Friday, June 4, 2010
Loans for the unemployed – Solution of Unexpected Outlays by Allan Border
Unemployed problems are creating in whole world. And so many people have to face it. Mostly this problem creates in India because the one reason is that a lot of people are uneducated here yet many people are also educated here. But however some people can not get the job then they have to face unemployment. Only unemployed people know how to live in their life. Always they depend on others and compelled with their unemployment. Sometime they have to die their feelings cause of money. In that case, they can take help of loans for unemployed peoples.
Every person wants to do enjoy in his life. Your parents can not give to you support also in whole life. Your friends enjoy in their life because they have good job and they get good salary. They can do everything in their life. They do not need for anything. They can complete own their necessities. They do not take support of their parents. If you don not have good job and you are searching for job and you are not succession to find the job then what would you do. How will you complete your dream & necessities?
Some people get compel to do suicide. All we know that any problem can not solve after doing suicide. Every person should have courage. All people should face every difficulty in their life because everything is possible in world. After all these circumstances you think about unemployed loan. And you apply in any one company for loan. When you go to Loan Company, company will give you two options secured & unsecured credit loan then you have to choose.
Company asks you some records like your account number, electricity bills, name, occupation, address etc. After these formalities company will verify to your records then will give you loan. It also gives you limited days for paying back amount. Within 24 hours you can get amount in your account. On the other hand you can get loans for the unemployed internet. If you are 18 years old then you can apply for loan otherwise you can not apply.
If being on the look out for getting decent as well as authentic information with regard to loans for the unemployed, Unemployed Unsecured Loans, tenant loans for unemployed peoples, just visit http://www.unemployedloansforthepeoples.co.uk, which is maintained by distinguished content writer in addition to loan analyst.
Article Source: Loans for the unemployed – Solution of Unexpected Outlays
Unemployed problems are creating in whole world. And so many people have to face it. Mostly this problem creates in India because the one reason is that a lot of people are uneducated here yet many people are also educated here. But however some people can not get the job then they have to face unemployment. Only unemployed people know how to live in their life. Always they depend on others and compelled with their unemployment. Sometime they have to die their feelings cause of money. In that case, they can take help of loans for unemployed peoples.
Every person wants to do enjoy in his life. Your parents can not give to you support also in whole life. Your friends enjoy in their life because they have good job and they get good salary. They can do everything in their life. They do not need for anything. They can complete own their necessities. They do not take support of their parents. If you don not have good job and you are searching for job and you are not succession to find the job then what would you do. How will you complete your dream & necessities?
Some people get compel to do suicide. All we know that any problem can not solve after doing suicide. Every person should have courage. All people should face every difficulty in their life because everything is possible in world. After all these circumstances you think about unemployed loan. And you apply in any one company for loan. When you go to Loan Company, company will give you two options secured & unsecured credit loan then you have to choose.
Company asks you some records like your account number, electricity bills, name, occupation, address etc. After these formalities company will verify to your records then will give you loan. It also gives you limited days for paying back amount. Within 24 hours you can get amount in your account. On the other hand you can get loans for the unemployed internet. If you are 18 years old then you can apply for loan otherwise you can not apply.
If being on the look out for getting decent as well as authentic information with regard to loans for the unemployed, Unemployed Unsecured Loans, tenant loans for unemployed peoples, just visit http://www.unemployedloansforthepeoples.co.uk, which is maintained by distinguished content writer in addition to loan analyst.
Article Source: Loans for the unemployed – Solution of Unexpected Outlays
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
6 Secrets To The 30-Day Grocery Challenge by Allison Berry
Cutting costs is about getting creative. It’s also about refocusing priorities. You may be spending less money than you’re used to, and buying fewer luxuries. There are ways to reduce spending that don’t have to make you feel broke and lonely. Enter the 30-Day Grocery Challenge: 30 days, $200 limit on groceries.
Months back, I wrangled my husband and made it a household challenge. It got incredibly challenging, but it also got really fun! It pulled out my most creative self, and gave me ideas for cost cutting in other areas I never would have considered had I not entered the challenge
The rules of the game are that you have $200 for the whole month. So if you under-spend one week, you have that surplus to add to your balance for later in the month. Don’t overspend! It’ll make it really hard to eat later in the week. Get resourceful! It’ll go a long way.
Here are some tips to getting to Day 30 well fed and on budget.
1. Take inventory of your pantry and freezer.
- Go through your entire cupboard and pull out the staples—pasta, rice, beans, grains. Line them up in order of weeks. How many meals can each of them contribute to each week till they are gone?
- Then pull out the long neglected items—the canned garbanzo beans, hearts of palm, and Thai chili soups—and set them aside to start planning how you can turn them into spectacular feats of cuisine as the month unfolds.
- Label the items in your freezer in order of the weeks you want to eat them in your 30- Day plan. It may be gratifying to save those burgers till Week 4, when creativity is waning.
- Take note of the condiments in the fridge. What can you make in the next 30 days that you can use those pickled lemons in?
-Use your $50 a week to augment what you already have.
2. Uncover your favorite all-purpose recipe books.
Hint: Vegetarian chefs are known for their remarkable creativity with staple ingredients and a few dashes of produce. These can be prolific help on a budget, and refill your reservoir of recipe ideas when wondering what to make with the three bags of rice you found in the back of the cupboard. Pick up one at the library, borrow one from your neighbor, or find several at a used bookstore.
3. Plan, plan, plan.
- Once you have inventoried your food supply, make a list and don’t buy anything you already have!
- Make a loose meal plan for the month, based on what’s in your kitchen, and what you think you might buy on your budget. As each week begins, make a more detailed meal plan for that week.
- Keep the grocery trips to a minimum, and never shop hungry. To stay inside the budget, it’s best to buy once, maybe twice for the week. Bring your list of items you have (keep it in your purse or your car). Cross items off the list once you have eaten them.
4. Get creative with single ingredients.
If you purchase a main course item on special, like fish or meat, consider serving part of it as a main course one night with rice or veggies, then mincing up the rest for tacos or casserole.
5. Stick to it.
After a couple of weeks, the challenge can get a little dicey. Week three, you may start looking longingly into the grocery market freezer at the $5 Ben & Jerry’s. The trick is to stay on track, stick to your daily plan, and know that in 30 days, you can have your specialty ice cream.
6. Talk about it!
It’s best to start this challenge with a partner or a group. Enroll people at work to take the challenge with you. Get your neighbors in on it. You will keep each other on track and hold each other accountable. And truthfully, it’s just more fun that way. You can go so far as to make a big progress chart in someone’s garage, trade recipes, or trade items you have a surplus of for items your neighbor has a surplus of. The possibilities are endless there, and the encouragement that kicks in when you’re ready to quit is priceless.
Success Pays
When you get into the challenge, it becomes a ritual, and all of a sudden, you find yourself through one week saying, I can’t believe we did it! The success feels fantastic. You feel freedom in it, more than what you might imagine on a reduction plan. My husband and I crafted awesome new recipes, learned how to make granola really cheaply, and got the value of our dollar out of every meal.
Is it sustainable after the first month? If you have a great time, and it’s a breeze for you, keep at it. For my family, we got busy after we completed the challenge, and let the plans slide. But the experience of those 30 days gave us cost saving, valuable habits we still use today. I find myself shopping with that hawk-eye for value. And certain weeks, I take stock of the pantry and launch a mini-challenge to last through the week.
Article Source: 6 Secrets To The 30-Day Grocery Challenge
Cutting costs is about getting creative. It’s also about refocusing priorities. You may be spending less money than you’re used to, and buying fewer luxuries. There are ways to reduce spending that don’t have to make you feel broke and lonely. Enter the 30-Day Grocery Challenge: 30 days, $200 limit on groceries.
Months back, I wrangled my husband and made it a household challenge. It got incredibly challenging, but it also got really fun! It pulled out my most creative self, and gave me ideas for cost cutting in other areas I never would have considered had I not entered the challenge
The rules of the game are that you have $200 for the whole month. So if you under-spend one week, you have that surplus to add to your balance for later in the month. Don’t overspend! It’ll make it really hard to eat later in the week. Get resourceful! It’ll go a long way.
Here are some tips to getting to Day 30 well fed and on budget.
1. Take inventory of your pantry and freezer.
- Go through your entire cupboard and pull out the staples—pasta, rice, beans, grains. Line them up in order of weeks. How many meals can each of them contribute to each week till they are gone?
- Then pull out the long neglected items—the canned garbanzo beans, hearts of palm, and Thai chili soups—and set them aside to start planning how you can turn them into spectacular feats of cuisine as the month unfolds.
- Label the items in your freezer in order of the weeks you want to eat them in your 30- Day plan. It may be gratifying to save those burgers till Week 4, when creativity is waning.
- Take note of the condiments in the fridge. What can you make in the next 30 days that you can use those pickled lemons in?
-Use your $50 a week to augment what you already have.
2. Uncover your favorite all-purpose recipe books.
Hint: Vegetarian chefs are known for their remarkable creativity with staple ingredients and a few dashes of produce. These can be prolific help on a budget, and refill your reservoir of recipe ideas when wondering what to make with the three bags of rice you found in the back of the cupboard. Pick up one at the library, borrow one from your neighbor, or find several at a used bookstore.
3. Plan, plan, plan.
- Once you have inventoried your food supply, make a list and don’t buy anything you already have!
- Make a loose meal plan for the month, based on what’s in your kitchen, and what you think you might buy on your budget. As each week begins, make a more detailed meal plan for that week.
- Keep the grocery trips to a minimum, and never shop hungry. To stay inside the budget, it’s best to buy once, maybe twice for the week. Bring your list of items you have (keep it in your purse or your car). Cross items off the list once you have eaten them.
4. Get creative with single ingredients.
If you purchase a main course item on special, like fish or meat, consider serving part of it as a main course one night with rice or veggies, then mincing up the rest for tacos or casserole.
5. Stick to it.
After a couple of weeks, the challenge can get a little dicey. Week three, you may start looking longingly into the grocery market freezer at the $5 Ben & Jerry’s. The trick is to stay on track, stick to your daily plan, and know that in 30 days, you can have your specialty ice cream.
6. Talk about it!
It’s best to start this challenge with a partner or a group. Enroll people at work to take the challenge with you. Get your neighbors in on it. You will keep each other on track and hold each other accountable. And truthfully, it’s just more fun that way. You can go so far as to make a big progress chart in someone’s garage, trade recipes, or trade items you have a surplus of for items your neighbor has a surplus of. The possibilities are endless there, and the encouragement that kicks in when you’re ready to quit is priceless.
Success Pays
When you get into the challenge, it becomes a ritual, and all of a sudden, you find yourself through one week saying, I can’t believe we did it! The success feels fantastic. You feel freedom in it, more than what you might imagine on a reduction plan. My husband and I crafted awesome new recipes, learned how to make granola really cheaply, and got the value of our dollar out of every meal.
Is it sustainable after the first month? If you have a great time, and it’s a breeze for you, keep at it. For my family, we got busy after we completed the challenge, and let the plans slide. But the experience of those 30 days gave us cost saving, valuable habits we still use today. I find myself shopping with that hawk-eye for value. And certain weeks, I take stock of the pantry and launch a mini-challenge to last through the week.
Allison Berry is the author of this article on Personal Finance And Budget Advice.
Find more information about Personal Finance Software here.
Article Source: 6 Secrets To The 30-Day Grocery Challenge
Monday, May 3, 2010
Consumers Less Likely To Deal With High Overdraft Fees In Future by CreditReport.com
Even with major revisions having been implemented to the nation's credit card laws earlier this year, consumers haven't seen the last of changes to the ways they use plastic.
One area that has continued to attract attention from government regulators and consumer advocates is the amount that lenders tend to charge for late fees and overdrafts on debit cards. For example, an overdraft fee can often be as high as $39 even if the purchase that triggered it was as small as a few dollars.
In response, the Federal Reserve recently announced a new set of rules that include the requirement that such fees must be proportional to the amount a person actually overdrafts by. Other parts of the proposal would ban inactivity fees, as well as multiple penalty fees for the same violation of account terms.
The Federal Reserve proposals would also contain language directing card companies to evaluate whether a customer merits having their interest rates brought back to a lower level if those rates were increased since January 1, 2009. Lenders would also be required to inform consumers of the reason their rates had gone up.
In response to the changing climate for consumers and credit card companies, Bank of America made an announcement this week that could be a sign of things to come.
According to the financial services giant, as of this summer it will only approve debit card transactions that are covered by a sufficient amount of money in the account at the time of sale. This would essentially allow the company to sidestep the debate over the size of overdraft fees that consumers are charged in such cases.
The company also noted that people will still have the option of overdraft protection by linking to another account.
"We understand that the environment has changed, and we are changing with it," said Bank of America executive Susan Faulkner.
For consumers who have been working hard to build up their credit score and personal finances, the announcement could be a positive sign because it will give them more of a motivation to keep a close eye on their purchasing decisions. The news also comes at a time when a growing number of consumers have been using their debit cards in favor of credit cards with an eye on cutting back on interest charges and the other fees they may be charged.
I am the SEO Specialist at www.creditreport.com
Article Source: Consumers Less Likely To Deal With High Overdraft Fees In Future
Even with major revisions having been implemented to the nation's credit card laws earlier this year, consumers haven't seen the last of changes to the ways they use plastic.
One area that has continued to attract attention from government regulators and consumer advocates is the amount that lenders tend to charge for late fees and overdrafts on debit cards. For example, an overdraft fee can often be as high as $39 even if the purchase that triggered it was as small as a few dollars.
In response, the Federal Reserve recently announced a new set of rules that include the requirement that such fees must be proportional to the amount a person actually overdrafts by. Other parts of the proposal would ban inactivity fees, as well as multiple penalty fees for the same violation of account terms.
The Federal Reserve proposals would also contain language directing card companies to evaluate whether a customer merits having their interest rates brought back to a lower level if those rates were increased since January 1, 2009. Lenders would also be required to inform consumers of the reason their rates had gone up.
In response to the changing climate for consumers and credit card companies, Bank of America made an announcement this week that could be a sign of things to come.
According to the financial services giant, as of this summer it will only approve debit card transactions that are covered by a sufficient amount of money in the account at the time of sale. This would essentially allow the company to sidestep the debate over the size of overdraft fees that consumers are charged in such cases.
The company also noted that people will still have the option of overdraft protection by linking to another account.
"We understand that the environment has changed, and we are changing with it," said Bank of America executive Susan Faulkner.
For consumers who have been working hard to build up their credit score and personal finances, the announcement could be a positive sign because it will give them more of a motivation to keep a close eye on their purchasing decisions. The news also comes at a time when a growing number of consumers have been using their debit cards in favor of credit cards with an eye on cutting back on interest charges and the other fees they may be charged.
I am the SEO Specialist at www.creditreport.com
Article Source: Consumers Less Likely To Deal With High Overdraft Fees In Future
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Importance of an Emergency Fund by Ron Cheli
Surviving this economy has been tough for a lot of people. Millions of people have lost their jobs which has contributed to millions of people losing their homes, cars, accustomed lifestyles, and much more. I'm no stranger to job loss as I was laid off from a position back in 2005 as a Buyer from a manufacturing company that experienced a sharp decline in orders which resulted in a massive layoff. I was lucky enough to have found a new job within six months of my layoff and I didn't have to sell off assets to stay afloat. Granted, getting an unemployment check definitely helped but it's a short-term solution to something that may be a long-term situation.
What kept me mentally and monetarily strong during this time was the fact that I put money into an Emergency Fund on a monthly basis in case anything should happen in regards to my job, health, or anything else where I would need money right away without having to charge or borrow which is something I wanted to stay away from. From watching the news and reading magazine articles and books I have seen that the majority of Americans spend what they make and even borrow to live beyond their means. I found this to be startling. I'm well aware that a lot of us like to keep up with the Jones's, charge things we feel we can pay off in the near future, upgrade our homes or purchase a home that may be a little out of our price range but still feel comfortable taking on a little more risk for the benefit of our family and so on, but I had no idea people were such super spenders who have no regard for saving.
I feel a lot of people in these situations felt they could borrow from their 401k's and IRA's if things got tough but why bother? You get hit with taxes and penalties by doing so and you're setting yourself up for failure in regards to your retirement plans. I think 401k's and IRA's are great investments but I would never borrow from them unless I was absolutely desperate, which is not a position I would ever put myself into. Living within your means is very simple and it allows you to save money in an interest bearing account which will allow you to use this money for emergencies. I feel everyone should have both a regular savings account as well as an emergency fund.
The first step is to pick a bank to open up a savings account that you will call your Emergency Fund. You can do an online search to determine what bank is best suited for you. Each bank offers different interest rates and has different benefits so it is important to do your homework before opening an account. I recommend using an online bank such as ING Direct because you can set up your account easily, earn higher interest rates than your typical brick and mortar bank, and it is more difficult to get your money out if you have a craving to buy something on impulse since it usually takes several days to transfer your money from an online bank to your regular brick and mortar bank.
Once you have opened an account with a bank put your savings on auto-pilot. I have been using a personal budget for two years now and I absolutely love it. I know how much money I have to the penny each and every month which allows me to plan accordingly. It is important to know how much money you're bringing in every month as well as your fixed monthly expenses. Once you know how much you have left over you should subtract your variable expenses to figure out how much you have left over each month that can be put into a savings account. Most experts agree that you should always pay yourself first so my suggestion is to come up with a monthly figure or percentage of your take home pay that you want to put in your savings account and set up an auto transfer each month (or paycheck) for this amount. I know a lot of people probably feel more comfortable doing it manually but this can be a big mistake since it makes it easier to spend these funds rather than put them in an Emergency Fund which is not good.
In closing, I know everyone's financial situations are different but this is no excuse for not putting away money in case something happens. Your Emergency Fund should be completely separate from a regular Savings Account and these fund should not be touched unless absolutely necessary. You'll find that by having this money you'll have less stress and learn to become more financially responsible going forward.
Article Source: The Importance of an Emergency Fund
Surviving this economy has been tough for a lot of people. Millions of people have lost their jobs which has contributed to millions of people losing their homes, cars, accustomed lifestyles, and much more. I'm no stranger to job loss as I was laid off from a position back in 2005 as a Buyer from a manufacturing company that experienced a sharp decline in orders which resulted in a massive layoff. I was lucky enough to have found a new job within six months of my layoff and I didn't have to sell off assets to stay afloat. Granted, getting an unemployment check definitely helped but it's a short-term solution to something that may be a long-term situation.
What kept me mentally and monetarily strong during this time was the fact that I put money into an Emergency Fund on a monthly basis in case anything should happen in regards to my job, health, or anything else where I would need money right away without having to charge or borrow which is something I wanted to stay away from. From watching the news and reading magazine articles and books I have seen that the majority of Americans spend what they make and even borrow to live beyond their means. I found this to be startling. I'm well aware that a lot of us like to keep up with the Jones's, charge things we feel we can pay off in the near future, upgrade our homes or purchase a home that may be a little out of our price range but still feel comfortable taking on a little more risk for the benefit of our family and so on, but I had no idea people were such super spenders who have no regard for saving.
I feel a lot of people in these situations felt they could borrow from their 401k's and IRA's if things got tough but why bother? You get hit with taxes and penalties by doing so and you're setting yourself up for failure in regards to your retirement plans. I think 401k's and IRA's are great investments but I would never borrow from them unless I was absolutely desperate, which is not a position I would ever put myself into. Living within your means is very simple and it allows you to save money in an interest bearing account which will allow you to use this money for emergencies. I feel everyone should have both a regular savings account as well as an emergency fund.
The first step is to pick a bank to open up a savings account that you will call your Emergency Fund. You can do an online search to determine what bank is best suited for you. Each bank offers different interest rates and has different benefits so it is important to do your homework before opening an account. I recommend using an online bank such as ING Direct because you can set up your account easily, earn higher interest rates than your typical brick and mortar bank, and it is more difficult to get your money out if you have a craving to buy something on impulse since it usually takes several days to transfer your money from an online bank to your regular brick and mortar bank.
Once you have opened an account with a bank put your savings on auto-pilot. I have been using a personal budget for two years now and I absolutely love it. I know how much money I have to the penny each and every month which allows me to plan accordingly. It is important to know how much money you're bringing in every month as well as your fixed monthly expenses. Once you know how much you have left over you should subtract your variable expenses to figure out how much you have left over each month that can be put into a savings account. Most experts agree that you should always pay yourself first so my suggestion is to come up with a monthly figure or percentage of your take home pay that you want to put in your savings account and set up an auto transfer each month (or paycheck) for this amount. I know a lot of people probably feel more comfortable doing it manually but this can be a big mistake since it makes it easier to spend these funds rather than put them in an Emergency Fund which is not good.
In closing, I know everyone's financial situations are different but this is no excuse for not putting away money in case something happens. Your Emergency Fund should be completely separate from a regular Savings Account and these fund should not be touched unless absolutely necessary. You'll find that by having this money you'll have less stress and learn to become more financially responsible going forward.
Ron Cheli is the owner of CardioCareStore.com. He enjoys leading a healthy lifestyle which includes exercising regularly and eating healthy. Ron began his career as a Buyer in the retail industry and worked his way up to a General Manager and Regional Operations Manager at two of the largest transportation companies in the world. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Operations Management and an MBA.
Article Source: The Importance of an Emergency Fund
Friday, April 30, 2010
Save Money Not Having Lunch with Co-Workers by ES Ewen
If you are clipping and using grocery coupons to save on your grocery bills to stay within a budget each month, you know the importance of cutting your spending in other areas, too.
You are most certainly familiar with the routine. The clock on the wall in the office says noon and the usual group of coworkers decide where to have lunch. In many modern offices in cities and towns, where the driving time to the nearest eatery takes up a good portion of the lunch hour, not to mention adding wear and tear to the car and using up gas for the car.
It’s difficult to find a decent lunch for fewer than ten bucks including tip. You swallow your food, share a few laughs with coworkers and run back to the office wishing you could take a nap somewhere.
As you make your way back to your desk, you notice this gal putting away his brown paper bag. She seems calm, happy and ready to get back to work, some of which he apparently did while enjoying his lunch and thinking how delicious it was, the hassle she avoided by eating at she desk, and how much money she saved.
But is the money you save really worth the time and effect needed to prepare and bring your lunch to work each day? Let’s take a few minutes to do the math to see how much money you can save.
For example, let’s say you can fix your own lunch at a cost of about $3.50 a day. It’s probably much cheaper if you are buying in bulk and using grocery coupons. That works out to $17.50 for a five day work week.
And let’s say you spend $10.00 per lunch eating out five day a week, which comes to $50.00 each week, not counting wear and tear on the car and gas money.
The difference comes to $32.50 each week that you are spending on lunch with the gang. That works out to $1,625 a year. Is that money that you could use for something else more essential?
A great way to get started with brown bagging your lunch is to talk people you know who are already doing it. But here are some tips to get you rolling:
Prepare the lunch the night before so you’re not hurried in the morning. You don’t want to be stressed early in the morning over what you will be eating for lunch. Keep the menu simple but be creative and prepare something different everyday, and always think healthy. Simple sandwiches with whole gain breads are fine, but try to include some nuts, at least a serving of fruit or yogurt. Also, brown bag a treat for yourself that you can look forward to, maybe a health bar or your favorite snake.
Keep your brown bag lunches in mind when you are shopping for your groceries, which means planning ahead and buying in bulk. Instead of buying small individual packaged bags something which usually cost more, buy it in large packages and divide up smaller portions and put them in smaller re-sealable plastic bags.
If you don’t like sandwiches or you prefer home cooked meals, plan to cook larger than normal dinners and save some “left over” for lunch either for the next day or the whole week. Put the lunches in individual containers the night before so you can brown bag it and go the next morning.
Even with all the planning, you’re bound to be running late on some mornings or just don’t have time to prepare lunch the night before. There’s nothing wrong with occasionally eating out a can once in awhile. Leave a can of soup or vegetable chili at the office. Most offices have at least a small kitchen with toaster ovens or microwaves that you can use for heating up your soups.
Don’t forget to bring your drink. Don’t rely on the soda venting machines that are also in the office kitchens. You can stock up on a 12-pack of soda for as little as 10 cents a can. Of course, you can always just drink water, which is usually free provided by the office, with your lunch.
Depending on your work load, you may or may not want to have working lunches. That’s up to you. The time is your time and you can use it to catch up on personal emails or just take a break from work. You just may find that you are more relaxed, less hurried and more productive. Don’t be surprised if your coworkers come to you for tips on brown bagging their lunch.
There are lots of good points to brown bagging your lunch: You eat healthier, save time and money, and you’re more productive. Now you have a new task of figuring out where in your budget to allocate the money you saved.
If you are interest in learning how to save money buying your grocery items for your brown bag lunch by using grocery coupons, visit http://www.couponsforgroceriessite.com/, where you will find ideas on where to find free grocery coupons to print from home.
Article Source: Save Money Not Having Lunch with Co-Workers
If you are clipping and using grocery coupons to save on your grocery bills to stay within a budget each month, you know the importance of cutting your spending in other areas, too.
You are most certainly familiar with the routine. The clock on the wall in the office says noon and the usual group of coworkers decide where to have lunch. In many modern offices in cities and towns, where the driving time to the nearest eatery takes up a good portion of the lunch hour, not to mention adding wear and tear to the car and using up gas for the car.
It’s difficult to find a decent lunch for fewer than ten bucks including tip. You swallow your food, share a few laughs with coworkers and run back to the office wishing you could take a nap somewhere.
As you make your way back to your desk, you notice this gal putting away his brown paper bag. She seems calm, happy and ready to get back to work, some of which he apparently did while enjoying his lunch and thinking how delicious it was, the hassle she avoided by eating at she desk, and how much money she saved.
But is the money you save really worth the time and effect needed to prepare and bring your lunch to work each day? Let’s take a few minutes to do the math to see how much money you can save.
For example, let’s say you can fix your own lunch at a cost of about $3.50 a day. It’s probably much cheaper if you are buying in bulk and using grocery coupons. That works out to $17.50 for a five day work week.
And let’s say you spend $10.00 per lunch eating out five day a week, which comes to $50.00 each week, not counting wear and tear on the car and gas money.
The difference comes to $32.50 each week that you are spending on lunch with the gang. That works out to $1,625 a year. Is that money that you could use for something else more essential?
A great way to get started with brown bagging your lunch is to talk people you know who are already doing it. But here are some tips to get you rolling:
Prepare the lunch the night before so you’re not hurried in the morning. You don’t want to be stressed early in the morning over what you will be eating for lunch. Keep the menu simple but be creative and prepare something different everyday, and always think healthy. Simple sandwiches with whole gain breads are fine, but try to include some nuts, at least a serving of fruit or yogurt. Also, brown bag a treat for yourself that you can look forward to, maybe a health bar or your favorite snake.
Keep your brown bag lunches in mind when you are shopping for your groceries, which means planning ahead and buying in bulk. Instead of buying small individual packaged bags something which usually cost more, buy it in large packages and divide up smaller portions and put them in smaller re-sealable plastic bags.
If you don’t like sandwiches or you prefer home cooked meals, plan to cook larger than normal dinners and save some “left over” for lunch either for the next day or the whole week. Put the lunches in individual containers the night before so you can brown bag it and go the next morning.
Even with all the planning, you’re bound to be running late on some mornings or just don’t have time to prepare lunch the night before. There’s nothing wrong with occasionally eating out a can once in awhile. Leave a can of soup or vegetable chili at the office. Most offices have at least a small kitchen with toaster ovens or microwaves that you can use for heating up your soups.
Don’t forget to bring your drink. Don’t rely on the soda venting machines that are also in the office kitchens. You can stock up on a 12-pack of soda for as little as 10 cents a can. Of course, you can always just drink water, which is usually free provided by the office, with your lunch.
Depending on your work load, you may or may not want to have working lunches. That’s up to you. The time is your time and you can use it to catch up on personal emails or just take a break from work. You just may find that you are more relaxed, less hurried and more productive. Don’t be surprised if your coworkers come to you for tips on brown bagging their lunch.
There are lots of good points to brown bagging your lunch: You eat healthier, save time and money, and you’re more productive. Now you have a new task of figuring out where in your budget to allocate the money you saved.
If you are interest in learning how to save money buying your grocery items for your brown bag lunch by using grocery coupons, visit http://www.couponsforgroceriessite.com/, where you will find ideas on where to find free grocery coupons to print from home.
Article Source: Save Money Not Having Lunch with Co-Workers
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