Used correctly a “buy one get one free” sale, or BOGO, can be a very powerful savings tool. You can get the items you need at half of their regular prices. What could be wrong with that? Here are a few of the ways that I’ve put them to use.

Shopping for children’s clothing
Do you have two kids that need new shoes? Maybe you’re in the hunt for new winter coats for the family. BOGO’s are perfect for these types of situations. You usually have to pay for the more expensive item and get the less expensive one for free.

Pooling your shopping needs
If you only have one child, you may think that BOGO’s won’t work for you. Don’t be so quick to discount them, though. Maybe a friend with one child can go shopping with you. Reach out to friends or family members who have children around the same age as your kids and see if you can help each other out.

Stock your pantry
When food items are offered in a BOGO promotion, I almost always buy them. Staples like flour and sugar are wonderful items to stock up on, but don’t overlook more perishable items can be good buys too if you will use them before they become stale. One of the biggest ways I save money on our grocery bill each month is utilizing Publix’s weekly BOGO sales. I can score especially good deals when combining these sales with coupons.

Plan ahead for future needs
I’m a big fan of purchasing multiples of items and putting one away for future use. Art supplies are always nice to have in storage. Extra stocks and undies are great, too. Just be careful to leave some room to grow when you are selecting clothing items.

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If you are looking into buying your first home at the moment, the thought of whether or not you will be granted a mortgage no doubt fills you with dread. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of gaining that first time buyer mortgage. Keep reading to find out how to make yourself more appealing to the lenders.

Credit scores
Analysts have spent the last few years predicting that it is only going to become tougher to get a mortgage as lending criteria is tightened – meaning that those with poor credit scores will stand less chance of being able to buy. To stop this happening to you, the first thing to do is to get a basic version of your credit report. There are many providers who will be able to provide you with this for free or at minimal cost. Once you have received it check through your entire report to ensure that all the information included is correct. If you find an error, contact the credit reference agency to get them removed.

Responsibility
One of the main factors lenders use to decide whether or not they can trust you to repay your debt is how you have handled credit in the past. If you have a long history of taking out credit and paying it back in line with the agreed terms, you are much more likely to receive a first time mortgage as lenders will see you as a safer bet than someone without any credit history at all.
This means that if you have never borrowed at all, lenders have no idea how good you are at paying back, and may well refuse your mortgage application. If you are in this position, the best practice is to take out a credit card, use it a few times a month, then ensure you pay off your balance to avoid paying interest. This will help build up a positive credit history for you, and your chances of receiving a mortgage are greatly increased.

Deposits
Although smaller deposits are increasingly becoming common place, the fact still remains that the larger the deposit you can make the better the chance you have of receiving a mortgage. It is recommended you attempt to save up at least 10 per cent of the total price of your new home if possible to improve your chance. Raising a larger deposit will also mean you get access to lower mortgage rates too.

Speak to different lenders
Despite all of this, remember that all lenders are different, so just because you have been turned down by one doesn’t mean you will by all. To improve your chances considerably, speak to a mortgage broker before you go to a bank. They are likely to know which banks or lenders are right for you, so a quick chat with one of them should help you navigate the process.

If you’re looking to make a little extra money, there’s a huge benefit to running your own business, whether you want to go full-time self-employed or just have a small business on the side to complement your day job. There are all sorts of things you can do: make and sell your own crafts and produce; provide an expert service like tutoring or writing; you can even buy and sell products using your expert marketing abilities to turn a profit.

However you’re planning your new venture, it’s important to have a solid business plan. To get you started, we’ve put together this quick guide – start thinking about each section before you set your new venture up!

Planning
To determine whether or not your business is likely to be successful, you’ll need to do some preliminary research. These are the questions you’ll need to think about:

Are you providing something useful? There’s no point setting up a business unless you know that what you’re offering will be beneficial, so make sure there is a real need or requirement for the service you’re providing.

Do you have the relevant skills? Qualifications aren’t everything, but they can come in useful when you’re promoting your business. Make sure you have something to use to promote your authority in the market – whether it’s a certificate for a Personal Trainer service or cupcake tasters for a baking company!

Do you have customers? If you don’t have a base of people who know and care about your business, you don’t really have a business at all. Think about where you are going to promote your services or product, and to whom.

Research
Join a growing network of freelancers and self-employed people to gain access to support and advice when you need it. There are many websites which offer communities of like-minded business people who will always be there for you to bounce ideas off and navigate the sometimes scary world of self-employment! Online networking is also a place to get your brand name out there and meet other new businesses.

Registering
You’ll need to register your business to ensure you’re paying the right amount of tax. There are several ways you can do this, depending on how you’re running your business.

Sole trader: If you’re the only person working on and running your business, you’re a sole trader. This is simple to setup; all you need to do is register online with HMRC.

Partnership: If you’re setting up your company with somebody else, or several other people, and you all have equal financial responsibility, you’ll need to set up a partnership. You’ll need to head to a law stationer’s and pick up a Memorandum and Articles of Association, and request the relevant documents from Companies House.

Limited Company: These are a little more complicated – if several people own a share in your company, and the size of their share determines their financial responsibility, you should speak to a solicitor or seek out a dedicated service for help registering as a limited company.

Fortunately, you can make your windows look like they were touched by an interior designer without actually having to pay one. With some insider secrets and some out-of-the-box thinking, you can have your window boxes dressed to the nines in no time.

Fabrics for Highlighting Function and Form

In the way that couture gowns and tailored suits look expensive because they were literally made for the person wearing them, you can apply the same philosophy to your windows: even though they look custom, they don’t have to come with a custom price-tag.
When dressing up your windows, lightweight and loosely woven fabrics reign supreme. This is due, in large part, to the way the light filters through them from outside.

But always remember to add a lining. With lightweight materials hanging over a light source, you run the risk of being able to see the back of the fabric when the light shines through. Therefore, like a good slip can make or break a starlet’s red carpet walk, so can a window lining prevent you from seeing anything other than the front of the fabric you have so painstakingly picked out!

Measure Twice
The most important tip to keep in mind is to measure twice, cut and drill once. When customizing your own window treatments, the amount of fabric you need depends on the type of treatment you plan to use and also the way you plan to hang them to cover your windows. Here are some of the basics:

Roman Shades:
First, decide whether you want an inside mount or an outside mount.

For inside mounts, the shades are mounted within the frame of the window (inside the casement). This type of mount provides a clean, custom, built-in look and is a way to leave attractive trim or woodwork exposed and the maximum amount of wall visible around the window. However, if your window frames aren’t deep enough (minimums range from ¾” to 3″ deep, depending on the type of shade), you should consider an outside mount.

To measure for inside mounts: measure the inside width at three locations (top, middle and bottom) and take the smallest of the three numbers – this is your ordering width. Next, measure the inside height at three locations (left side, middle and right side) and take the largest of the three as your ordering length.

Outside mounts are attached to the wall, ceiling or trim/molding surface surrounding the window and are most commonly used when your windows are shallow or when you wish to hide a less attractive window. One bonus to using an outside mount is the optical illusion effect of a larger window, so this is a good choice if your windows are on the smaller side.

To measure for outside mounts:
Measure the entire width you’d like to cover (the window itself plus the casement or trim) plus extra to allow for light seepage (1-1½” per side, 2-3″ total), giving you the ordering width.
Measure the overall height you will cover. This is the ordering length.

Drapery:
Drapery hangs from rings attached to a rod that is mounted above the window frame and extends beyond the sides of the window itself. Whenever possible, to make the entire treatment area look larger and to allow for maximum light and window views when the drapes are open, extend over the edges of your windows as much as 6-12″ per side.
When measuring for total width, measure the entire width you want to cover (which includes the extra per side allotment) and account for the fullness of the fabric. For grommet and ripple fold drapes, use width x 2.0 for your total width. For pleated drapes (pinch and tailored), take the width x 2.5.

For measuring the length:
Be sure to take into account the distance from the hardware to the fabric (determined by the size of the rings you use to hang your drapes);

Hang the drapes as high as you can to create a more dramatic look and enhance your ceiling height;

When you will be leaving them open and want to hide uneven floors or add to the custom look of your drapes, add an extra 1-3″ of length that will “break” on the floor;

When you will be opening and closing them frequently, leaving drapes approximately ½” off of the floors will protect the hems and allow for easier maneuvering.

Now that you are more fully equipped to tackle this DIY project, what types of window treatments are you leaning toward? Do you have any other ideas for cutting costs without sacrificing quality?

Author Bio:
Jay Harris is a Home Depot sales associate and contributes regularly to Home Depot’s blog, where he provides advice covering everything from roman shades to casement windows.

Isn’t that just crazy! If I had $500,000 and I found out that I spent $50,000 in a year, I would absolutely freak out! If I kept that up, then I’d really only have enough money to live for 10 years after retirement, and that’s assuming that I don’t have any major ailments or physical accidents. Living off of a large sum of money can be quite stressful, so it’s important to plan it out very carefully. Let’s review some ways that you can still earn some money on that lump sum even after you’re retired.

The Annuity

I’m sure you’ve heard of the term ‘Annuity’ before, but do you really know what it means? Since many people are accustomed to earning a paycheck at regular intervals, many retirees like to invest a lump sum of their retirement account into an annuity, which pays a certain amount of interest (usually fixed) and pays you back your money once a month for a certain period of time, and sometimes for life! The interest isn’t amazing (it’s typically 2% or so), but it’s quite safe when investing with a reputable company, and you get a nice consistent paycheck as well.

Checking Account

Many people don’t think of a checking account as a good investment, but credit unions are offering 3-4% interest on their checking accounts. For my local bank, they only require you to have a regular direct deposit (which could be your annuity), you need to make 10 transactions with your debit card, and you need to check your online account at least 4 times. That’s it! And, you can earn up to 4% on $15,000 (some credit unions may pay on a higher amount than this too), which equates to an extra $600 a year. Now that’s pretty simple.

Bonds

Bonds are typically not thought of as a great investment because they don’t yield high returns, but they are very low risk and perfect for a retiree. Now, there’s no absolute guarantee that you’ll get your initial investment back, but if you choose a high-graded bond, it’s quite certain that you’ll earn your principle back and earn a little bit of interest on top of that. Play it safe in your retirement. You’re not going to earn 20% on your investments, but since you spent the time to build up a nice nest egg, you really shouldn’t need to.

If you would get into a car accident tomorrow and injure the other driver, you are responsible for their medical bills. And, what if they have a permanent injury? They might even sue you for the damage you cause them! Without insurance, your life would be ruined because you would owe an expense that is far greater than you can afford. The same is true for homeowners insurance. If your home burned down tomorrow, would you be able to whip out your checkbook and buy another one? I absolutely doubt it!
For many of us, we are now in debt up to our eyeballs because we still owed hundreds of thousands on the house (well, the ashes of the house)!

Now that we understand that insurance is entirely necessary, let’s not pay too much for it.

Life Insurance

If you are currently debating on which type of life insurance to go with, the best possible deal is typically with term insurance. You’ll pay in a minimal amount each month (something like $15 vs. over $100 for whole life) and if you happen to pass on within the stated term, your beneficiary will be entitled to the full amount of your policy.

Car Insurance

In accordance with the law, we should all have car insurance. So, the key is to get the absolute best rate! There are companies out there that will estimate the amounts that their competitors will charge, but these aren’t always 100% accurate. Do your due diligence and call at least 4 or 5 agents in order to find the best quote. If you would like to severely reduce the rate you’re paying, the best way is to stock up your emergency fund and put minimal coverage on your car (since you can now buy another car yourself if you smash yours up). If you get into accidents every other week though, this may not be the best option for you.

Health Insurance

Many of us have health insurance through the company we work for, so while we don’t necessarily have a say in which provider we have, we do have an option between a low deductible and a high deductible. If you are hardly ever sick and don’t ever find yourself in the hospital, the high deductible is probably the best option for you. Be sure to stock up that emergency fund though, just in case that rare occurrence does happen. If you are accident prone and seem to travel to the hospital quite often, then it might be wise for you to go with the low deductible insurance.

All of these options have to do with risk. If you believe that you are a high-risk candidate for landing in the emergency room, then you’ll want to get better coverage so that you’ll pay less in the long run. To learn more about risk and the types of insurance coverage that you should choose, take your search online. Chances are that if you’re high risk, you’ll want more coverage. If you are low risk, you can go with less coverage.

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1. Have a clearly defined budget.
The best way to stick to a budget would be to have a clearly defined one, that means it needs to be written down. Know how much you want to spend on everything every month. Call it a spending plan to make it more fun. Prepare your plan for spending and then stick to it. In case you overspend on something, make up for it by cutting back elsewhere.

2. Careful with those credit cards.
Carry only one or two credit cards (or better still, none) with you and use them as sparingly as possible. Only charge those purchases you can pay off fully in the next month.

3. Utilize Rewards programs when available.
Get a card with a rewards program so that whenever you use your card you end up earning points which can be redeemed for discounts or freebies.

4. Shop during sales.
Make it a habit to shop only at sales. My goal is to never pay more than 50% of the retail price. Buy your Christmas and birthday gifts when clearance sales are going on. Target and Walmart have huge discounts on toys after Christmas, so stock up for the following Christmas and for birthdays throughout the year.

5. Buy secondhand to save money.
Put your mother’s ‘old is gold’ advice to good use. Garage sales, second hand cars, electrical equipments, cell phones etc are great as long as you manage to find them in good condition.

6. Eat the majority of your meals at home.
Eating out frequently is a huge waste of money. Not only do you pay exorbitant prices for the food, but with the taxes, tips and everything included, it does add up to quite a bit. Eat at home as much as possible, and save yourself loads of money.

7. Carpool to work or when dropping your kids off at school.
Avoid taking the car if you only have a few blocks to go. Walking or public transportation can be great alternatives.

8. Make a grocery list every time you go shopping.
It seems like such a simple thing to do, but having a written grocery list can help to keep your budget in check. Prepare your menu ahead of time and make your grocery list from that.

9. Look for deals, coupons, and specials before you buy anything.
Look for deals and promotional offers before you buy anything. Apply this principle wherever possible- right from plane tickets to when ordering pizza.

10. Avoid shopping on impulse.
Give yourself a day to think before you indulge yourself in something expensive. You may change your mind if you rationally think about whether you actually really need it.

11. DIY is a great way to save money.
Learn to do basic repairs around the house. Start a garden in your backyard. Paint the walls yourself instead of hiring someone.

12. Set reminders to pay all your bills on time.
Late fees and extra charges on your bills are unnecessary expenditure and are best avoided.

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Choosing a special graduation gift may tempt you to spend more than you normally allot for family gifts. Who wants to be the one family member who gave a cheap gift? Budgetary concerns don’t have to be an issue, however, if you take the time to choose a gift that will carry meaning for you and the graduate.

Family Heirlooms
If you’ve been saving a special family piece for an appropriate occasion, graduation just might be the right one. Examples might be a pair of earrings or a tie tack. Graduation gifts often mark the rite of passage that the graduate has just experienced by giving them a gift that shows that you recognize their personal maturity.

Household Tool Box
Since graduates are often about to set up house in their first apartments, they are certain to appreciate the thought of this gift. Think back to your first apartment and the tools that you wished you had. This tool box should include a hammer, an adjustable wrench, a couple of screwdrivers, a tape measure, and a level. Choose a container for your gift that suits the graduate. A guy might appreciate a sturdy, steel toolbox. A young lady might prefer a bright-colored plastic box.

A Gift that Reflects the Graduates Tastes
Gifts that show you know what types of things interest the graduate are always great gifts. If your graduate just got his degree in journalism, he might appreciate a copy of a famous journalist’s biography. The artist in your family will love tickets to an upcoming art exhibit. Think about the types of things the graduate talked about last time you saw him and try to correspond your gift with that topic.

Ultimately, finding an appropriate graduation gift just requires that you spend more time than money. Think about your graduate’s likes, his future plans, and your family traditions and you’re sure to find the perfect gift.

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Buying items in bulk quantities has its benefits, but it has its hazards, as well. Too often consumers are tempted by the vastness of the warehouse stores to purchase things they don’t really need or that aren’t really priced at bargain prices simply because the products are available. Getting all of the benefits of shopping in bulk quantities requires that the consumer do his homework and only make the purchases that will help him realize actual savings.

Only buy products you actually use
Sometimes when you’re shopping in a wholesale club it’s easy to become enamored with the abundance of products available at discounted prices. However, if the product goes to waste in your closet or pantry, then it wasn’t a bargain, no matter what you paid for it.

Don’t buy more than you can use before the product will spoil
Paper goods are great items to buy in bulk. They store forever (provided you have adequate space) and never go bad. You have to be a little more cautious when purchasing food stuffs, though. If you purchase fifty pounds of hamburger, but then have to throw out the last ten pounds because it spoiled, your purchase wasn’t quite as cost-effective as you hoped it would be.

Be familiar with the prices of products you use
Not everything available at a wholesale club is a bargain. If you know how your favorite products are usually priced at your local grocery store, you’ll be able to determine which products really are a good buy.

Share the wealth of your shopping proceeds
To help get your money’s worth out of your wholesale club membership, you can share your shopping bargains with friends or family. This alternative helps eliminate the worry about buying more than you can use in a short amount of time. You can share the cost of bulk items with friends or family and then split up the large, bulk purchases into smaller amounts that are more manageable for single families.

Buying product in bulk quantities can lead to a large savings for you and your family. You just need to be savvy about which things you purchase.

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With four growing children you better believe that keeping them in clothes that fit can be a bit of challenge. Seems like every time I turn around someone has outgrown something. Being the cost conscious mom that I am I’ve tried a variety of methods throughout the years to help keep our family’s clothing budget in check.

When the kids were babies it was much, much easier to find their clothes at garage sales and thrift stores. I remember the days when I’d head out on a Saturday morning, score some great clothing finds, and be back at home by noon. When those items had been outgrown, I’d resell them on eBay or have my own garage sale. Well, as the kids have gotten older, those days are gone because most weekends are chock full of sporting activities for the kids and church obligations. There is simply no time for weekend garage sales (either going to them or having one), although I still do resell the clothes on eBay. In addition, I have a hard time finding the right sizes or items the kids need and as they’ve grown up they like to pick their own clothing (especially my teenagers). To facilitate peace with the kids and our clothing budget, I’ve come up with a few solutions that keeps mostly everyone in the family happy.

For me the perfect blend of saving time and money has been online shopping. This past Christmas I purchased nearly every single clothing item for the kids online. I know their favorite stores, what brands they like, and most importantly, what size they wear in that particular brand. I let the kids shop on their favorite online sites and they picked out what they wanted by placing items into the store’s online shopping cart. Then I could go into the cart and purchase one or two items for them. They know they should start browsing in the sale and clearance areas first. I’ve signed up to get rewards and sale alerts from our favorite stores including Gymboree, Kohls, Aeropostale, Payless, and Claire’s. I definitely spend much less money (and less time) by shopping online for my kids’ wardrobes.

Since my teens are old enough now to be handling their own clothing budgets, I plan on getting them their own Visa Prepaid cards which I can load with their monthly clothing budget. They can carry the money over from one month to another if they want to save for a bigger purchase. It’s a way I can guarantee that we will stick to the clothing budget and I also feel I will be helping them to learn how to handle money and spend wisely. It’s also a way to add an additional layer of spending protection and the kids understand that when the money is gone – it’s gone. I like the idea of the Visa Prepaid versus a store gift card because I don’t want the kids to be locked in to buying from one store only and the Visa Prepaid card gives them the option to shop the sales at a variety of stores at any given time. Watch the video below to see how easy it is to activate and load a Visa Prepaid card:

I am blogging on behalf of Visa Prepaid and received compensation for my time from Visa for sharing my views in this post, but the views expressed here are solely mine, not Visa’s. Discover more at http://www.VisaPrepaid.com or view more Visa Prepaid videos at http://www.youtube.com/visaprepaid.