Fab Friday Funny

Are you stressed this week?

This will make you laugh… guaranteed.

What’s your favorite item on the lists?

Real Estate Savings Strategies: Interest Rates

Meridian home $204,500 available.

Fabulous ways to save BIG $$$ on your Home Mortgage!

The number one way to save money on your home mortgage is having a good interest rate. No surprise here, but have you actually done the math?

Consider this: If you have a home with a $200,000 mortgage at 6% on a 30 year term by the time you have that loan paid off, assuming you don’t pay extra principle down, you will end up paying a total of $431,676. That is an additional $231,676 in interest. {Yikes}

Now consider this: Say you take that same $200,000 mortgage at today’s rate of 4%. You end up paying a total of $343,738. That is an additional $143,738 in interest.

So by taking advantage of today’s lower interest rates you could save yourself BIG $$$! $87,893 in this scenario.

Think of what you could do with that extra money. It will probably cost around $5,000 in closing costs to refinance, but that is still $82,893! Not bad for a couple hours of work.

Also if you are on the fence about buying a new home consider that the interest rates today are unheard of and will most likely not last long. Now may be the time to buy. It could save you some serious $$cash$$.

For more information contact:
Mark Knight
markknight@boisepremier.com
(208) 577-1487
Fabulous Idaho Real Estate

FABULESSLY FRUGAL FRIDAY: The Couponing Stigma

Growing up we lived in a tiny 3 bedroom apartment, shared by 2 parents, 5 siblings, 2 turtles, 1 bird and an occasional fish. To describe our family as poor would be an understatement, but as kids we were oblivious to our financial situation. We thought everyone wore the same pair of shoes until their feet touched the pavement, and then traded them in for a raggedy hand-me-down pair that still had a good 3 weeks left in them before the soles completely blew out. We figured all kids held yard sales to earn enough money to feast on the gourmet cuisine at McDonald’s. We didn’t realize things came in brand names and that there were places besides Pic-N-Save that sold school clothes.

Being poor never affected our happiness. We couldn’t afford gymnastic and dance classes, so we choreographed and performed our own routines to Madonna’s Material Girl for the whole neighborhood to enjoy (that is if you could afford the hefty 5 cent cover charge). We never had money for the latest toys, so we created elaborate carnivals with games, “rides” and prizes. We wrote, directed and performed our own plays and even made up our own version of Mancala using old egg cartons and rocks, all the while unaware there was a struggle to put food on the table.

I knew my mother used coupons. As I got older and the reality of our financial situation was better understood, I began to resent those coupons. As I became more aware I was a “have-not,” I hated those coupons for how I believed they classified me. Coupon use defined social class. Coupons=poor.

When my mom would send us to the store a block from our apartment with a fistful of coupons and a pocketful of change, I would do everything in my power to conceal those coupons. After I carefully arranged my purchases for the cashier, I would scan the store for anyone I knew. I would not be caught using coupons for fear those coupons would label me. I swore to never use a coupon when I grew up.

Fast forward 20 years. Happily married with two kids and a comfortable life, I never clipped a coupon. The maturity of adulthood had wiped away the coupon stigma and the potential embarrassment was the farthest thing from my mind, but my non-coupon use had become a habit. I soon realized how ridiculous that non-coupon use was.

I was paying FULL price when I didn’t have to. If a company was willing to cut me a deal on their product and I chose to instead pay full price, well that doesn’t really make me the sharpest tool in the shed. I began  implementing coupon use in my life and never looked back.

Sadly, I think many people don’t recognize how smart couponers are.  Like I naively did as a child, too many people view those who use coupons as poor or lower class and actually look down on us, as if couponing is beneath them.

I am a proud coupon user. I am not poor, but who cares if I was. I am not lower class, but who cares if I was. It doesn’t matter what our social standing is or how much money we have in our bank accounts or what drives us to coupon. It makes no difference what side of the tracks we live on or what car we drive to the grocery store. As couponers we share something regardless of our differences: common sense.

When given the choice, we choose to pay less. We choose to save money. We choose to take control of what we are spending  at the grocery store. And contrary to what I believed as a child, that certainly doesn’t mean we’re poor. It means we’re brilliant!

FABULESSLY FRUGAL FRIDAY: How to Save Money at Disneyland!

Planning a trip to the happiest place on earth but not looking to spend a fortune?  Sara over at Budget Savvy Diva worked at Disneyland for 3 years and has attended the park over 100 times. She has offered to share her money-saving tips to help you pinch pennies on your next Disney Vacation!

Deciding When To Go:

Though the price of ticket does not change, you will obviously get more out of your experience if you do not spend your entire trip in a crowded park doing nothing but waiting in lines!

The best days to go are Tuesday or Wednesday. The worst is Sunday due to the amount of annual pass-holders who live around Disneyland – Sundays even on off-season is VERY busy.

Best time of the year is Sept – Nov and Feb – May. Please note that Spring Break is SUPER BUSY.  I remember many times that both California Adventure and Disneyland being sold out during those few weeks.

Because Disneyland sits on a mere 40 acres, when it is busy you really feel it. There are some sections such as Adventureland that seem to always feel packed even on a light day. When the amount of people reach a certain level, Disneyland enforces traffic flows using guest control which means a lot more walking for you to get where you need to go.

Resort Tickets:

This is one of the more important tips to help you save money. It is much better to buy your tickets separately, outside of a package. The Disney packages do make things much more convenient, but the cost is a great deal higher.

Parking:

Carpool if you can because parking will cost you $15 per car. A money-saving trick is parking at Downtown Disney which gives you three hours for free – and moving the car and re-parking. It takes about 20 minutes to do so it might be a hassle, but it will save you $15!

Food:

Eat a large breakfast before entering the park to reduce the cost of 1 meal! Food at Disneyland is very expensive. To give you a reference, whole fruit (banana, apple or orange) is $1.79 !

Bring your own food: Disney you to bring food into the park – just nothing in glass. Try and bring at least two snacks for every person in your party. Trail mix is great to munch on. Do not bring anything that can cause havoc in your bag such as a juice box – it might become an empty juice box when you get off of space mountain
If you are in California Adventure make sure to head over to Mission Tortilla factory where you will see a cute 2 minute video on the history of the tortilla AND you receive a FREE tortilla freshly made before your eyes – each person in your family gets one. They are pretty filling and are a perfect snack.

Knowing where to eat in the park is important too.

Worst Places to Eat:

Tomorrowland Terrace
Village Haus Restaurant

Best Places to Eat:

Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port – Located in Tomorrowland.
Rancho Del Zocalo – Located near Thunder Mountain.
Dole Whips-Located next to the original Tiki Room in Adventureland.

Other Tips:

Bring your own: water bottles (you can always fill them up at the many water fountains or get free water from any service counter. Save over $2.70 every time you ask for a cup of water!),  sunscreen, digital cards or film for your camera, baby wipes & ponchos to name a few. They are all available inside for purchase but you will pay a premium. Instead, once inside the park, rent a locker for just a few bucks and place those items inside. Then when you need them they’ll be waiting for you. Another biggie is a stroller. If your child is still in a stroller, bring yours. The strollers rentals start at $10 per day.

Are you a Disneyland expert? Do you have any other great tips to share?

FABULESSLY FRUGAL FRIDAY: Making Your Own Cleaner

I originally posted this last year, but recently got into a discussion with some friends about making your own household cleaners. I was surprised at how many of my friends made their cleaners from scratch.

I know we can often find cleaners for cheap or even free, but they all contain chemicals that are so harsh! And if any of you have a sensitive-skinned child like I do, finding a gentle alternative is important.  Here are a few recipes for homemade cleaners that work like a charm. As a bonus, these cleaners are also environmentally friendly!

All-purpose Cleaner

Mix equal parts water & white vinegar in a spray bottle. Mix well.

Why This Works

The acetic acid in vinegar kills viruses, germs, bacteria and mold. It also dissolves tough mineral deposits and stains like those found in sinks, toilets and tubs. This mixture can also be used as a cleaning solution in steam cleaners for carpets.

Warnings

1. Do not use on marble
2. Test on a small area before using on finished wood surfaces or tile

Scented All-purpose Cleaner

1/4 cup of dish washing soap
1/4 cup of white vinegar
2 tsp of Borax
3 1/2 cups of hot water
Lemon or citrus essential oil (5-6 drops or more)

This can be used in every room of the house!

Homemade Spot Remover

Mix white vinegar and baking soda together to form a paste. Then, work the paste into the carpet stain with an old toothbrush, or something similar. Allow the paste to dry; then vacuum up the baking soda, and the stain should be gone.

You can also sprinkle baking soda directly on carpet, let sit for 15 minutes and vacuum up to eliminate carpet odors.

Note: Some stains may need to be treated more than once.

Warnings

1. Test on a small area before using on the entire carpet
2. As with any cleaner, you should avoid all contact with the eyes and prolonged contact with the skin

Furniture Polish Recipe

1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice

Preparation

1. Combine olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl or spray bottle.
2. Use a clean cloth to rub a small amount of the polish into your furniture.
3. Wipe dry with another cloth.

Tips and Warnings

1. Do not reuse spray bottles that have contained other chemicals
2. Shake before each use to recombine ingredients
3. Cheap olive oil works just as well as more expensive grades
4. Smaller batches can be made, if you prefer to use fresh polish each time you dust – just maintain the ratio found in the recipes

All-natural Bleach

Replace that bulky bleach jug with something better: a lemon.

To Whiten Clothes:

Add a cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle to boost the whitening action of your laundry detergent.

To Remove Stains From Clothing:

Pour lemon juice over the stain. Then, rub the area with salt; and place the garment out in the sun for several hours. Wash as usual.

To Remove Stains From Countertops and Other Hard Surfaces:

Create a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Then, apply the mixture to the stain, and allow it to sit for several hours. Wipe clean, and the stain should be gone.

Note: Some stains may require a second treatment.

To Sanitize:

Rub half of a lemon over the surface that needs to be sanitized, or apply lemon juice straight from the bottle. Then, rinse with water.

Tips and Warnings:

1. Do not clean marble surfaces with lemon. This can lead to etching.

2. Use a paste of lemon juice and baking soda to remove stains from plastic storage containers.

Thanks about.com!

And there you have a few FAB recipes for homemade cleaners. Do you have any that pack an all-natural punch?

FABULESSLY FRUGAL FRIDAY: Free Family Activities in Boise!

Karrie over at Happy Money Saver has compiled an AWESOME list of FREE things to do with your family in Boise in the month of February!

Here are just a few of the freebies. See her entire list HERE. Thanks Karrie!

Free Family Activities in Boise:

(Wednesdays)-Preschool Time at Ceramica- 11am–3pm, Ceramica, www.ceramicaboise.com, 342-3822.

(Wednesdays)-Kids Experience. Cool art and science projects for ages 6–10. 4pm, Garden City library, www.notaquietlibrary.org, 472-2944.

(Wednesdays)-Spanish Story Time- Ages 3-5, 10:30am, Library! At Collister, 562-4995.

(Thursdays)-Storytime Adventures. 12:30pm, Barnes & Noble, 375-4454.

(Fridays)-Puppet Show- Fun for all ages. 10:30am, Boise Public Library,www.boisepubliclibrary.org, 384-4200.

(First Saturday of each month)- Historic Bown House Tour. – 1–4pm, located on the campus of Riverside Elementary School, 2121 E. ParkCenter Blvd., boise.assistanceleague.org.

Feb. 10th- Pirate & Princess Ball- 5:30pm, Garden City Library, www.notaquietlibrary.org, 472-2944.

10th- Jr. Librarians- Ages 6–11, 4:15pm, Meridian Library, www.www.mld 888-4451.

11th-  Family Game Night- 6:30pm, Ada Community Library, www.adalib.org, 362-0181.

12th-Second Saturday Programs- 10am-2pm  All ages welcome!   Foothills Learning Center 3188 Sunset Peak Rd Boise, ID 83702

12th- Read to a Therapy Dog.- 1pm, Library! at Cole & Ustick, www.boisepubliclibrary.org, 570-6900.

12th- Big Read: Orienteering Adventure. Individuals or teams of all ages are invited to participate in a special Call of the Wild orienteering meet. Navigate with map and compass to find the answers to a series of questions. Bring a compass and good shoes. For more information visit ctoc-boise.blogspot.com. 10am, Boise Public Library, 384-4200

15th-Chamber Orchestra Concert. An evening of classical music that will spark your children’s interest in the arts. See ArtsWest students perform along with professional musicians. 7:30pm, Holy Trinity Church, 201 E. Carlton, Meridian, www.artswestschool.org, 938-5410

17th-Stuffed Animal Storytime and Sleepover-  After a lively Family Storytime, tuck the animals in and say goodnight. Come back the next day between 10am and 6pm to pick them up and find out what mischief they got into during the night. 6:15pm, Nampa Public Library,www.nampalibrary.org, 468-5803.

19th-Family Field Trip at World Center for Birds of Prey-  Live bird presentations at 10:45, 12:15, 1:30, and 3:15. Tour the Archives of Falconry from 11am–3pm. Family-oriented scavenger hunt and 2011 Birds of Prey Calendar. 10am–4pm,  www.peregrinefund.org, 362-3716

19th-Overstock Book Sale-  Stock up on adult and children’s books, DVDs, music CDs, and audio books. 9am–3pm, Eagle Public Library, www.eaglepubliclibrary.org, 939-6814 ext. 3

26th-Free Family Concert!-  1pm, Egyptian Theatre. www.jimgill.com For more information, call the Main Library children’s department at 384-4200.

26th– Family Art Saturday. Featuring family tours, demonstrations, and a hands-on studio project related to the exhibitions. Recommended for ages 12 and under with an adult. Noon–3pm, Boise Art Museum, www.boiseartmuseum.org, 345-8330.

26th -Kids’ Fair. Petting zoo, pony rides, magicians, stage entertainment, face painting, air jumps, carnival games, obstacle course, prizes, food, and more. 10am–6pm, Expo Idaho,www.kidsfairboise.com.

26th– Our Troops, Our Families. Idaho IceWorld Military Family Day, offering free admission and free skate use for military families with valid IDs. 1:30–4:30pm, Idaho IceWorld,www.idahoiceworld.com, 331-0044.

26th- Noisy in Boise, with Jim Gill. – 1pm, Egyptian Theater, boisepubliclibrary.org. 570-6900

Fab Frugal Friday: “Dust Collectors” {Swapping Clothes, Toys, & Goods with Friends}

We’ve had so many new readers this year,
I thought this would be a great post to share!
Originally posted October 2010.

For 1 year now, I’ve been regularly attending “Dust Collectors”.  No, it’s not a support group for women who despise dusting (although I”ll admit I do despise the tedious task of dusting!), nor is it a group of meditating people sitting and collecting dust (lame attempt at humor on that one).

What is “Dust Collectors”?

Dust Collectors is a group of friends (who bring their friends, who bring their friends), who get together about once a month and swap their stuff! (please excuse the pictures in this post, I forgot my fancy camera and resorted to using a cell phone instead!)

• Are there toys that float around your house desperate for a home (and it’s not yours!)?
• Are your childrens closets overflowing with clothes they no longer wear?
• Is there a decoration that is as cute as can be, but it just doesn’t mesh with your walls?

Enter:  Dust Collectors.

Read more

FAB FRUGAL FRIDAY: Tax Time Tips

I’ve told you before I am in no way an expert when it comes to financial matters. But I know the internet hosts a plethora of financial geniuses if you know where to look. As tax time nears, their advice could definitely come in handy.

Here are 20 of the best sites for tax tips:

1. WalletPop: WalletPop shares advice for personal finance on their blog. This tax season, they’ve covered topics like 10 Crucial Tax Tips and what to do if you can’t afford your tax bill.
2. SmartMoney: SmartMoney’s tax blog will help you take care of all your tax questions. You’ll find tips for freelancers, Swiss bank accounts, health care, and more.
3. Bargaineering: On Bargaineering, you’ll find tips for your personal finance needs, including giveaways for TurboTax. In tax advice, you’ll find information about audit red flags and figuring out your tax bracket.
4. Generation X Finance: Generation X Finance is written to help Gen X’ers stay on top of personal finance. Some of their latest tax advice includes avoiding tax audits and how you can get tax advice from the IRS.
5. About Tax Planning: William Perez writes this blog as your tax planning guide. Check out his blog to learn about claiming dependents, IRS email scams, and your filing status.
6. Taxbrain: Taxbrain features online tax tips and news. You can read the blog to find advice for online tax preparation, fast refunds, and e-filing. They might even help you find a pot of gold.
7. Tax Break: Tax Break is written by TurboTax, and works to help you get the best refund possible. They cover foolish tax write-offs, filing for an extension, and tax scams to watch out for this year.
8. Tax Resolution University: Check out the Tax Resolution University if your tax issues are a little more advanced than the Average Joe’s. This blog shares advice for tax negotiation, mediation, and frequently asked questions about tax problems.
9. Mint: Mint shares personal finance news and advice to help you know your money and your life. Some of their tax topics include tax rules for investment and tax credits you shouldn’t miss.
10. Kiplinger: Kiplinger offers trusted personal finance advice and business forecasts. Read this blog to find tax saving secrets, how to track your refund, and smart ways to use your tax refund.
11. Consumerism Commentary: Read Consumerism Commentary for the latest in personal finance advice. You’ll find out about the home buyer tax credit, creative ways to pay taxes, and how accountants can help you save money.
12. Taxgirl: Taxgirl believes that taxes are painful, so reading about them shouldn’t be. This blog offers the latest in tax news, as well as helpful hints for taking care of taxes.
13. Bucks: The New York Times Bucks Blog will help you make the most of your money. Check out the blog to organize electronic documents and find tax benefits you may not know about.
14. Don’t Mess With Taxes: Read Kay Bell’s blog to make your tax tasks less taxing. Find out why you should consider hiring a professional and the world’s strangest tax breaks.
15. About Tax Time: About Tax Time will help you maximize your tax refund. It offers advice and answers to help file your taxes, including dealing with the 1040 Form and funding a health savings account.
16. Tax Guru: Kerry Kerstetter helps just about everyone win the tax game. Read this blog for a humorous look at dealing with taxes.
17. TaxMama’s TaxQuips: TaxMama offers daily audio clips and tax wisdom. Send your questions to her and get great advice for taking care of your taxes.
18. Tax Rascal: Tax Rascal covers taxes, finances, politics, and beyond. Check out the blog to find out about business tax filing and a guide to filing late taxes.
19. Our Taxing Times: Trish McIntire discusses the tax system and tax preparation. On her blog, you can find out about amping up tax preparation.
20. Tax.com: Tax.com’s blog shares daily posts for the citizen taxpayer. Check out the blog to find IRS publications, advice, and much more.

Source: Career Overview.

FABULESSLY FRUGAL FRIDAY: 5 Simple W-2 Tax Tips

The most important tax form of the year is on the way–Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Your 2010 income tax and future social security benefits are based on it, so its accuracy is vital to your short- and long-term financial health.

Here are the top 5 W-2 related tips from the American Payroll Association to save you time, money and headaches this tax season:

1. Increase your paycheck in 2011. The average person overpays taxes by nearly $250 a month, according to the IRS. Making minor adjustments to Form W-4 can increase your paycheck. The W-4 assistant at www.nationalpayrollweek.com/W4 helps determine the withholding allowances you claim on Form W-4.

2. Don’t forfeit free money. Read the back of W-2 copies B, C, and 2 to determine if you are eligible for credits. You could be missing out on thousands of dollars in tax credits.

3. Review your W-2 carefully against your final 2010 paystub. If your W-2 seems incorrect, contact your payroll department. Important items to review:

A. Box 1 should differ from your final 2010 paystub year-to-date gross pay if you participate in a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored savings plan.

B. Box 3 total should not exceed $106,800 – the 2010 social security wage base.

C. Boxes 1, 3, and 5 should be less than your final 2010 paystub year-to-date gross pay, if you use pre-tax deductions to pay your insurance premiums or to contribute to medical or dependent care, parking, or transit flexible spending accounts.

4. Ensure your Social Security Number (SSN) matches your social security card. The name and SSN on your W-2 must match your social security card to receive your benefits. Ask the payroll department for a corrected W-2 if they do not match.

5. Make sure you get all your tax forms. You should receive a W-2 from every company that paid you in 2010 by January 31. Contact the payroll department of any company you worked for in 2010 that didn’t send you a W-2. Request a ‘reissued statement’ to replace lost W-2s. If you earned more than $600 from a single company for any freelance or contract work, you should receive Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, instead of a Form W-2.

Source: American Payroll Association

FABULESSLY FRUGAL FRIDAY: Teaching Kids About Money

I was at the store with my 6-year-old daughter last week shopping for a birthday present for my nephew. She found a $75 toy that she thought he would love (he would!) and announced our shopping trip was over. She has discovered the perfect present and was ready to head to the register. I explained to her that $75 was not what we had budgeted for.  Then the following conversation took place:

Her: Do you have enough money to buy it?
Me: Yes, we have enough money to buy it. But $75 is too much to spend on your cousin’s birthday present.
Her: If you have enough money then just buy the toy already.

Yikes. My head started spinning. Should I have been more proactive in teaching her about the importance of money? Did she, at the ripe young age of 6, already believe money grows on trees?

I hit the internet to see what Dave Ramsey, my financial hero, had to say about kids and money. And not surprisingly, he had a lot to say. What struck me was the simplicity of it. What he said in a nutshell was if we teach our children the importance of 4 major concepts, that will lay a foundation for financial success as adults. They are:

Spending
Saving
Giving
Work

Dave says, “We’re raising a whole generation with ‘sucker’ stamped on their foreheads because we’re not teaching them.”  Your job as a parent is not just to keep your child happy. You’re raising a future grown-up who needs to be able to deal with grown-up matters. If you teach little Timmy how to handle money responsibly, then grown-up Timmy will be better equipped for a richer life. Look at the statistics below:

• 19% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 declared bankruptcy in 2001. (USA Today, 2001)
• The fastest growing group of bankruptcy filers are those people who are 25 years of age or younger. (Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, 2002)
• Over 80%of undergraduates have at least one credit card and nearly 50% of college graduates carry four or more credit cards. According to the Department of Education, the average balance carried by these students is more than $3,000. (Senator Chris Dodd, CT)

These statistics show that many children aren’t being taught how to handle money. Young people are making mistakes with zeros at the end of them. These mistakes often take years to overcome. Teach your children how to handle money while they are young, and they won’t make mistakes later on in life.

There is also a great resource on Dave Ramsey’s website geared towards children. There are many games and activities focused on teaching children about money.  And while Dave does off some great products for children, the best part about that site is it’s absolutely FREE!

*Source: daveramsey.com

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