FORGET Aldi. The “silent loser” in the supermarket price wars has launched it’s biggest ever competitive attack against Coles and Woolworths.
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الأحد، 21 يونيو 2015
37 ways dads can make and save more money
Fathers spend a lot of time worrying about how to make ends meet and provide for their families. Dads also have a lot of demands on their resources, and it can feel like their money is stretched the thinnest. Read on to see tips from personal finance, business and travel experts on how dads can save money, make more money and help their kids get the most out of life.
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Beyond eBay: Six Better Ways to Buy, Sell, and Trade Stuff Online
Photo: Yerdle via Facebook
Are you tired of the mountains of clutter around your home? Are you overwhelmed by your own “stuff?” Do you have so many belongings that you have to rent a storage unit to house them all?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey by the National Association for Professional Organizers, or NAPO (yes, there is such a group), 54% of Americans are overwhelmed by the amount of clutter they have. What’s more, 78% complained they had no idea what to do with all of it, which is probably why the clutter built up in the first place.
You can find evidence of this phenomenon in both affluent and low-income neighborhoods all over the U.S. – garages filled from floor to ceiling, attics overflowing, and in some cases, households with entire rooms – or even floors – dedicated to storing unused and often forgotten items.
The problem has become so big that 9% of American households rented a storage unit in 2013. That’s 10.85 million households, and a whole lot of money flushed down the drain as well.
If you’re curious how much the average family spends on storage, consider this – a fact sheet from the Self Storage Association of the United States reports that the average 10-foot-by-10-foot non-climate controlled unit cost families an average of of $118 per month last year. That’s more than $1,400 annually!
Unfortunately, these costs fall disproportionately on middle- and lower-income households. According to recent stats from the Self Storage Association, 47% of all self storage renters reported a household income below $50,000 per year, while 63% reported an annual income below $75,000.
In other words, those who are paying to house their clutter are often the ones who can least afford to do so. But, what can we do?
Online Resale Apps to the Rescue
In many cases, paying $1,400 (or more) to rent a storage unit is a poor investment. Unless it’s a temporary measure while you’re moving, or you’re storing items that are incredibly valuable or impossible to replace, the cost of renting a storage unit can quickly overshadow any savings you earn by storing those items in the first place.
Fortunately, there are a ton of new websites and apps that can help anyone unload their unused items – and make some money. Gone are the days of spending your entire Saturday in the hot, summer sun during a yard sale. These days, more and more people are turning to technology for faster, more efficient ways to reach new audiences and sell their stuff for top dollar.
That’s the whole goal of online resale sites like Shopstick.com, notes the site’s founder, Brett Keintz.
“There are a ton of different ways to sell your unwanted stuff; you really just have to figure out what your primary goals are and then find the right ones,” Keintz explains.
According to Keintz, different online sites and mobile apps are geared toward different audiences. However, if your ultimate goal is profit, you should start out with sites that don’t charge a fee first. Think Craigslist, your local neighborhood’s Facebook group, and Reddit subreddits.
“I really think anyone can and should be getting rid of things that they don’t need from their homes and their offices,” explained Keintz. “It’s just a question of how much work you’re willing to do to get rid of it and how much you’re hoping to earn from it.”
Six Sites to Help You Clear the Clutter
If you’re stressed out or overwhelmed by clutter or stuck with a storage unit of stuff you don’t really want, now is the time to turn it all into cash or something else you can use. Here are six sites that can help the garage sale-averse:
Shopstick.com
Based in San Francisco and Chicago, Shopstick.com harnesses the power of technology to help people get rid of their stuff. With Shopstick.com, customers snap a photo of their item with a cell phone and text it in with the hope of receiving an instant offer and quick pick-up.
While still in beta, Shopstick hopes to expand its reach in the future. The site also focuses on helping customers find special or unique items before they hit Craigslist.
According to Shopstick founder Brett Keintz, the goal of the app isn’t just to make money, but to help people have simpler, less stressful lives.
“The best part about getting stuff out of your house is the peace of mind it generates,” says Keintz. “It’s a bonus if I can get a little extra cash out of it, too. And so, with a few friends, I’ve been trying to help our friends, family, and other people who hear about us through word of mouth achieve the same goals for their unneeded electronics, jewelry, clothing and accessories, and even furniture.”
Gazelle.com
Gazelle started in 2007 with the goal of extending the life of unwanted and unloved electronics. The site launched a simple device trade-in service in 2008, but has since launched a store to sell certified pre-owned devices such as smartphones and tablets.
As of 2015, Gazelle.com is the leading online electronics resale store and consumer electronics trade-in site. According to Gazelle, they have handled more than 2 million consumer devices and paid out more than $200 million for unwanted electronics to date.
For sellers, Gazelle.com offers cash trade-ins, free shipping, and quick payment through Amazon.com, gift cards, or Paypal.com. While Gazelle focuses mostly on newer electronics, you might be surprised to find that there is a market for nearly any device. And as ABC News recently noted, “consumers are blown away by how much they can get… usually more than they expect.”
Yerdle.com
Yerdle, a clutter-clearing app available for iPhone and Android devices, is more about creating community than cash, trumpeting the idea of “unshopping.”
With Yerdle, customers take a picture of something they don’t want, and post it to the app. Someone interested in your item will then pay you in Yerdle Reuse Dollars, the site’s currency, and you’ll ship it to their home. You can then use your Yerdle currency to buy other used items you may need.
This makes Yerdle a closed economy — you can’t trade in your Yerdle dollars for cash. But the idea is that, over time, users can de-clutter their homes and save a lot of money by trading in things they don’t need for things they will use.
Yerdle not only helps Americans reduce waste, says co-founder Adam Werbach, it also helps connect users with free items they actually need.
“We created Yerdle with the very specific mission of reducing waste and trash,” Werbach said in a press release. “So far, we’ve helped people save over $3 million on items that weren’t being used – and that they got for free.”
thredUP.com
When you have kids – especially babies – it’s easy to become disheartened by the amount of clothing and accessories they were only able to wear a handful of times.ThredUP.com addresses this problem by creating a marketplace for gently used, high quality children’s clothing and accessories, and they will even buy your used clothes directly – and with no haggling.
According to the site, they buy defect-free, on-trend children’s clothing from popular brands such as Gap, Old Navy, Disney, Gymboree, and Mini Boden. Items with a payout under $60 will be paid for right after processing, but clothing items worth more than $60 will go into consignment and be paid out once the item sells.
In addition to kid’s clothing, thredUP also buys and sells used women’s accessories and clothing, as well as maternity wear, handbags, and shoes. Although these new categories are still gaining traction, they add yet another way for families to unload their high-quality clothing and accessories to savvy buyers. According to the site’s annual report, Americans saved approximately $62.5 million dollars over retail by shopping at thredUp.com in 2014, while earning over $4.5 million for their unused clothes.
Varagesale.com
Much like the name suggests, Varagesale.com acts as a virtual garage sale. Just enter your zip code to find already established virtual resale communities in your area – or start your own. Varagesale’s free mobile app also helps consumers buy and sell their items faster than ever before – and all within their local communities.
Since the site works in conjunction with local Facebook resale sites, you do need a Facebook account to sign up. After you join a community or start your own, you can immediately start buying or selling any items that aren’t listed as prohibited. And the best part is, the entire service, including the mobile app, is free.
Craigslist.org
As the mother of all online resale sites, Craigslist — essentially the searchable, free, online classifieds of the 21st century — effortlessly connects sellers with buyers in their local communities and neighborhoods.
Using Craigslist.org or the mobile app for iPhone, you can list nearly anything for sale and find a buyer within days – or even minutes. I’ve personally used the site to sell everything from furniture to leftover construction materials, and have never been disappointed. Best of all, Craigslist is completely free to use.
Despite its enormous reach, Craigslist is still a relatively small, nonprofit organization, and the various apps that provide access to its listings are somewhat clunky and outdated; many people instead access the site online or directly through the Web browser on their phone.
Still, between the free listings, the ability to post plenty of pictures and details, and a huge, built-in base of active buyers and sellers, it’s hard to beat Craigslist when it comes to buying and selling stuff online.
Unloading Your Unwanted Stuff Online
When it comes to our obsession with clutter, the Internet has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, the Internet has made it easier than ever for us to find buyers for our unused and unwanted items, but on the other, it has made it almost too easy for us to buy more stuff than ever before.
It’s up to us to use the Internet to fight the good fight. Fortunately, both buyers and sellers who use online resale sites are doing something good for their finances – and for the planet. On the buying end, consumers who use these apps are doing their part to keep usable items out of our landfills and to curb overproduction. Meanwhile, on the selling end, many are improving their finances and their lives by getting rid of clutter and earning money in the process.
But that doesn’t mean this process is always seamless or without risk. According to Keintz, anyone who wants to sell their items online should proceed with caution.
“People should always read the fine print for each resale app, as each of them has slightly different policies,” notes Keintz. “You’ll want to make sure you understand how much you’ll be paid, how quickly you’ll be paid, and what the return policy will be. Most are pretty protective of their buyers, including offering buyers a window of time to return the item regardless of cause.”
As a result, explains Keintz, you should always post plenty of pictures and over-describe your item. That way, you can prevent any confusion surrounding the quality or condition of your item ahead of time. “The last thing you want is for a buyer to feel that the item they received wasn’t correctly described,” notes Keintz.
Still, all risk aside, it makes sense to earn some money for your unwanted stuff – especially if you’re paying for a storage unit to house it. Just imagine what you could do with an extra $100, $500, or $1,400. With the right website or mobile app, you might be able to raise more money than you realized – and in less time than you think.
What’s your favorite app or website for selling stuff online?
The post Beyond eBay: Six Better Ways to Buy, Sell, and Trade Stuff Online appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
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4 Money Lessons Dads Can Teach Their Kids
Hey, hey. From the title of this post you probably thought you were getting another Jeff Rose classic.
But, nope, sorry to disappoint. It’s the wife.
Hi y’all. I’m Mandy.
Yes, I highjacked the husband’s blog today in honor of Father’s Day.
He’s taken over my blog on more than one occasion, but I must say, I was a little intimidated to take over the infamous Good Financial Cents. Which is why I though it was only appropriate for me to at least offer you some financial advice in the process. Ha!
If you came looking for financial tips, BOOM. I got you covered.
But I also wanted the opportunity to tell you more about the man behind the money posts. Because this man? Is way more than just a finance guru.
He’s more than just a provider for our family or a disciplinarian to our children.
He’s an amazing husband and father.
He’s a lover of Jesus with a heart of gold.
He would give the shirt off his back for any of you who needed it and he always strives to learn more, help more, pray more and love more deeply.
If you’re still looking for the money lessons part… be patient. I’ll get to that.
First I wanted to share this sweet video that our boys made for him. They absolutely adore their dad and I think that shines through when you watch them talk about him.
Without further ado, here are our three wild boys talking about “all things daddy”…
Now, to the less important news of the day.
The Money Lessons.
I’m feeling like I have an unfair advantage here with Jeff as my partner in life because he is so smart about money. In today’s society it feels like kids are being taught less and less about the importance of money.
But in our household, he preaches money lessons every chance he can get.
He tends to break down learning about money into four categories: Work, spend, save and give.
Here are 4 Money Lessons Jeff Teaches Our Kids:
1. Chores make the perfect “first” job.
This one is all about WORK.
It’s vital to teach your kids that money is nothing like peaches. It doesn’t grow on trees. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Enlist your kids to help around the house. Whether it be emptying the dishwasher, making their bed, brushing their teeth, cleaning up their toys, taking out the trash… teach them that if they complete the duties they are assigned, they will earn a commission.
Not an allowance. A commission.
Stop giving your kids money for just being and teach them that if they want money to buy things? They must earn it.
2. Teach them that the ice cream truck ain’t free.
This lesson is on how to SPEND.
Here’s your chance to teach them about priorities. Have you ever given your kid $10 only to realize that they immediately spent it without even thinking? This happens over and over and over again with kids (and adults) and it’s why so many people can never “get ahead”, as they say.
You can’t get ahead when you don’t understand spending.
The ice cream truck visits our house every Saturday afternoon about 3:00 pm. Our kids can hear that thing from miles away. I cringe because I know we are about to pay five times the price for ice cream that I technically already have in my freezer.
So, Jeff started teaching them that if they want ice cream from the ice cream truck, they will need to spend their own money. Yes, money that they earned.
But he also uses this as a chance to teach them that when they blow their money on overpriced ice cream, there will be no chance to save for that new bike or Xbox game that they’ve been wanting.
3. Buy them their own piggy bank.
Let’s move on to SAVE.
It might seem boring to kids, but spend lots of time teaching them the importance of saving. If your child heads off to college with little knowledge of what it means to save? They will be in a world of hurt and worse yet, a world of debt that will ruin them.
Have them put their commission in a piggy bank. Better yet, make sure it’s a clear piggy bank so they can see their money growing.
4. Show them how to bless others.
My favorite lesson of all, how to GIVE.
Jeff does this one well when he teaches them about tithing.
He doesn’t just give them a few $1 bills in the church parking lot before we head into service, he makes them use their own money to tithe.
Trust me, the impact of making them give their own money is so valuable.
These are just a few things that my husband does to teach our children about money.
The best thing you can do is be open to talking to your children about money and talk about it often. Be there to answer any questions they have and help guide them along the way.
Money 101 isn’t offered as a college course so we MUST, as parents, be dedicated to teaching our children the importance of working, spending, saving and giving.
Use every moment you can as a teachable money lesson and your kids will grow up to be money experts!
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, especially to my wonderful husband who teaches our family not just about working, spending, saving and giving, but how to prioritize things in our lives so that we live with more joy!
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5 Tips for Spending Money on Family Happiness
Money isn't everything, but it can buy smiles and memories.
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How Couponing Derailed One Mom’s Eating Habits — and What She Did About It
Couponing is a great idea, right? It’s a fantastic way to save money on groceries and other purchases, plus try new products at a discount. Unfortunately, when I was at my couponing peak, I discovered a dark side to clipping coupons.
I was going about my business, using coupons to save my family money… and then I realized my jeans were tighter than they used to be. I also noticed that I felt a bit more lethargic and bloated than I normally did.
I started trying to figure out what was different. Was I exercising less? Was I not sleeping as well? It didn’t take long to zero in on my eating habits. They had changed, and that change was due to couponing.
Here’s how using coupons affected my health and eating habits — and how I adjusted my couponing strategy.
I Tried to Save Money at All Costs
I was totally focused on getting the best deals. As a result, I would buy foods I didn’t need, simply because I had a coupon.
Not only was this a bad idea in terms of managing my weight and health, but also my wallet. You shouldn’t buy things you don’t need just because they’re on sale. Paying $0 is better than saving $1 when you buy something unnecessary.
I Cleaned My Plate
I hate wasting food. It feels like throwing money away, because that’s basically what it is. Why don’t I just throw $20 bills down the garbage disposal?
And all that food I was buying just because I had a coupon, I would end up overeating in an attempt not to waste food.
I Made Poor Food Choices
A lot of times, the coupons I had were for high-calorie or processed foods. In addition, since I didn’t have coupons for them, I bought far fewer healthier items, like fruits and vegetables. I based too many of my food choices on my coupon selection, rather than buying what I really wanted and needed.
Does the possibility of weight gain and health consequences mean you have to give up couponing? Certainly not. I didn’t. You just need to be aware of the “dark side” of couponing and adjust your strategy to ensure you protect the health of your family. Here are a few tips that help me stay on track:
Make a List and Stick to It
Make a list of items you need from the grocery store. To avoid forgetting something, start this list early in the week and keep it on the fridge so you can add to it as you go.
Also take some time to make a meal plan for the upcoming week before you go to the store. Add items you’ll need for those meals to your list.
At this point, you should have a complete list of items you’ll purchase from the store. Then, and only then, start looking for coupons — and only focus on coupons for items on your list. If you see an awesome coupon for something you don’t need, ignore it!
Know When a Deal is Really a Deal
Sometimes, even with a coupon, a deal isn’t as great as it appears at first glance. Avoid falling prey to marketing tactics by knowing the “normal” price of items you buy on a regular basis. You can keep track of these prices on a piece of paper or in your smartphone.
If you determine something is a great deal, stock up and avoid paying higher prices later. If you determine a deal isn’t so hot, you can purchase the minimum needed to get by in hopes that prices will be lower next week.
Get Creative When Looking for Coupons
If you want to find coupons for healthier items, you’re probably going to need to get creative. For example, embrace mobile and digital coupons. A few of my favorite apps are:
If you’d prefer to stick to organic foods, you’re not out of luck. You can still find coupons on manufacturer’s websites, coupon websites and in your grocery store’s circular.
Finding deals is important, but it isn’t worth sacrificing your health. Instead of letting coupons dictate your shopping strategy, know what you want to buy — and then find the coupons to help you save money on those items.
Your Turn: Have you ever struggled to balance couponing with healthy eating? Share your strategies in the comments!
Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell addiction around here. The affiliate links in this post help us order off the dollar menu. Thanks for your support!
Kelli Bhattacharjee, the owner of FreebieFindingMom.com, is a former investment professional with nearly ten years of experience. After graduating at the top of her class in finance, she decided to pursue her passion of empowering others to better manage their money via her savvy financial blog.
The post How Couponing Derailed One Mom’s Eating Habits — and What She Did About It appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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