Tinker Buck the Norm - Financial Empowerment

Spring Break on the Cheap

2013-03-20T05:00:00Z

March is one of my favorite months of the year: warmer weather, St. Patrick’s Day, and March Madness. I love all of it. The one thing I do miss is spring break. Spring break was the best. You get an entire week off and with no responsibilities! It’s amazing.

When I was in college, I took a spring break trip a couple of times. I went to the typical spring break destinations if I had to do over again, I would’ve been a little smarter about how much money I spent on the trip. A typical spring break would cost over $1,000! Looking back, that’s crazy to me, considering I was a broke college student!

Anyway, I recently started thinking about where I would go now for spring break (if I still had one), and I came up with an alternative idea that is still fun and doesn’t cost a ton of cash.

I love being outside, especially when the weather is nice. Who doesn’t, right? Why not visit a local state park and go camping for a few days? The cost to camp at a state park is cheap, and all you need are some friends, basic camping equipment, and food. Go hiking, fishing, and cook out! It’s a fun way to get away and not have to break the bank to do it.

Do you have any ideas for inexpensive spring break trips? Let us know in the comments.

Saving for the Future

2013-02-22T12:00:00Z

I realize retirement is probably the last thing on your mind at this point in your life, right? Well, it shouldn’t be! I know retirement seems like a long way off, but the earlier you start saving, the better off you will be when that time comes. There are many different paths you can take when it comes to planning for retirement. Here are a couple of options:

1) 401K – A retirement plan usually available through your employer. You can contribute a percentage of your paycheck to this retirement account every pay period. That way you never see the money, so you don’t miss it! And some employers will even match what you contribute, up to a certain percentage. You can’t beat that!

2) IRA – An account that you can open with almost any financial institution to start saving for retirement. There are two different kinds of IRAs: Roth and Traditional. They are very different from one another so, if you choose to go this route, make sure you do your research so you know which is option is best for you.

I highly recommend you look into retirement planning as soon as possible. I started contributing to my 401K this year and I couldn’t feel better about it. Now, I have the peace of mind knowing that I’m already saving money for my retirement. It gives me a feeling of security about my future.

Have you taken the steps to begin saving for retirement?

Downsizing vs Supersizing

2013-01-31T12:00:00Z

Every time I turn around, it seems a different company is trying to get me to upgrade to something a little better. “For $25 more a month you can upgrade to the premium package” or “For an additional fee you can have unlimited text messaging!” We live in a society where more is better. But, all these upgrades can end up costing you in the end. A cable bill that was $40 is now $65 a month. A cell phone bill that started out $60 a month is now $100!

If you are the type of person who falls into these traps, a little can add up to be a lot very quickly. Think about the purchase you make before you make it. How many of those 300 channels do you actually watch? I haven’t had cable in four years. Do it miss it? Sure. But, the money I save every month has been well worth it. The same goes for my cell phone. I go with one of the less expensive plans and keep a close eye on the minutes I use and the texts I send. Is it a little bit of a hassle? Sure. But, I’m saving a decent amount of money every month that I can use towards other things, like saving for my next vacation.

Cutting corners each month on little things instead of just giving your money away can add up to be quite a bit. I encourage you to cut corners where you can for one month. See how much you can save just by cutting back a bit here and there on everyday purchases.

Free as a Bird

2013-01-17T12:00:00Z

I know sometimes people feel guilty about spending money on themselves. You shouldn’t completely rule out doing anything fun just because you don’t want to spend money. There are plenty of fun things to do around Oklahoma that are cheap or even free. Free is a word that I like to hear. Here are a number of different things you can do.

1) Downtown OKC

Bricktown has come a long way in the past ten years. They have parks and little shops to visit. It is also nice to walk along the canal.

2) State Parks

Oklahoma has a ton of State Parks. If nature is your thing, you can hike, have a picnic, or watch for wildlife. It might be a little chilly this time of year, so take a jacket

3) Festivals

There is always some type of festival going on somewhere near the city. Whether it be a craft festival or food festival, there is something for everyone.

4) Museums

There are many museums that have free admission. They are nice to visit on rainy or very cold days to stay out of the weather. A few museums with free admission are the Gene Autry Museum, Red River Museum, Plains Indians Museum, and the Red Earth Museum.

Those are just a few ideas of fun free things to do around Oklahoma. TravelOK.com has lots of ideas on places to go and things to do. I get on their website and look for cheap things to do on the weekends.

Do you have fun, cheap ideas that you would like to share?

Promises to Keep

2013-01-07T06:00:00Z

I’m going to drop that last 10 pounds. I will get up when the alarm goes off. I won’t let the dishes pile up in the sink. Do any of these sound familiar? This time of year, we all like to try to make those pesky New Year’s resolutions. A year is a long time to keep a promise to ourselves, is it not? This year, I have a new idea…let’s make quarterly resolutions. Challenge yourself. Set four goals that you want to do to improve your life and strive for one of those goals every three months. When you think about it, that’s not really a long time!

Then comes the decision. What do I want to do? Well for starters, I am going to spend the first part of my year cleaning out the old and bringing in the new. For me, that means knocking out the holiday debt I built up on my credit card and building my accounts for a more stable financial ground in the year to come.

For the second quarter, spring is coming up. So, I plan to do some serious spring cleaning. Give the home a good cleaning and keeping up with the everyday chores. That’s not so bad. I can manage that.

Then comes summer; well, better make this one easy! I’m not home that often in the summer. I think I’ll work on my self. Now, I’m not necessarily talking about appearance. It’s already summer; too late for that! I want to work on my attitude and life in general.

Now it’s fall, already in for the last quarter. Now, let’s not do what I did last year and run up those credit cards at Christmas. I’ll save as much as possible to avoid that holiday debt that I always seem to fall into every year.

Well, 2012 was a great year, and I have really enjoyed writing for you. Good luck with those resolutions.

Plan Ahead

2012-12-24T06:00:00Z

It’s extremely easy to rack up credit card debt around the holidays. There are gifts to buy, outfits for holiday parties, and let’s not forget all of the food. Even though we can get caught up in the moment, it is important to not overspend.

Here are some ways you can avoid having post holiday debt:

1. Stick to your original budget and plan. This will help keep you on track and help to monitor your spending.

2. Leave the credit cards at home. I know that is a reason people give all the time, but there are valid points as to why you shouldn’t. Typically when using a credit card you are not as cost conscious as you are when spending cash or using your debit card. Credit cards can lead to quickly going over budget if you are not careful.

3. Withdraw cash or use your debit card to make purchases. If you withdraw cash you can divvy up the money into separate envelopes for each person or event on your holiday list. Once you have spent your limit, you are done, and you can easily make sure you are still in budget.

What are some ways or things you have tried to prevent post holiday debt?

Going Holiday Shopping? Don't Forget Your Smartphone

2012-12-12T06:00:00Z

I’ll admit it, I am addicted to my smartphone, and would be utterly lost without it. Heck, I would never wake up, know what the temperature outside was, or be able to check and see if my Klout score rose in the last 24 hours.

That’s why this holiday season I am relying heavily on my Smartphone to be my personal shopping buddy. The following are some great apps to help you compare prices and find the best deals while you are out and about:

RedLaser: This app gives you the ability to either scan the barcode of an item you want to purchase, or manually type it in. The app then gives you the best prices available online and in nearby stores, with the option to buy it now from the online store or get directions to the closest location.

Slice: This app will sync with your Gmail or Yahoo account and keeps track of your online shipping. If a price drop has occurred form a store, the app will alert you.

Google Shopper: Consumers can snap a picture or say the name of an item and the app will find the product online or in a store nearest you. The app also integrates Google Maps and can give store locations and information to consumers.

Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper: Although this app charges a $5 one-year access fee, consumers receive ratings, reviews, and buying advice. This is great for the shoppers that like to find out what other users have said about a product.

Are there any other apps that you plan to use this holiday season?

Making A List and Checking It Twice

2012-11-30T06:00:00Z

I’m known for making lists and checking them twice. That’s why this year I have become even more organized in my holiday gift giving plan so that I don’t break the bank.

These are some things I try to remember when holiday shopping:

1. Make a detailed list of everyone you will be giving a gift to. Don’t forget to account for any holiday parties where you might be doing a gift exchange.

2. Set a limit for what you want to spend in total, and then set limits to spend per person.

3. Do some research about the gifts you want to purchase. Some retailers have online or in store sales that could help you save some pretty pennies. Also, don’t forget that if you do online shop, you might need to factor in shipping costs.

4. While shopping, stick to your list to avoid the temptation of buying impulse items that could send you over budget.

5. Remember to not splurge on yourself when you are out shopping. “One for you, two for me” should not be your mantra this time of year.

Lastly, remember that you don’t have to spend a fortune on gifts. Well thought out items can trump expensiveness. The old saying still rings true, “It’s the thought that counts.”

From Many to Few

2012-11-28T06:00:00Z

Have you ever noticed how easy it can be to let certain things get out of hand? Take the show Hoarders, for example. The people on this show just didn’t wake-up one day with all this stuff. Over time, they continued to hoard things until they were neck deep in newspapers, bicycles, and cats. The same thing can happen with debt.

How many zero percent credit card offers do you get in the mail each month? When you buy something at some stores, do they offer to save you “x” amount for signing up for their in-store credit card? All these offers seem great on the surface, right?

So, you ended up saying yes to some of the offers. Before you know it, the 12 months is up on the 0% interest rate from the credit card offer you got in the mail, and you’ve maxed out the credit card you got from your favorite clothing store. Now, the interest rates have sky rocketed to an insane amount. All of the sudden, you’re neck deep in debt, paying high interest rates, and struggling to make minimum payments.

A possible solution would be to consolidate the two balances. Combine the two credit cards into one loan, close the cards, and make only one payment. The interest rates are typically lower with consolidation loans compared to most credit cards, which could save you a lot of money over time.

Let us know about ways you’ve consolidated debt in your life.

Gift Ideas on a Budget

2012-11-24T12:00:00Z

Like most young adults, I am on a tight budget. Being on such a short financial leash, the gifts I would like to give my family and friends are not always the things I can afford.

So this year, I am getting creative with my holiday gift giving. The first place I look for gifts are the Groupon and Living Social deals. I check their daily emails to see if any items would pertain to the people on my list. If you didn’t know already, these sites have great deals on items up to 80% off their original price.

Another place for gift ideas is Pinterest. I know not everyone has a crafty side, but that’s not all this site is good for. Scrolling through pictures in the feed you can often get an idea or jumping off point on gifts to buy or make.

Finally, you can also consider re-gifting. I know that once it was considered taboo, but it is perfectly acceptable as long as the item is unopened/unused and you are not giving the gift to the person who gave it to you.

It’s important to keep in mind that it’s not just about the monetary value of an item. Are there other ways you find gifts while on a budget?

How to Save with Your Cell Phone

2012-11-15T06:00:00Z

I have had a smart phone for quite sometime, but I recently switched to the iPhone. This has given me a clean slate to start using my phone to organize my life. One of my favorite things to do is save money. Of course, since I’m paying for my phone, I’m going to use it to help me do just that.

Here are a few apps I’ve found that help me save some cash on a weekly basis:

Decide.com

This app shows pricing trends for certain products and whether it is wiser to buy now or wait for the coming price drop.

Coupon Sherpa

Gone are the days of cutting coupons out of the Sunday paper. Simply use Coupon Sherpa to bring up the most up to date coupons on various products and use right at the register via your phone.

Key Ring

I recently rid my key ring of various “loyalty cards” for places I don’t frequent often. I was trying to simplify, and found the Key Ring app that enables you to either take a picture of your loyalty card or enter the ID # that will help you save at particular stores.

There are roughly a few hundred apps that can help you save money. Obviously, it’s important to find those that work best for you and use them to their fullest potential.

What apps have you found that help you save money?

Traveling Without an Empty Pocketbook

2012-10-25T05:00:00Z

I absolutely love to travel. Every year I plan at least one trip outside the United States. People always ask me how I can afford to take these trips without going broke. I have been to Paris, London, South Korea, and Puerto Rico, all in the last five years. Obviously, all these trips required airfare, hotel and spending money. So, how did I plan all these trips on a budget? Let me clue you in on some money-saving tips that you can use to plan your next vacation.

Planning: I’m a big planner. If I know there is somewhere I want to go, I start planning the trip at least eight months in advance. Why? The earlier you plan, the cheaper the flights and more discounts you can get.

Booking: Booking a trip on a travel website can save you a ton of money. I looked into booking a trip to Italy through a travel agent, and it was going to cost me around $4,000. I booked it myself and ended up spending half that amount. That includes airfare, hotels and all the tours I plan on taking. That’s a HUGE difference!

Vacationing: You don’t have to spend a ton of money while actually on vacation. If you limit what you spend on souvenirs, that can save a lot of money. Are you really going to do anything with that giant sea shell you bought on your vacation to the beach? I always buy magnets from wherever I go. They’re cheap and a cool reminder of my trip every time I go to the fridge.

Just be smart about the choices you make. You can definitely enjoy yourself without being broke when you get back.

Ways to Save Money this Christmas

2012-10-19T10:00:00Z

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means one thing – Christmas shopping. If you’re like me, you try to start as early as possible to avoid crowds and the stress of last minute shopping. According to this years National Retail Federation Holiday Survey, the average American will spend approximately $750.00 on Christmas this year. This includes gifts, decorations, cards, etc. This is one time I would like to be below average. I have compiled a list of a few things you can do this holiday season to save a few bucks.

1) Social Media: A lot of retail stores offer coupons through Facebook and Twitter. So, before you head out to shop, check these sites to see if they have any available.

2) Discount sites: Sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial offer goods and services at a discounted rate. Sometime items are discounted up to 80%!

3) Know the Competition: Compare prices before you go. Some stores even do price matching.

4) Avoid shipping fees: If you order online, look to see if shipping to the nearest store is an option. That way you can pick it up there and not have to pay the fee.

5) Set a budget: Set a goal amount you want to spend on each person and stick to it. You can even put the cash in envelopes with the person’s name on it so you won’t be tempted to overspend with a credit/debit card.

So, there you have it. A few sure fire ways to save this Christmas. Do you have any money saving tips for the holidays? Comment and let us know!

Halloween Done Cheap

2012-10-11T10:00:00Z

Halloween is right around the corner, and even though I’m an adult, I still like to get dressed up for Halloween. The problem is I’m not the type of person who likes to spend a ton of money on a costume I’ll probably only wearing once.

The other problem is that I’m not very creative when it comes to thinking up ideas for a costume. To illustrate my point, I’ve been a zombie for the last three Halloweens in a row. I participated in a Halloween work function where they gave us the zombie costume, a pretty sweet one I might add, and I threw that bad boy on with a little bit of scary make up. Boom. So, here are three quick, easy, and cheap costume ideas that you can use this Halloween.

1. Ghost

We’ve all seen this costume, right? Find an old sheet, cut a couple of eye holes in it, and you’re done! It takes about five minutes to finish and you’re super scary, all for the cost, of an old sheet. Now, you just need to work on perfecting your “BOOOOO!!!”

2. Secret Service Agent

Do you own a dark suit? Do you own a pair of dark sunglasses? Then you have yourself everything you need to be a secret service agent. If you want to go really nuts, splurge and buy a fake police badge and an earpiece.

3. Nerd

This is probably my favorite idea because I like to believe there is a little nerd inside all of us. I know I’ve got several articles of clothing in my closet I could use to put together a costume that could make me look super nerdy. Throw on some dark-rimmed glasses and a pocket protector and you’re good to go.

These costume ideas might not win you first prize at a costume contest but, they’ll save you from having to spend a lot of cash this Halloween on a costume. Do you have any inexpensive Halloween costume ideas you’re planning on doing or using? Let us know in the comments below.

Change of Season

2012-09-26T10:00:00Z

Fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves are changing, the air is getting cooler, and football season is in full swing. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy some activities with family and friends that are easy on the wallet.

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is go to a local pumpkin patch, find the perfect pumpkin, and have a pumpkin-carving party. The only real cost is buying the pumpkin, which is usually less than $10, and you can make an entire evening out of it with family and friends. Ah, memories!

As I mentioned before, football is finally here. Whether you’re a college or pro football fan, have a watch party at home. Have friends each bring something for the party. Everyone will have a great time, and no one will have to break the bank.

You could always get of out town for a scenic drive and admire the leaves changing or find a local farm that offers hayrides. This time of year has so many opportunities for money-saving activities. Plus, you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.

What are your big plans for the fall season?