Web Wealth: Money minders
What are you doing that's wasting or losing money? The answer is different for everyone, but there are habits and routines that sap all our wallets. These sites could start your self-assessment.
What are you doing that's wasting or losing money? The answer is different for everyone, but there are habits and routines that sap all our wallets. These sites could start your self-assessment.
Bad routines. Writer Laura Rowley on Yahoo's finance site explains some daily routines that can cost you dearly. Among the no-nos she points out: You shouldn't automatically toss out what looks like junk mail from your own credit card company. That "junk" could easily be a notice of important - and potentially expensive - changes to your account. Other problem habits she mentions include failing to keep track of your spending - and failing to exercise. "Exercise can improve your performance at work," studies note.
Hold the coffee. The Web site called Mr. Cheap Stuff names "21 ways to stop wasting money." Topping the list is "takeout coffee." It's a tough habit to break, but a $2 coffee every working day costs more than $500 a year. Bottled water? Forget about it. Buying your music online for 99 cents a song, instead of purchasing whole CDs, is another way to save. The list is tough on florists, phone companies, and gambling.
Cutting cords. Some advisers say it's a waste to have a wired phone line, but the suggestion here is to cut the cable TV cord. This testimonial posted at Kiplinger.com says considering elimination of the monthly cable bill could lead to a reassessment of other recurring expenses - or even in keeping the cable but taking bundled telephone service for a discount. The point is to think creatively, and even to listen to pitches you might otherwise ignore.
Go ahead, waste. A link from the page noted above leads to this Kiplinger list of "20 ways to waste your money." The tongue-in-cheek advice looks at some more of the expensive habits that people have these days. "Dine out frequently," the article says. "Buy brand-name instead of generic." "Buy things you don't use." "Ignore your local dollar store." You get the idea.