Daniel Simon

by Daniel Simon

In the previous article on home improvements, we covered determining completion needs, understanding upgrades to bring a house up to code versus “needs within needs” of upgrades, and utilizing materials purchased previously. Since I’m not an expert handyman, I chose to bring on a general contractor for the project updates for a variety of reasons that include my limited resource of time and my limited skill set. To finish out additional components, we need to discuss the human resource portion of home upgrades. Employing yourself as part of the labor source and by making the right networking connections, you may be able to further reduce your home update project costs.

Read more

by Daniel Simon

I have recently had the opportunity to pursue updating my home. What I’ve learned, and continue to learn, regardless of whether I am doing the work personally or a general contractor is involved, is that a lot of trial & error is involved. In order to update my home, I needed to achieve a balance between updating as much as possible while keeping costs as low as possible. As I am only a novice handyman, I quickly determined that the upgrades desired were beyond my skill set. Key aspects to consider were how much updating to do, and what level of quality would be achievable given my lean budget. Establishing a strategy for upgrades and doing some of the work yourself can help build savings into your home renovations plan.

Read more

by Daniel Simon

Once again, I had to make that all-important annual decision to keep my computer network free of viruses. My network security subscription was about to expire. As much as I am not a fan of spending the money on IT security, it is a necessary preventative measure. Between viruses, spyware, and hackers, your computer system is vulnerable and can be infiltrated in as much time as it takes for your operating system to load – maybe less. Computer network security programs can run from inexpensive to expensive, based on quality and options. In reviewing your options, be sure to exhaust avenues of finding your security product at the best price.

Read more

by Daniel Simon

I am two short months and decent-sized payments away from paying off my electronics-based credit card bill. For the last three years, I have put some things on it that were necessary (laptop & desktop), arguably necessary (GPS), and arguably unnecessary (flat-screen television). All of the items were purchased at times that offered great discounts, as well as great financing terms – same as cash for a long period of time. Over the course of time and bill cycles, I have received several statements that inadvertently added interest. Be aware of the pitfalls of repayment terms for same as cash offers.

Read more

by Daniel S.

Throughout the course of these articles, we have discussed ways to save money – pointing our efforts in a direction of how to squeak out the most savings from any situation or purchase. In my practices, I try to balance three key elements: cost, quality, and service. Generally, when living on a budget, the most important element is cost. Getting the most product or service at minimal cost is a constant goal. Sometimes, however, the decision needs to take more into account from the other elements. Recently, I was reminded of this point when embarking on a purchasing journey of my own. Sometimes the quality of the product or service becomes your best value point over cost.

Read more

With companies competing for the consumer dollar, we have many opportunities to get the best value for our money. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of looking in the right place for those opportunities. If you work for a larger organization, it is possible for you to be eligible for discounts on personal items. Retail organizations often partner with large corporations to provide special offers or additional discounts to corporate employees. Make sure to review and compare corporate discount offers to any independent retail sale before making your purchase.

Read more

Cell phones – most of us have them, and sometimes wonder why. But in the end, we would be hard-pressed in this day & age of immediate response times, to live without them. They take a good chunk of dimes & quarters out of our monthly budget to keep the convenience handy. Remember when you just used your phone as a phone?! In addition to actually using it as a phone, we get charged for data plans in order to keep up with the times – apps, pictures, & texts. Sometimes you look at the bill and wonder why you are paying so much, but then – just then! – you get that text or email you’ve been waiting for with a picture of your best friend trying to win a hula-hoop contest at a birthday party. Yikes. So, we continue to keep up our phone service, promising to compare & contrast cell phone companies when our current contract is up. Below are two tips to trim your cell phone costs.

Read more

We’ve spent a lot of time in these blog articles addressing the umbrella theme of saving money – a lot of time. Whether it is how to save money outright, or how to actually begin the process of having a savings beyond next week’s laundry money. We discuss tips & tricks that can be applied, as well as the landmines that may prove to be challenging to your objectives & will to save. But what happens if there isn’t a sale? What happens if there isn’t a coupon? And the final garage sale stop of the day didn’t result in a treasured find? How do we refine or restructure our thinking towards making the best purchase for our money? Some characteristics for purchasing products in the business world can very easily be applied to your personal buying habits to help you save money.

Read more

Tuesday, for those of you who may not be paying attention or haven’t set an Outlook reminder, is Valentine’s Day. For some, it’s a gift-giving occasion. For others, it’s a dinner out. For those who are in a long-term relationship, it may even be a challenge to come up with an original gift. To paraphrase Don Cheadle’s character in the movie Ocean’s 13, you never run the same gag twice. One of those “challenges” may be heading out to dinner with your significant other. Your budget can survive Valentine’s Day dinner if by considering some a variety of options.

Read more

It’s coming! Valentine’s Day is only a few days away. Have you decided what you may be getting for your significant other yet? Don’t worry if you haven’t – you’re not alone. Valentine’s Day can sneak up on you when you least expect it – and when you can least afford it.The Holiday bills, if you are lucky, have just been mailed, leaving the money jar empty. However, unless you have an agreement in place with your mate regarding not spending money or a spending limit, someone might be disappointed with the outcome. Valentine’s Day gifts can be budgeted with some careful planning.

Read more