay name. Lastly, just practice. You may not be great at first but if you keep going at it you’ll become what you want at making your craft. Have fun and make that money.

It seems like offering free gas is what gets the attention of the people nowadays. I’m not really sure why free gas vs. free money is more popular but it is. With gas prices getting up to $4 a gallon and higher I guess the words “free” and “gas” together just spark interest. Anyway, no matter what the reason it is a nice offer. What they are doing is giving you a free $100 gas card with an application of the US bank cash bonus check card with a checking account. Got that? The way it works is, you receive $50 for using your check card at the pump of any Exxon or Mobile pump. The next $50 is given when you link your get a speedpass key tag through Exxon and spend $50 at the pump using this. After that is done $50 is credited back to your account. Go to USBank.com for information on signing up.