But what can the movement learn form the past? How has previous financial turmoil responded in the face of protesters and action movements? With a historical reference is the Occupy Wall Street movement one in a long line of successful economic protest movements or are the sign holders wasting their time?

The Labor Movement

The Labor Movement in the United States started in the late 1800s and continued through the early 20th century. The movement is a name that covers many different protests, strikes, and sit-ins with the aim of increasing the rights and treatment of workers.

The Industrial Revolution gave business owners the opportunity to make products on a much larger scale than before. There was ample opportunity for business owners to expand their companies on the backs of low-wage earning workers. Much like the “we are the 99%” rallying cry of the Occupy Movement, this earning disparity caused much distress within the bottom portion of the arrangement.

The workers in this case were in a much desperate situation than modern workers with their lives literally on the line in some circumstances. Protests during these times often led to police action without much government sympathy for the protesters.

In the end, it was more the impact of a handful of horrible accidents that finally got legislators to create policies to help the workers. But the protests certainly impacted the business owners themselves, albeit on a much smaller scale.

Great Depression Protests

The Great Depression was caused by a similar situation we find ourselves in today; the economy appeared a little better than it actually was and people over-committed their finances in reaction. And much like today’s post-bubble US fingers were pointed at different directions and the ultimate culprit seemed to be a collective negligence.

Either way the Great Depression was the result. And this period of American history was marked with a huge lack of employment. And it was this lack of jobs that got people out of their houses (or Hoovervilles) and onto the streets to protest.

And much like Occupy Wall Street the disdain of the protesters was focused on the government. The collective conscious had decided that President Hoover, the Congress, and their fiscal policies were to blame for the economic stagnation.

The good news here is that their movement did in fact result in a drastic change in the political landscape. The next presidential election brought in Franklin Roosevelt, the Democrats, and the New Deal. From 1928 to 1932 the Democratic party seats in the House of Representatives went from 37% to 71% and the Great Depression was on its way out.

Anti-globalization Movement

The Anti-globalization Movement was created to take a stance against multi-national corporations and their poor business practices. Global companies were seen by this group as a real problem as they pushed out local businesses and often relied on cheap labor in poor countries to keep their competitive edge.

The movement culminated in a 40,000 person strong protest that took place at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center where the World Trade Organization was holding its biannual meeting in 1999.

The protesters closed down streets and even chained themselves together. The police were dispatched and hundreds of people were arrested. The group decided to be a little less than peaceful and a bit of destruction of local businesses gave the movement a bit of a negative opinion on the news.

In the end the protest brought a bit of light to an issue that was already picking up steam. A handful of organizations used this protest to enlist more members in their cause, but at the end of the day the protest was short lived and made little impact in slowing down the global corporations.

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street maintains that their aim is to stop the greed and corruption of the people who control the top 1% of the money in the US. Their protests are occurring in almost every major city and are continuous with some even creating tent-based sleeping quarters.

As with other protests throughout history they have been met with police action. But with a nod to historical knowledge they have done their best to maintain a peaceful movement. The public opinion of the group varies and the tipping point when the beliefs of the group will become the beliefs of the masses is uncertain.

They do appear to be the largest and most publicized protest movement in recent US history though. However, of all the things the movement is doing right the one way they differ from previous movements is their lack of a tangible goal. In order the three previous movements wanted workers’ rights, jobs, and action to curb globalization. But if OWS would be content with new tax legislation, new business regulations, or wall street reprimanding is unclear. Where will Occupy Wall Street Movement find themselves in history books only time will tell.

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George Gallagher is a economic and education writer. He also works with graduates of college to figure out what student loan consolidation plan is right for them.

Investment Banking Jobs

Investment banking jobs are not for everyone. If you are the type of person that is capable of dealing with the ups and the downs of the market, investment banking could be right for you. These fast-paced jobs are very competitive and very lucrative. If you are looking for growth opportunities, investment banking jobs could be a great match. The ideal investment banker works well under stressful situations. With the right drive, personality, and skills, you can train to become an experienced investment banker capable of making educated decisions. Investment bankers need to be analytical and logical in their decisions. Investing banking can be extremely intense. If you are willing to work hard to earn a great income, this could be a great field for you.

Corporate Finance Jobs

If investment banking sounds a bit too risky for you, consider the benefits of working in corporate finance. Corporate finance jobs are designed for individuals that are resourceful, numbers oriented, and organized. The purpose of corporate finance specialists is to find money to operate the business. Most multinational corporations have a need for talented corporate finance specialists. The financial future of the company relies on the expertise of the corporate finance department. Financial officers need to have knowledge in regulatory laws and liquidity. Officers will need to design, implement, and monitor financial policies of the corporation. Once these policies are designed, they will need to plan and execute a financing program. During this program, cash resources are managed to ensure the company is profitable and stable.

Unlike investment banking jobs, corporate careers in finance are extremely stable if you work for the right corporation. Corporate financing jobs do not rely on sales or the investment market. The key to becoming an asset in corporate finance is learning how to make your company successful long-term. Some argue that corporate finance jobs are the most desirable for individuals who prefer a set schedule and a regular income. If you are good at problem-solving and are not afraid of ambiguity, consider the benefits of becoming a corporate finance officer.

Financial Planning Careers in Finance

Financial planning careers are great for individuals who want to help people plan their financial future. The primary responsibility of a financial planner is to help private investors plan for retirement by creating a reasonable financial plan. Not all financial planning has to deal with retirement. You can also help people plan to save for college, buying a home, or buying an investment property for residual income. Financial planning is a rewarding career for people with interpersonal skills. If you get energy from being around people and helping people, you are an extrovert. The best financial planners are extroverts because they enjoy working with the community and seeing the results of their hard work.

The best financial planners will have people skills, communication skills, ability to synthesize, and initiative. If you want to become a financial planner, you should pursue a college degree in a business related major. Once you have a degree, you can decide if you want to work for a company or for yourself. When you work for a company, you have peace of mind in knowing the employer has a set book-of-business. If you work for yourself, you can set your own per-hour fee but you will have to build your business.

Commercial Banking Careers in Finance

Commercial banking is a growing sector that has not been consolidated over the years. Commercial banking associates provide banking services to small businesses and large organizations. If you want the opportunity to learn about business and you enjoy working with people, consider the benefits of becoming a commercial banker. Commercial banks are very diverse environments that require individuals who are not scared of change. When you apply for a commercial banking position with no experience, you may start out as a teller and move up to an international finance specialist in a matter of months. If you can prove yourself, you can advance rather quickly in these careers in finance.

In this capitalistic society, careers in finance will always exist. Some finance careers are very risky while others are stable. You will need to weight the pros and cons of each career to make the best decision. When you find a job you love to do, you will never feel like you are at work. Take time to sit down and review the responsibilities of each position and the income potential. Once you select the right career, make a plan to get the training you need to become an asset. Choose careers in finance that match your personality and your inherent skills and you will be happy with what you do.

1. Not opening the bills. This is a potentially disastrous way to handle bills, with late fees costing you money and your credit rating. Even if you only pay bills twice a month, be sure to open mail as it comes in and organize it by date to ensure deadlines are met. Additionally, opening mail will also allow you to quickly resolve any erroneous charges or other issues that arise on your bills. Even if you know you don’t have the money to pay your bills, not opening them will not solve the problem.

2. Not having a flexible budget. Maybe you have a budget that you plan to revise it in a few months, once you get the car paid off. That’s great – it is necessary to budget for short term goals, especially if you’re saving up for a large purchase or paying off a debt, but don’t forget the big picture. You should also have a plan for the foreseeable future and beyond–retirement planning, home purchase, starting a family. Planning today may eliminate higher, unexpected costs later.

3. Overdoing a Carpe Diem! attitude. This great phrase has led to many good and many bad decisions over the years. While you must enjoy the life you have now, do not seize today so much that you are still paying for it next Christmas. Impulse buys, trips, and other “me” items should be paid for in cash, based on a specified allotment you give yourself. Once your monthly cash is gone, the spending stops and so does your fear of opening the credit card bill next month.

4. Seeking the quick money. Are you attracted to get-rich-quick plans, such as day trading or high risk investments. Yes, you may earn money…but more often than not, you will lose whatever you put into it. Be sure to research whatever investments or financial deals you make and know the risks…and never put any money into this type of venture if you can’t afford to lose it. The same goes for playing the lottery, bingo, and engaging in any kind of gambling.

5. Being clueless about your spending. If you’ve ever taken your wallet out at a register, had no cash, and couldn’t remember where you spent it, then read closely. You need to track your money so you know where it goes and who gets it. One of the easiest ways to identify financial bad habits is by tracking your spending. Track all expenses for one entire month—this means everything from your morning latte and lunch with your coworkers to your rent and vehicle expenses. At the end of the month, review your expenses and you’ll be amazed at what you find.

6. Overvaluing your Rewards card…Yes, those ever-popular rewards credit cards may be great for earning trips and free hotel stays, but did you know that the average Rewards-based credit card has a 2% higher APR than other cards? Also, economists have noted that people may increase their spending and use of the cards as they get closer to rewards they want. So, if you typically pay your card off at the end of each month and you view the rewards as an unexpected bonus, these cards may be great for you; but beware of your interest charges if you carry a balance from month to month.

Regardless of your financial situation, talking stock of how you spend money will reveal some surprises. You can then make an action plan to make changes in your behavior. If you put your plan into play, reevaluate in six month. You will very likely find that your financial outlook is different, you are more aware of your finances, and you have more money to spend.

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Sell It Yourself

When it comes to actual cash value, you may be better off selling the car yourself than using it as a trade-in. A private sale almost always brings a higher price, which you can then apply to a down payment on a new vehicle. Unfortunately it may also mean a long wait until you find the right buyer. In order to expedite the matter, many people opt for trading-in their old car. It’s simpler, quicker and if you do it right you’ll still end up getting a fair price.

Before You Buy

Doing a little research on how much your car is actually worth before visiting a dealer is always a good idea. This will give you a starting point when you begin negotiating a trade-in price. You can estimate worth by doing the following things:

• Find out what the Kelly Blue Book value is. Kelly Blue Book is one of the most well known and dependable sources for determining the value of a vehicle. They take into consideration the year, make, model and other criteria, such as mileage and ‘extras’ the car may have, like side air bags, air conditioning or GPS systems, and come up with a ball park figure of what a vehicle of that type is worth.
• Attend used car auctions and pay attention to what vehicles such as yours are selling for.
• Visit other websites that have information on trade-in values. See what comparable vehicles are worth.

Visiting the Dealer

One of the first things a dealer will ask is whether or not you plan to trade in your old vehicle. It may be best to try and pin them down to a firm price for the new vehicle you’ve selected before letting them know you plan to trade.

They don’t generally like to negotiate that way, but it would be in your best interest. Remember, a car dealer is in the business to make money. They know how much they can sell your old car for, so naturally they’re not going to offer you that amount but something much less, otherwise they couldn’t make a profit.

Go to a dealer that has a good reputation. Ask your friends who they recommend. Were they satisfied with the deal they got? Was the staff friendly and courteous, or did they try and rush them into making a decision? Research the dealer’s business rating online. Does the Better Business Bureau have any complaints against them? The more knowledge you have ahead of time the easier it will be to select the right dealer.

Negotiating Tips

The negotiating process is difficult for people who are not comfortable arguing, but it can be done in a non-confrontational manner that will ensure you receive the best possible price for your trade-in. Remember, until you actually sign the papers the car is still yours and you’re free to consult with another dealer before making a commitment.

Don’t let the dealer rush you. After you’ve received what they say is their final offer, go home and discuss it with your family. This will give you time to make sure you’re satisfied with the deal. It may also make a dealer ‘reconsider’ their final offer and make you an even better one. You’re in the driver’s seat–it’s your car and they want to sell you a new one. It’s up to them to satisfy you, not the other way around.

Other Trade-In Tips

Determine what factory incentives are available for the vehicle you intend to purchase. A dealer will sometimes include these incentives in the ‘price’ you received for your trade-in even though you would have gotten them anyway. A little research online will help you be aware of these incentives before you go to the dealer.

End of year sales are always a good time to buy. Dealers will be trying to move the previous year’s vehicles and may be inclined to give you a better trade-in price so they can make room for the new models.

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Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes on many topics, including Auto Insurance Quotes for www.carinsurancequotes.net.

A recent New York Times article featured Champlain College, an institution in Vermont that requires all of its junior students to take “financial sophistication” courses, in which students learn more than just the basics of balancing a checkbook. Student teachers teach other students about student loans, credit reports, and how to maximize your credit score while minimizing debt. They empower students to avoid typical college-level financial pitfalls like taking out several credit cards, while also educating them about future decisions like buying a home, preparing tax forms, paying back loans, investing, and taking advantage of employee benefits.

The article’s author noted that it is the only American institution of higher education that has such an in-depth program about personal finances. Considering that good personal finance decisions start early, it’s a shame that more schools don’t have these sorts of options, which can potentially save many recent graduates just starting their careers from following the footsteps of debt-laden parents, relatives, and friends.

For current college students or recent graduates who do not have the good fortune of a program similar to Champlain’s, there are several tools, articles, and books out there to get you caught up. While in an ideal world we twenty-somethings would be born knowing all the ins and outs of personal finance, the fact of the matter is that most of us are woefully ignorant. One of my favorite personal finance blogs dedicated to a young audience is MoneyUnder30.com, a blog written by a man under thirty who left school strapped with debt but managed to find a way out. For those who are in a similar position, this blog is especially inspiring.

If reading blogs isn’t your thing, considering setting up your finances with online tools like Mint.com. In my personal opinion, Mint is one especially compelling answer to Gen Y’s personal finance woes. We were born virtually feeding on the Internet intravenously. Online platforms like Mint that connect and simplify are especially useful for those of us who are adept at using online tools like Facebook intuitively. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Mint, it’s an online tool that syncs with your bank account and aggregates all your financial information into one simple user interface. It helps you keep track of savings goals, and allows you to know exactly when all your bills are due on one site.

Investing is another arena in which students and recent grads can feel as though they’ve been left in the dark. In fact, many people don’t begin investing until their 30s. The best advice for those in their twenties who would like to wade into the investing world is to learn the basics of financial markets. The blogosphere is littered with investing strategies that are more suited for those who already know the terminology. Thus, the best way to start off on a simple and sound investing strategy is to read as many basic-level books as you can on the topic. A CNN Money article published last year advices that recent college graduates read The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle, How a Second Grader Beats Wall Street by Allan Roth, and That Thing Rich People do by Kaye Thomas. These books will give a sound investing background such that you can branch out later and try more complicated investing strategies.

In the final analysis, if you didn’t learn anything about finance from your parents or from school, then you’ll have to put in some time to figure things out on your own. Many recent graduates are so excited about getting a job and having independence that they don’t buckle down and begin thinking about their financial futures. Don’t make the same mistake that so many others have made. Start teaching yourself now.

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Raine Parker, regularly writes on the topics of accounting degree. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: raine.parker6@gmail.com.

The importance of such science lies in the fact that it greatly influences each country’s economy, defines business networks and can determine both failures and successes.
Just to make an example, a successful company that has a satisfactory turnover might easily lose everything it has by simply mis-investing its assets.

That is why we might define finance as the art of investing, because investing is not something you are taught in school, but a complex science that involves a number of factors, such as feelings, emotions (fear, enthusiasm, pessimism, optimism…), agreements, deals, economic facts, politics and so forth…

A good financial advisor knows that asset allocation plays an important role when it comes to investing, as diversification tends to reduce risk and maximize earnings. That is why most companies do not invest their own assets, but generally rely on prestigious investment banks, which manage their financial activities and advise them on the best strategies, keeping account of the world economy.

The battlefield of finance is the stock market, where individuals, companies and corporations trade everything: funds, bonds, stocks, commodities, goods and services.
Every developed and modern country has its own stock market, but, as you can well imagine, it is the most powerful countries that influence the world economy with their equity markets, such as Wall Street, London, Shanghai, Tokyo and Frankfurt.

However, finance is not simply determined by the aforementioned stock markets but by many other aspects, such as expectations, which is why finance is often referred to as a behavioral science.
The most important investment companies, in fact, do not simply have a vast knowledge of economics, but also of psychology and mass media-related mechanisms.
Mass media, intended as the array of media used to deliver news, is the information source investors and potential investors refer to before taking any decision. A political crisis, a terror attack, a flood or any other phenomenon might keep thousands of people from “daring”.

Not to forget, then, is the equally important role played by central banks, whose strategies and actions can either boost or slow down the world economy. Broadly speaking, when a central bank wants the economy to grow and the market to get more dynamic, it lowers interest rates so that more people can easily get mortgages, loans and other forms of credit at advantageous conditions.

What will these people use such “lent” money for? They will probably invest it in business-related activities and, so doing, they will indirectly cause the stock market to rise. But when it reaches a certain peak, central banks, driven by their experience, in-depth research and analyses, tend to get protected from upcoming drops, which is why they gradually increase interest rates causing the market to shrink.
International stock markets can perceive such changes either positively or negatively, depending on the current historical, economic and political situation.

Here is a piece of advice for those who are meditating on playing the market: gambling on the stock market is highly risky. There are many relevant companies, or maybe we should say “there were”, which thought it was a brilliant idea to play the market instead of investing their assets in bonds and other secure financial products. The result? Many of them have been bought out at surprisingly low prices.

So, to put it in simple words, finance is a very risky field that can give you a lot, but can also take a lot from you, leaving you no shoulder to cry on, especially if you play the market on your own.
Now you probably understand why most banks offer investment consultancy services and why there are so many financial services companies out there, which support their customers by advising them as to how to invest their money.

Needless to say that when it comes to money, honesty is a virtue that many leave aside. It is of the utmost importance that you find a broker and/or advisor who can really help you make the most out of your earnings, without requiring too high commissions.

In the matter of honesty, we should also mention transparency, as those piles of documents bank clerks and brokers hand to their customers are so high and complex that the naivest customers do not even want to read before signing. Well, that’s wrong, especially considering that many evil-minded brokers who take advantage of people’s lack of attention to have them sign counterproductive contracts.

To sum it up, stick to the golden rule: Keep your eyes open all the time and put your savings in safe hands.

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Do you need more information on the financial products available for you? Visit the site of Sun Life Financial of Canada, where you can find it!

But each day is its own day. Most problems don’t carry over to the next day. You don’t have to worry about the future. Because today is more important.

There are lots of lessons we can learn from kids.

Some of them are easy to incorporate into our adult live. And some of them aren’t. But we can still learn a lot by watching children, whether they are our own, or they belong to a friend or neighbor. If we could turn back the clock…well, that’s not possible. So let’s focus on what we CAN learn from young people.

I like talking with my 8-year old son about money. His outlook on money is so simple. If you have it you can spend it, if you don’t then you can’t. Thank goodness they don’t make credit cards for kids, or that would ruin all the fun – and take away the lessons we as adults can learn from kids about money.

Every once in a while you’ll see an article about the money lessons adults should teach their kids. But rarely do you see similar articles explaining what we can learn from them. So here are 5 lessons about money that I learned from watching and listening to my 8 year old son:

1. Buy only when you enough money in your piggy bank.
   It doesn’t get any better than this. What a great lesson! Sometimes I’ll tell my son “we’ll give you some money towards that toy you want” and he looks at me strange. Not that he doesn’t appreciate my offer, but he wants to buy it with his own money, not mine. Hopefully he’ll remember these moments when he gets older, and wants to buy a $1,500 3D-TV or something like that.

2. Save for the fun things you really want.
   Big or small, expensive or cheap. If you really want it, then save up for it. Fortunately, he won’t spend his money on junk. He only spends it on the things he wants, and will take as long as needed to save enough money to buy it. What discipline! How many people do you know that do this? In this world of instant credit, many people don’t care about saving up for something they can buy with credit – especially if they get no interest for 3 years.

3. If you need more money, find a way to earn it.
   The kid never asks to borrow money. But he’ll ask if there are any jobs around the house that he can do. Not just to earn money, but to earn money for something specific he wants to buy. He’ll even ask grandma and grandpa if they have any jobs for him (of course, they’ll just give him money because he’s cute, but that’s another story!) Or he’ll open a “candy store” or “toy store” in the house and try to sell those items he doesn’t want. He’ll even ask us to send out emails to our family and friends. There’s definitely a future for him selling stuff on Craigslist.

4. Find ways to have fun without spending money.
   The message here – you don’t need to spend money to have fun. Sure, most of what adults do involves money in some way. But there are lots of ways to have fun and still not spend a lot. Go to a local carnival or fair instead of the amusement park. Go out for ice cream instead of an entire dinner. Buy used instead of new. Or don’t buy at all until you have the money (see #2 above!). Have family movie night or game night at home instead of going out to the theater. Be creative (just being creative can be fun!).

5. Saving is fun, especially when you can see the money.
   Set up a separate savings account just for big purchases, then post your statements up on the fridge so you can see them. Or just use a sticky note or erasable message board so you can update your savings. And make sure to write down what you are saving for. If you have a family, this is a great way to get everyone involved if it is a purchase that everyone can enjoy, like a big screen TV or family vacation.

What money lessons have you learned from a child? If you’re not sure, make sure to take a few minutes next time you are around kids and see how they handle money – in a restaurant, store, or just hanging out.

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This article was written by Kris Bickell, whose website offers tips for finding the right debt relief program without getting ripped off.

Clunkers: Not only is buying a brand new way too expensive car a huge waste of money, but on the other hand, a clunker that you have multiple problems with can be a slow leak of money. Are you constantly putting money into repairs to keep your clunker running? Are the repairs costing more than the car is worth? You may want to consider purchasing a car that is a little more reliable. A car that is too crappy can also end up costing more in gas, which may end up being a large amount of money in the long run.

Gadgets: Everyone likes gadgets, but if you’re constantly having to upgrade an item, usually the upgrades are slow leaks of money. They don’t seem like a lot, but do you need the newest gadget if the old one you have works the same?

Houses that Are Too Large: Of course a house that is too large for you or your family would seem like a huge waste of money but there are slow money leaks in buying a house that is too large as well. For instance are you paying electricity, heating or air conditioning on areas of the house that are never used? It may not seem like much but those small amounts can add up.

Alcoholic Beverages While Out: Restaurants and bars are the most expensive places to have a drink. Not only is a glass of soda way overpriced, but sometimes just a couple glasses of wine can cost as much as just buying a bottle and drinking it at home.

Convenience Store Items: If you stop regularly at convenience stores, you’re probably wasting more money than you think. Most often you are simply paying for the convenience of being able to stop on the side of the road, run in and grab your bottled of water. It is way cheaper to purchase a larger amount of whatever you need while on the go and keep it in your car than to shop convenience stores. Besides the fact that most people end up grabbing at least one more item than they had initially planned.

Eating Out for Lunch: It doesn’t seem like much, especially when you think you’re just purchasing things from the dollar menu each day, but eating out for lunch is a complete waste of money. Try leftovers from home or packing a lunch, it’s cheaper and better for you (which could cut down on medical expenses too).
Coffee: This is what is referred to as the latte factor. If you’re purchasing your favorite cup of coffee everyday on your way to work, this is a slow leak of money that ends up costing quite a bit. Add up how much you spend on your favorite latte for the month. You may be surprised.

Designer Wrinkle Creams: In all actuality there is more to having healthy skin and looking younger than the cream you use on your face. If you drink plenty of water, limit time in the sun, wear sunscreen and avoid things like smoking, you’ve pretty much done what you can. Designer skin care does not really do much and can definitely end up being a slow leak of money that costs a lot.

Bottled Water: Of course we need water so we don’t have to buy designer wrinkle creams, but the slow leak is that you can fill up a cup or use a purifier and save money instead of purchasing overpriced bottles of water that are usually no different.

Take a look at the things that you purchase and you may notice some slow leaks of money that you weren’t aware of. Even if they seem minimal, add up the total per month and even year. You may be shocked to find out how much you’re actually spending on slow leaks of money.

There are obviously many more ways for you to leak money. Please share with us other ways which you have experienced that slowly leaks money.

This post is written by Mr Credit Card from www.askmrcreditcard.com. Mr Credit Card reviews lot of credit cards on his site. His latest post is about instant approval credit cards.

Rule one: Never try to keep up with the Joneses.

Each day we are exposed to a plethora of images of wealth and possessions. We see our sports and Hollywood idols buy 20 million dollar mansions, buy million dollar pieces of jewelry, we hear our neighbors boast about their expensive new car, extravagant vacations they took and about the high ticket purchases the have made. Rule one says; that if we stop trying to compete, we will immediately become clear. The pressures will lift and we will be able to live for ourselves. Try this simple rule for 30 days, stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and see how you feel. I can guarantee you will feel a weight lift off your financial shoulders.

Rule two: Start your purse to fattening painlessly.

Let’s face it Americans are not the best savers. By nature we like nice things. We like good food; we enjoy fine clothing, fine wines, travel and toys. Rule two states that you must cut back, at least a little. I once had a boss that said, “Live small, until it’s time to live big” I think he was onto something. Rule two says the easiest way to start your purse to fattening is not to take money out of your income and save it, that is way too hard for us but it is in fact simply to cut some waste, some excess. Reduce your bad credit cell phone bill by 3%, cut your cable bill by 5%, and reduce your credit card debt on one single card, saving you 9%. Do the math. These savings equal 17%. Rule two says, save your money this way because we all know that it is not realistic to take 17% of your income and save it. Savings are savings. Save wherever you can.

Rule three: understanding a Real Rate of Return.

I am by no means anti CD (Certificate of Deposit) or anti bank. They have there place but please try and understand your real rate of return when investing. Let’s illustrate this simply. If you put $1000 into a one year CD and you earn 3% that year you now have $1030. Not bad, simple, safe and easy. Did you know that your bank is going to send you a 1099? This is a tax form stating your income from your earned interest, in other words your 30 bucks. Now let’s say your tax bracket is 30% total and then deduct that from your $30. You now are left with only $21. This means that your real rate of return is 2.1%. Rule three says; don’t get fooled, understand your real rate of return.

Rule Four: Triple Compounding Interest.

In rule three we explored the tax consequences of standard savings. In rule four we will explore the magic of what I call triple compounding interest so pay close attention, so I don’t lose you. If we put money into a multiyear tax free or tax deferred savings vehicle we earn interest. Simple enough to understand, but did you know we also earn interest on our interest? Yes, of course you did, this is simple compounding interest. So here is the kicker. Did you know there is a third way we will earn interest on this account? No, you didn’t. Well let me explain. With this type of savings account we also earn interest on the money that was not taxed and subsequently not taken out of our account. This means we earn interest on our savings. In this case we are earning interest on our tax savings. Uncle Sam is actually floating us. Rule four; use triple compounding interest.

This guest post is contributed by Maria Rainier, she writes on the topic of online education.

Investing for the Future

The winds of change are definitely blowing in the direction of green business practices and sustainability. Instead of investing with the old tried and true methods, research the options for investing in companies that are promoting a smaller carbon footprint, social responsibility investments and greener business practices. When you see that Wal-Mart is promoting these types of methods, you can practically see the writing on the wall.

Pay Your Bills Online

As simple as this may seem, many people are not utilizing the convenience of paying their monthly bills electronically. Not only will it save the trees by eliminating paper, it will also save you time. Reports indicate that the average American family receives about twenty bills per month. Take into consideration the time you spend opening the bills, writing them out, buying stamps and posting them and it is thought that this task takes approximately two hours a month. By paying your bills electronically you can find yourself saving as much as an hour or more of your time plus eliminate the need to buy stamps which no longer are so cheap.

Direct Deposit

Having your weekly paycheck deposited into your account automatically can save you lots of waiting time in line at the bank. You will not have to deal with tellers or make a special trip to the bank because you had to wait for your check to clear. Many financial institutions will provide you with monetary benefits for using this method such as a higher rate of interest on savings accounts along with free checking.

Investment Reports

Instead of waiting for your financial information to arrive in the mail each month, sign up for alerts through your email so that you may check on the status of your investment whenever it is convenient for you. This will help to stop the paper trail that follows so many of us like a faithful dog.

Opt Out of Receiving Catalogs in the Mail

Just about any shopping you can do from a catalog can be done just as easily online. Many times online purchases afford the consumer bargains and incentives that are not available through conventional catalog purchases. You will enjoy a shorter waiting period for your purchases to arrive and many times shipping and handling charges are absorbed by the merchant when you shop online.

When you manage your financial affairs in the virtual world, you are helping to reduce the greenhouse effect that is threatening the global environment. You can enjoy a savings of as much as $150-$200 per year on checks, stamps and even late fees when you pay your bills and do your banking online. Invest the money you save so that your profits continue to grow from caring for the environment you are leaving for future generations.