2014-03-09 | Lee Harvard

13 Things You Can Do To Help Yourself Fall Asleep

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13 Things You Can Do To Help Yourself Fall Asleep</div>
 
 
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If you are having trouble falling asleep at night, it is could be due to lifestyle habits interfering with your sleep patterns. Here are 13 suggestions that you can easily put into practice. Once you find what works for you, you won’t have to take sleep aids or see a sleep specialist.</div>
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1. Always go to bed and wake up at the same time 
 
Everybody knows about jet lag. Traveling across time zones upsets your body clock and sleep patterns get skewed. But when you go to bed at irregular hours and sleep late, you are also upsetting your sleep-wake cycle, albeit to a much lesser extent. Make sure you go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. Avoid oversleeping when tired or because of a late night. 
 
2. Time to get a new mattress 
 
Most people never bother to change their mattresses very often. The result is that physical discomfort negatively impacts your sleep. Did you know that the average life expectancy for a mattress is only eight years? Choosing a new mattress can be tricky, as its comfort is very hard to judge in the shop. Ideally, one should lie on a new mattress for at least 10 minutes to get a true feeling for how it feels. 
 
3. Build in winding down time 
 
Getting ready for bed means making sure there is a gradual transition from daytime frenetic activity to restful repose. Taking a warm bath helps you to relax. Some people do stretching. Switch off all electronic devices and turn down the lighting. Make reading a regular habit so that the body learns that sleep time is approaching. Some people like to use an audio podcast with music as this will not disturb their partners or other family members. 
 
4. Ban electronics from the bedroom 
 
If you use any electronic devices in the bedroom, you are asking for trouble. The blue light from screens tends to trick your brain into thinking that it is daylight again and this light tends to block the supply of melatonin, which induces sleep. The other problem is that once your brain starts to suffer from an information overload, it is going to go into overdrive. Some people insist on checking emails on their mobile devices while they lie in bed. A Nytol survey showed that 50% of Brits were addicted to checking their social media accounts and emails in bed. 
 
5. Take some magnesium 
 
Most people with sleep disturbances are suffering from a magnesium deficiency and they are not even aware of it! Typical symptoms are cold hands and feet, and excruciating leg cramps in the early morning. Magnesium is one of the essential minerals that help the Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) receptors function. These block the glutamate and norepinephrine receptors which stimulate the brain so GABA may help the brain shut down. The recommended dose is between 400 and 500 milligrams (mg) before bed. 
 
6. Mental activities will help 
 
When you cannot get to sleep, your mind may wander to thoughts of your insomnia, the causes and consequences, and how tired you will be in the morning. Start thinking about things which have absolutely nothing to do with your insomnia. Some of the following may work for you: 
 
Do simple math, like counting backwards from 100. 
Try going through the alphabet, thinking of a person’s name for each of the letters. 
Visualize yourself in a beautiful, calm setting and picture yourself as you drift off. 
 
7. Cut out stimulants before bed. 
 
Most people have problems because of tea and coffee intake before bedtime. Alcohol can help you to get to sleep initially but you will be restless for the second half of the night. British researchers in one study published in the Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research journal, found that alcohol upsets the thalamus area of the brain, which leads to disturbed sleep patterns. Cut out caffeine and alcohol well before evening to help yourself fall asleep faster. 
 
8. Drink these before going to bed 
 
One ideal nightcap is warm, skimmed milk because it has calcium and tryptophan, which can be converted into serotonin which helps you to feel drowsy. Another option is cocoa or hot chocolate, which help to produce phenethylamine. That can put you in a good mood. But chocolate has caffeine in it and some people find that it keeps them awake, so try what suits you best.  Instant malt drinks can also help, although they tend to be high in fat. 
 
9. Get enough daylight 
 
Strange as it seems, you need to get enough daylight. One hour (or even 30 minutes) of natural sunlight will keep your wake-sleep cycle perfectly tuned. This really helps and it is just as important as turning down the lights an hour before bedtime. 
 
10. Relax 
 
One of the reasons you cannot get off to sleep is that fact you are too tense. This may be due to overwork, stress, or simply tensing up because you cannot sleep. Try relaxing every muscle group in your body. Start from the head and work down. As you do this, you will be astonished at how tense you were! 
 
11. Exercise is great but.. 
 
Doing sports or any physical activity is great because it will make you tired. It will also get the endorphins going, which will put you in a good mood. It usually takes about four months for results to start kicking in.  The only thing you have to remember is that you cannot exercise too late in the evening, as it can to have the opposite effect of overstimulating you. 
 
12. Sex is good 
 
Laura Berman, the director of the Berman Center for Women’s Sexual Health, says that people are getting less sleep and not having enough sex. Sex helps you sleep, as it releases oxytocin and endorphins. It also causes other hormonal changes which aid restful and deep sleep. 
 
13. Make a list 
 
Lots of people go to bed and already start worrying about the next day. They have a ton of things to do and they start fretting about everything, which leads to restlessness and poor sleep. A great idea is to make a list of all the things you need to take care of the next day before you go to bed. Writing them down gives you a sense of control and will help you to relax. 
 
Now that you know where the problems lie, why not bookmark this page and start your plan of action. Sweet dreams! 
 
 
Author: Robert Locke

13 Things You Can Do To Help Yourself Fall Asleep

13 Things You Can Do To Help Yourself Fall Asleep If you are having trouble falling asleep at night, it is could be due to lifes...

10 Ways To Greatly Improve Your Attitude

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10 Ways To Greatly Improve Your Attitude</div>
 
Our attitude plays a big part in our everyday lives and can affect how our life may turn out in the future. If you decide to live with a negative attitude, always expecting the worst and never enjoying what you already have in your life, you’ll find that your inner choices will reflect on the outside. However, if you have a good attitude, you’ll be the kind of person who works hard, is a believer in the fact that life is for living, and you will live the kind of life many would aspire to. 
 
Attitude comes down to choice, you can choose whether to have a good or a bad attitude and whether external things can affect it or not. With this in mind I’ve come up with a few ways to help improve your attitude when you are struggling to turn a bad day into a good one. 
 
1. Take action and then let it go. 
 
If you have something you need to get done, and you’ve been putting it off because the result could go either way, the best thing for you to do to improve your attitude is to take the appropriate action required and then let it go. Holding on, worrying and wasting precious time fretting will only put a downer on your attitude. If you remember that life is for living, and what will be will be, then you can’t go far wrong. Worrying is a complete waste of your time—if it’s going to happen, it will happen anyway, whether you worry about it or not! 
 
2. Spend time with those who share your positive attitude. 
 
This is a must if you want to improve your attitude. The people you surround yourself with most of the time will reflect upon you and how you live your life. So always make sure that these people share your positive vibe, and lift you rather than bring you down. We are, after all, only human, so there will be times when we get a bit down on our luck, which makes it even more important to have good, positive people on hand to encourage, support and inspire us. 
 
3. Remember to forgive easily the limitations of others. 
 
So often we get disappointed by other people’s actions or non-action. Instead of getting angry or retaliating, the best way to improve the situation and to improve your attitude is to forgive. Most people don’t understand why they do the things they do or say the things they say. It is through your forgiveness (which is not about letting them off the hook, but rather letting yourself off the hook) that you will improve your attitude. Holding on to grudges will only cause you more harm than good because most people don’t realize how their limitations affect others anyway! 
 
4. Always act with a purpose. 
 
When you take action, always take steps to act with a purpose, so that your actions are in line with your values and who you are. Many people walk through life blindly, with no real reason for what they do and why they do it. Instead, live with a sense of purpose, so that you go through life knowing the effect you have on those around you and why you do the things you do. For an example, Walt Disney’s main purpose was to “make people happy,” so next time you act, think of your purpose and improve your attitude whilst doing so! 
 
5. Always say, “Please,” and, “Thank you.” 
 
Being polite when given help or asking for it isn’t a hard thing to do, yet so often we forget these simple words, especially with those closest to us. If you want to improve your attitude use, “Please,” and, “Thank you,” every single time you are given the opportunity. Why? Because what you give out you get back, so when you are nice to someone who is helping you out or when you need some assistance, you’ll find that you’ll get more than you bargained for—in a good way, of course! 
 
6. Don’t compare yourself to others. 
 
If you want to improve your attitude to life and to those around you, quit comparing yourself to others. It’s human to compare our lives with others, but when we do it too often we can drag ourselves down and start to think that life isn’t going the way it’s supposed to go. When we compare, we think someone else’s life looks better than ours. It’s important to remember that we are observing the external view, and things may look different behind closed doors. So spare yourself the worry and stop comparing, only focus on your own life and attitude to it and you’ll be much happier in the process. 
 
7. Expect the best out of every situation instead of the worst. 
 
How many times do you focus on the bad stuff that might happen in your life, rather than the good? Do you hear yourself saying things like, “Oh, I knew that would happen,” or, “I really hope this doesn’t cost too much,” and, “I don’t want to be late”? 
 
When life is hectic and you feel that you don’t have time to do what you want because of what other people want from you, it’s no wonder you can get so down and disgruntled about life. We tend to focus on what could go wrong in our lives rather than focusing on what could go right. In some respects we like to have a moan, and it seems complaining has become such second nature to us that we don’t even realize we are doing it. 
 
So how about trying something different? Try not to complain for seven days and instead replace any negative thoughts with a positive one. Expect the very best out of every situation and see the improvement in your attitude, you won’t be disappointed! 
 
8. Wake up early every day. 
 
I am a real advocate of early rising. For me it brings me closer to the feeling of starting afresh, just in case yesterday didn’t go quite as planned. I usually get up at around 4 a.m., although that kind of time is pretty extreme to most people. However, when you plan to wake up early and intend to make each day a good one, you’ll find your attitude will change. It’s like you are taking the day by the horns and making sure you get every last bit out of it and on your own terms. You’ll feel in control of your life rather than just going through life in a blur. 
 
Just try it, even if you only get up 20 minutes earlier than normal. 
 
9. Live in the present moment. 
 
As you read this you will probably have 101 things on your mind. Errands to run, things you should be doing and things that have happened that are worrying you. All too often we spend our days lost in thoughts about the past or the future and never really living in this very moment. When we live like this, we are never really comfortable with ourselves because our inner peace is constantly at odds, which affects our mood and our attitude. 
 
Instead of rushing about, try to spend time watching your thoughts and becoming more mindful of what you are saying to yourself. If you are worrying about something, you are not in the present moment because you are thinking about something that could happen in the future. Anxiety, stress and worry are all signs you are not living in the now. When you have too much of this going on it can lead to health issues later on in life. To improve your attitude, learn how to take a break, to sit and be quiet even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day. Your body and mind will thank you for it, and so will your friends! 
 
10. Be grateful for everything you have. 
 
This always seems to come up whenever I write because gratefulness is one of the most powerful attitudes to have in life. If you want a better life, give thanks for all that you have each and every day. When you rise early, practice grace before you do anything. This kind of practice will set your day off nicely, your attitude will improve and you’ll find you will receive more things to be grateful about! 
 
So how’s your attitude today, does it need a little fine tuning? 
 
Author: Paula Lawes

10 Ways To Greatly Improve Your Attitude

10 Ways To Greatly Improve Your Attitude Our attitude plays a big part in our everyday lives and can affect how our life may turn o...

Improve Life Quality Now by Enjoying Your Sundays

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Improve Life Quality Now by Enjoying Your Sundays</div>
 
 
 
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Try a quick exercise. Look over your past week and see how much of your time was spent on work. Work also includes house chores, grocery shopping, errands, and minding the children. If work represents one of six slices of a pie chart, how big is that slice? Quite big, I bet.

We work hard so we can afford holidays or a move to a bigger home and improve life quality. Don’t wait for a holiday or a new home to bring balance to your life. Reserve Sundays for doing meaningful things you don’t get to do on weekdays and improve life quality now.</blockquote>
 
1. Slow Down 
 
Turn off the alarm. If your internal clock wakes you up at the usual hour, use the time for deep breathing exercises or read inspiring quotes and experience positive emotions.  If you wake up late, that’s great! You’ve begun to enjoy your Sunday. 
 
The point here is to not have a schedule. Letting the day flow will allow more leisure time for recreational activities and for doing them at a leisurely pace. 
 
2. Disconnect Electronically 
 
Is this hard for you to do? Look back to an instance when you felt toxic and were ready to toss your phone out the window to get 15 minutes of uninterrupted time. This will make it easier to put your phone on silent and out of sight. Now is the time to give your laptop and other devices a rest too.  You may be surprised to discover engaging things to do minus your devices. 
 
3. Notice and Appreciate Things 
 
No strict schedules and no electronic devices equals a space of silence and freedom to just BE. Heighten your senses and attention to find joy in the simplest things—homey kitchen smells, new grass, children’s laughter, a leisurely shower, or your relaxed breathing. To measurably improve life quality, be aware of and appreciate the things that bring quality to your life. 
 
4. Enhance Your Home 
 
The spaces you move around in affect your well being. Home is where you wake up every morning. Enjoy Sunday by engaging in a hobby—art, crafts, carpentry, gardening—and decorate your home in the process.  No such hobbies? Try rearranging the furniture, adding a couple of throw pillows, and organizing your book shelf, kitchen cabinet, or wardrobe closet.  Your enhanced living space would then be a pleasant place to come home to. 
 
5. Sit Down for a Meal 
 
Is your weekday breakfast an on-the-go affair where you munch on a sandwich as you hurry to the subway station?  How often do you get to have dinner with your family or partner?  Sunday is when family and friends can sit down, share a meal, and chat in a relaxed atmosphere.  Have fun preparing the meal together at home or make it a restaurant treat. 
 
Ask light questions to get conversation going.  Be positive, listen fully, and appreciate these wonderful people you share your life with. 
 
6. Help Someone Out 
 
It could be your child asking for your opinion on a school project, an elderly neighbor needing some company, or a request for volunteers to pack relief goods for disaster victims.  Helping others moves focus away from yourself and brings meaning to life beyond mere accomplishment. 
 
7. Do Something Just for You 
 
Make Sunday a day to reward yourself.  Get a haircut, buy that nice shirt you’ve been saving for, have a massage, watch a matinee or a sporting event, or stay home to read, play video games, or nap.  The only rule: it makes you happy and is good for your health. 
 
8. Attend to a Spiritual Practice 
 
A spiritual practice is an activity that reminds you of your connection to the divine source. It could be a full-day facilitated retreat, a Sunday service, a quiet jog in nature, a gratitude journal, insightful books, or inspiring music. Keeping a meaningful connection to the divine lightens your perspective in life. 
 
Sunday is a day to forget work and to rediscover other areas of your life. A consciously-spent Sunday helps you appreciate work and allows you to handle the week’s stress. You gain work-life balance that will improve life quality starting right now. 
 
Featured photo credit: Lee Harvard via flickr 
 
Author: Luwee Francia

Improve Life Quality Now by Enjoying Your Sundays

Improve Life Quality Now by Enjoying Your Sundays Try a quick exercise. Look over your past week and see how much of your time...

8 Reasons a Leader Should Smile More

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8 Reasons a Leader Should Smile More

8 Reasons a Leader Should Smile More

8 Reasons a Leader Should Smile More Being a good leader has a lot of components, but even something as simple as smiling can be ...

20 Things You Are Wasting Money On

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20 Things You Are Wasting Money On

Here is a list of things that you may be wasting money on:</blockquote>
 
Bottled water 
 
Bottled water can be expensive. If you want filtered water, buy a water filtering system and fill-up a re-usable bottle on your own. You are helping the environment this way as well, since you won’t be using so many plastic bottles. 
 
Famous brand products 
 
When was the last time that you bought something primarily because of the brand? Many people do this. Try to look for items that are similar, but without the brand name logo on it. 
 
Jewelry 
 
Yes, jewelry can be nice to have at times, but should you be spending your life savings on it? Probably not. 
 
Shoes that you do not need 
 
Shoes are important, but are a pair of $1,000 sneakers a “need?” Buy shoes that help you run, walk, hike, look good, etc., but a crazy expensive pair is most likely just a waste of money. 
 
Second-rate entertainment 
 
Second-rate entertainment can be a big money waster. Try to find things to do that are more frugal and fun. Go for a hike, a bike ride, and so on. 
 
Transportation 
 
Do you find yourself driving to where you need to go, when you could easily walk or drive a bike? Think about this next time before you get in your car. Also, think about living closer to work so that you can save on transportation costs that way as well. 
 
Movie theater food 
 
Buying food at the movie theater can be very expensive. Boxes of candy may be around $4 or $5, drinks around $7, and popcorn somewhere between that. Save money and skip the food. 
 
ATM fees 
 
ATM fees can add up quickly. My bank charges an extra $2 or $3 onto whatever the ATM charges me. At times, that means that I have paid over $5 just to get money out. Instead, try to figure out a different way to not pay an ATM fee. 
 
Lottery tickets 
 
Yes, it is nice to think about what you would do if you won all of that money, but the chance of you winning is very slim. Save that money instead. 
 
Coffee 
 
I know of someone who complains about never having money, yet they go to Starbucks every single day and buy a latte. It makes no sense! Save your money and make your cup of coffee at home. 
 
Prepared foods 
 
When at the grocery store, there are always many food items that are already prepared for you. However, try to cook yourself or make things from scratch. You can save money this way. 
 
Insurance 
 
Insurance is expensive, no matter what you are talking about. Car insurance, health insurance, home insurance, life insurance, etc. most likely eat up a lot of your budget. Shop around and find the best rates. 
 
Buying books 
 
Reading a book can be a great hobby that is cheap, but it could be cheaper. Borrow books from your library to completely cut out this expense. 
 
Too large of a home 
 
How much of your house do you actually use? If your house is too big, then you probably have extra rooms that are empty, or you might buy furniture just for the sake of filling those rooms. A bigger house costs more to maintain, and utility bills are most likely higher since you have more space to heat or cool down. 
 
Warranties 
 
Sometimes a warranty may be a good deal, but most of the time they are not. They are usually pure money-makers for the company offering them. If you think the item will break, then you might want to rethink the purchase altogether. 
 
Food that you don’t eat 
 
If you are not careful with what you buy, then there is a large chance that you are wasting a lot of fun. The average family wastes around 25% of the food that they buy. 
 
Smoking 
 
Smoking is not good for you. Try to find a way to break this unhealthy habit. You are saving your life and your money. 
 
Taxes 
 
Many people think that they can do their income taxes on their own, however this isn’t always the best case. A good accountant can help you find areas where you might be able to lower your taxes. 
 
Water 
 
Water can be expensive, and there are things that you can do to lower your water spending. Look into buying more efficient home products, such as a better toilet, faucet, shower head, dish washer and so on. 
 
Cell phone 
 
Cell phones are expensive.  Evaluate your needs and see if there is a cheaper contract out there. There are many new companies popping up all over the place with plans under $30. 
 
What are you wasting your money on? 
 
Are you managing your money well?  
Questions? Don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you :) 
 
Featured photo credit: Lee Harvard via Flickr 
 
Author: Michelle S.

20 Things You Are Wasting Money On

20 Things You Are Wasting Money On There are most likely a good amount of items in your budget that you can probably cut out comp...

10 Healthy Habits That Will Save You Money

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10 Healthy Habits That Will Save You Money

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These healthy habits will help you look and feel good on a budget. If you’d like to boost your bank account while getting fit and healthy, try out these easy-to-implement health tips.</blockquote>
 
1. Establish a six-pack limit. 
 
Confession: I love alcohol. Whether it’s a white russian, red wine, dark beer (Guinness especially) or straight-up liquor, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an alcoholic beverage I can’t say “cheers!” to. Of course, drinking too much is no good for your wallet or your waistline. For evidence, look no further than that guy you knew in high school who used to be a ripped monster (but now has an uber-big beer belly). That is the consequence of drinking way too much. To maintain a healthy weight and save money, limit yourself to 6 drinks per week. That could be one serving of alcohol per day, or, if getting drunk is your style, you’re welcome to save it for the weekend. Have fun (but don’t get carried away!). 
 
2. If you’re gonna eat out, split a dish. 
 
Restaurant prices and portions are out of control these days. If you’re going out on a date, don’t be afraid to ask your waiter or waitress if you can split a dish. They are 99.9% likely to say “yes,” and you’ll spare some dough (not to mention that upset stomach you usually have after eating out). 
 
3. Brew delicious coffee at home. 
 
I love Starbucks as much as the next person, but a lot of folks get too carried away. You do realize that if you spend $3 per day on over-priced (and sugar-laden) coffee drinks, you’re out $90 per month, right? Even if you cut that in two, it is just too much. Think about what you could do with all of that money: the vacations you could take, the beaches you could visit, the things you could do! Convinced? Right then: I know some of you probably go to Starbucks because you don’t like real coffee. You like the sugar-bomb drinks masquerading as coffee (and at a mark-up!). For a healthier (and more budget-friendly) coffee, brew it at home. Add a dash of cinnamon and a splash of milk, then stir and enjoy (you’ll thank me later). For more ways to make your coffee super healthy, click here. 
 
4. Shop for meals (not just stuff). 
 
Have you ever made the mistake of going to the store while you were so hungry that you could eat your hand? I have. Let’s just say the contents of my shopping card were a bit, shall we say, excessive? Hungry or not, going to the store without a plan is a sure-fire way to waste money. Instead of making a general shopping list, make a weekly cooking list. Write down everything you plan to eat for the next 7 days and list every ingredient you will need below your meals. If it’s not on the list, it doesn’t go in your shopping cart. Click here for a big list of over 100 quick and easy healthy recipe ideas that will make you say “nom, nom!” 
 
5. Start a food diary. 
 
Did you know a pen and paper can help you save money and get healthy? True story. Do this: write down every meal you eat for the next week. Also include any details like what time you ate, how you felt after eating (did your meal make you feel happy and fulfilled or sad and lethargic?), and a rating of how much you enjoyed your meal from 1-10. I would be willing to wager you’ll discover that natural, healthy foods like fruits and veggies make you feel a whole lot better than processed junk. This isn’t news: you know it — I know it — we all know it. But keeping a diary and being aware of the effect food has on your mood, energy, and body makes it a whole lot more personal (so you’re going to be more likely to make better decisions in the future!). While you’re at it, you should also start a training diary: click here to find out why. 
 
6. Keep your closet tidy and organized. 
 
Get a really big bag and keep it in the bottom of your closet (an over-sized department store bag or trash-bag would work). As clothes become old and neglected, they go in the bag. If you can’t remember the last time you wore it, it goes in the bag. Every time your bag fills up, take your clothes to a local thrift store to make some dough (cha-ching!) and give the rest away to a charity (or friend) of your choice. Eliminating clutter will help you reduce stress (and who can argue with some extra spending money?). 
 
7. Squeeze exercise into your busy schedule. 
 
If you’re a member of club broke (or even if you’re not), it’s totally okay to work out at home. Exercise is the best medicine you’re not taking (and it’s a whole lot cheaper than that over-the-counter stuff!). It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. You could wake up 30 minutes early and start your day with a dog walk or neighborhood run. You could park super far away or take the stairs to get some extra walking in. You could invest in a chin-up bar (or just grab onto a tree branch) and build a strong back that’s less prone to injury. Can’t do push-ups? Do incline push-ups on a wall, counter, or sturdy table. Any exercise is better than no exercise, so get moving (no matter how long you have!). 
 
8. Brown bag your lunch. 
 
This tip is obvious, but it’s obvious because it works. If you’ve never tried preparing and packing your own lunch, just try it for a week or two. Compare the expense of eating out to the cost of cooking in and I have no doubt you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If you’re short on time, prepare 3-7 days of food at a time and refrigerate or freeze it as applicable (and then you can just “zap” it at meal time). 
 
9. Feel the wind in your face. 
 
Since gas is one of the most expensive things ever, why not turn a negative for your bank account into a positive for your body and environment? If you live close enough, bike to work. You’ll save tons of cash on gas, lose weight, and release endorphins (your body’s feel-good chemicals that make you feel on top of the world). If biking to work is out of the question, try to squeeze a quick walk into your morning and/or lunch hour. 
 
10. Stick with it. 
 
The best fitness plan is worthless if you can’t stick with it for more than a few weeks or months. I know changing your negative habits isn’t easy, but you just gotta do it. If you have a lot of bad habits and aren’t sure how to start, check out my guide to breaking bad habits once and for all. 
 
I hope putting these healthy habits in practice helps you feel happy, look good, and save money. If you have any other cost-saving health tips, please post them below. Questions? Don’t hesitate to ask. 
 
Featured photo credit: Lee Harvard via Flickr 
 
Author: Daniel Wallen

10 Healthy Habits That Will Save You Money

10 Healthy Habits That Will Save You Money These healthy habits will help you look and feel good on a budget. If you’d like to bo...

7 Brilliant Credit Card Tricks To Save Your Money

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7 Brilliant Credit Card Tricks To Save Your Money</div>
 
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Working hard to maximize your cash heading in to the summer? While you’re scrutinizing the use of every hard-earned dollar, play it smart with plastic and save money with these 7 credit card tricks.</blockquote>
 
1. Get that bonus! 
 
Sign-up bonuses are perhaps the fastest way to earn miles, rewards points, or whatever incentive attracted you to that particular piece of plastic. You may be surprised to learn that a large number of new cardholders never complete the steps necessary to earn their bonuses. Take the time to claim what was promised to you, including filling out registrations or surveys. 
 
2. Think before you pay to play. 
 
Many rewards programs require an annual fee. If you are depending on credit cards to earn airline miles or rewards other than cash back, take the time to determine how likely you are to actually use the rewards, and when. If you fly once every five years, for instance, that $100 annual fee means you’re already paying for your ticket out of pocket. Same goes for restaurants, hotels, and other points-based rewards—if you have to adapt or change your habits in order to maximize the rewards and justify the annual fee, you are less likely to actually use them. Shop around for a card with no annual fee or cash rewards instead. 
 
3. Take the company up on that offer. 
 
Credit card vendors often offer perks like gift cards, or short terms promotions like “5% cash back on all gas purchases in the month of October.” The trick here is that you usually have to claim them, and much like those mail-in rebates that rarely make it to the mailbox, many people don’t. Figure out how your bank advertises their offers, and monitor accordingly. A bank may, for instance, share promotions in a banner on the credit card account home screen once you log in. That’s it, no other way. So if you don’t log in regularly, you’ll miss it! 
 
4. Maximize your statement cycle. 
 
US banks are required to allow you 21 days to pay off your bill after the cycle closes. This means that if you make a major purchase toward the end of a given cycle, you’re also buying yourself extra time to pay off your bill. If money is tight and you need what is essentially an interest-free loan to make a purchase, timing the buy well can mean a few extra weeks to pay it off. 
 
5. Protect your identity.   
 
If you use your card to shop online, a bit of security mindfulness can go a long way toward protecting yourself. Take the time to change passwords and login information on sites you shop frequently, and avoid making them all the same. Avoid writing down passwords; if you must, keep the cheat sheet securely locked away at home, not on your desk or phone. Speaking of phones, refrain from having automatic login information to financial or shopping sites stored on yours—if it’s lost, a hacker can easily crack your phone password, if you have one, and have access to your accounts in no time. If you offer credit card information over the phone, do so in a private location, away from strangers. 
 
 
6. Demand a chargeback if appropriate. 
 
 A “chargeback” is simply a refund of your money by the credit card company in the event that unauthorized charges are made on your card. Make sure your card offers this sort of protection and that you can get a hold of your company at any time to freeze your account if necessary. Do not hesitate to file a chargeback request if you have to—the merchant may not like it, but it’s your money you’re protecting. 
 
7. Most importantly—pay off your card.   
 
Nothing puts a damper on a month’s worth of good deals and smart shopping like late fees or interest charges. Treat your card like cash. Only buy what you can afford, when you can afford it, and pay it off on time, every time. 
 
Want another tip? 
 
Here is a simple one: get a credit card. Charge cards are the easiest way to build good credit history, which is going to be very important if and when you ever apply for a home loan, business loan, or similar. You don’t have to use it a lot, but use it often and pay it off regularly. Taking this article to heart, and want a reader’s sign-up bonus, too? Alright, you’ve got it—know your credit score! Soft inquiries, which mean you are checking on your own credit score, do not adversely impact your score; too many hard inquiries, made by merchants when you open up additional cards, can. 
 
Featured photo credit: Lee Harvard via Flickr 
 
Author: Jan Shultis

7 Brilliant Credit Card Tricks To Save Your Money

7 Brilliant Credit Card Tricks To Save Your Money Working hard to maximize your cash heading in to the summer? While you’re scruti...

13 Basic Rules To Grow Your Wealth Effectively

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13 Basic Rules To Grow Your Wealth Effectively</div>
 
 
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Perhaps you started this year vowing to grow personally, expand professionally, or simply grow up. Do you also want to grow your wealth?

While no two financial pictures are exactly the same, healthy portfolios do have similarities. Follow these 13 rules to grow your wealth effectively.</blockquote>
 
Think of money as a tool. 
 
That’s all those papers and coins are — a tool to get you what you want. They aren’t the only way, but it is a universally accepted exchange. Thinking of money as a tool empowers you to avoid many of the negative, intense emotions that can be associated with it, and to make rational, calm spending and saving decisions free of emotion. Money is a tool. That’s it. 
 
Accept that it takes time to expand your tool kit. 
 
It takes time to grow wealth. Period. “Time” in this case means years, sometimes decades. This can be a frustrating concept for young folks who are rarin’ to earn that cash, accustomed to getting what they want with the click of a button and bombarded by stories of internet sensations who made it big overnight and photographs of 20-somethings with luxury cars and diamonds in their ears. 
 
Define “wealth”… 
 
Do you desire a fat bank account, for uses to be determined in the future? The ability to fund an expensive hobby, like horses or photography? The chance to take years off work and afford time to raise your young children? Your definition of “wealth” may, or may not, be a McMansion and six sports cars. Whatever your definition is, congratulations! You’ve established a goal that is yours. Your definition of “wealth” is the one that matters. 
 
… then define “wealth” again. 
 
Accept that you will end up spending vast amounts of money on unplanned expenses. Your car will break down. You will have kids before you’re financially ready. You or a loved one will incur a hefty medical bill. This is called life. Money, that tool we keep in our pockets, will help us meet life challenges. So take a deep breath, relax, and accept the fact that your financial goals will change time and time again. Staying calm during times of unexpected spending will help you keep your eye on the long-term prize; freaking out or giving up on your savings plan in the face of adversity will not. 
 
Acknowledge that cash is king. 
 
If you can’t pay cash for it, you can’t afford it. Treat your credit cards like cash; this means sticking to a lifestyle that suits your income level so you don’t rack off more than you can afford, and paying them off regularly. Do your best to avoid assuming car loans — if you can’t pay the sticker price, search for a used car or take advantage of public transportation for as long as possible. If you have a take a home loan, keep it modest, and wait to look at homes until you can afford to put at least 20% down. 
 
Save. 
 
This is frequently repeated advice, and for good reason — the secret to growing wealth is to accumulate it. Read up on the latest from accountants and peruse personal stories online, check books out of the library, or hire a consultant through your bank to help with financial planning; however you do it, you must develop a savings plan. Once you have at least six months of living expenses for you and your family readily available, you can start to grow your wealth through different types of funds, according to the level of risk you want to assume. 
 
Diversify your tool kit. 
 
Talk to a certified professional about the benefits and drawbacks of savings accounts, stocks, certificates of deposit, IRAs, mutual funds, and any other number of savings and investment options. The key word here is “diversify.” You want to build a broad foundation, so that if something unfortunate happens to any one area of interest, your financial ship simply bobs along in a different direction, it doesn’t sink (and neither do you). Remember that purchasing land or a rental property, or upgrading a home you currently own are also ways to invest. 
 
Shop around until you find a no-fee, cash back credit card. 
 
Avoid complicated rewards point structures, or even airfare cards unless you are a frequent traveler; it can be difficult to gauge whether you will actually use these rewards and the value back on each dollar that you spend can be minimal. Annual fees add up and mean you often end up paying for your plane ticket or hotel room yourself with the fee. Once you find a card you like, stick with it for maximum benefit to your credit score. 
 
Shop around, period. 
 
It is tempting to purchase what we want, when we see it. Online shopping, however, means that nearly every product can be compared to a competitor, whether in your community or across the globe. Take the time to compare prices before you buy, especially on big ticket items. Once you have a good feel for the market, don’t be shy about negotiating for a lower price from a local merchant if you find an item cheaper elsewhere. 
 
Expand your mind. 
 
Get creative in seeking out ways to increase income — there are a lot of ways to earn money out there. Make a list of your skills, whether learned in a professional setting or elsewhere, then hop online to do some research, and talk to everyone you meet about how to possibly leverage those skills. Your local chamber of commerce, or meet up groups advertised online, can be good places to start. It’s a freelancing nation, and you may be surprised at what and how much you can pick up on the side of conventional employment. 
 
Get your hands dirty. 
 
Nothing is ever “too small” or “beneath you” in the money-growing game. Do not shirk from the hard jobs, the dirty jobs, or those that pay only a little in the beginning — pick them up, see where they go, and remember to save, save, save. 
 
Find a good accountant. 
 
Once you have money, you don’t want to give it away, do you? That’s exactly what you do come tax time — give your hard-earned cash back to the government. Tax codes are complicated, to say the least, so make sure you are giving exactly what you owe and not a penny more by enlisting the help of a seasoned professional. Though Certified Public Accountants are more expensive than do-it-yourself options, what they save you this year and in the years to come truly make this investment worth it. 
 
Treat money management like a job. 
 
Set aside time each week to review your financial accounts. If you’re starting out, this time may be as simple as going over your credit card statement to confirm that every charge is legitimate; if your financial picture is intricate and complicated, this could mean a weekly meeting with your financial planner or bank. Take time to study articles online, read a book from the library, or attend a local class that will teach you more about what all of those financial terms mean and how they apply to you. 
 
Want to make progress today?  
 
Featured photo credit: Lee Harvard via Flickr 
 
 
Author: Jan Shultis

13 Basic Rules To Grow Your Wealth Effectively

13 Basic Rules To Grow Your Wealth Effectively Perhaps you started this year vowing to grow personally, expand professionally, or s...

Lee Harvard - Tips for Life