This kid is earning more money than you

MEET the 11-year-old who’s rolling in it, pulling in $2000 a week. Here’s how the mini mogul does it.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1kjP1QT

Dog bites girl at Bunnings after pets welcomed

OH NO! A five-year-old girl has been bitten by a dog at Bunnings, just days after the hardware chain launched its new pet-friendly policy.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1M18eQd

Latest weapon in the grocery war

COLES has fired another shot in the supermarket wars, unveiling a new “pick and pack” technology which promises to cut down delivery times.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1MtVi6L

David Gyngell quits Nine, new boss announced

NINE Entertainment has appointed a new chief executive, ending speculation over outgoing boss David Gyngell’s future.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1lecG5e

Two films that could save year of flops

SAN Andreas, Pan, Man from U.N.C.L.E — it’s been a year of box office stinkers for Warner Bros. There are just two films that could save it.

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‘What is that?’: Worst shopping centre Santa ever

MANAGEMENT’s bid not to offend shoppers backfires badly as thousands rail at ‘sterilised’ Christmas display that looks more like Star Trek.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1WKeGOf

We’re all porn stars: The online revolution

MEET the woman who is disrupting the porn industry. Could her vision of a future become a reality? WARNING: NSFW ADULT THEMES.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1Qn1E9P

100+ Awesome Discounts for Veterans and Military Members

Servicemen and women, we salute you — and so do plenty of companies who are happy to show their gratitude in the form of discounts and other offers.

In addition to Veterans Day-specific discounts (stay tuned for our post on this year’s batch), lots of companies offer year-round special savings to active-duty, reserve and retired members of the military.

For many of these discounts, you just have to ask. Most establishments will ask to see valid military ID as proof of service, however, so keep yours handy if it isn’t already.

Restaurants With Miltary Discounts

Whether you’re looking for a meal, snack or treat, these eateries will give you a break on your bill.

1. Ben & Jerry’s

Discount amount varies by location, but it’s usually around 15%.

2. Famous Dave’s BBQ

All active and retired military save 10% on Famous Dave’s authentic, pit-smoked BBQ and made-from-scratch sides. Ask your server for details.

3. Dairy Queen

Participating DQ locations offer 10% off your order.

4. Denny’s

Denny’s 10% discount is available to “first responders” — which includes active-duty military personnel.

5. Hooter’s

Discount amount varies by location, but it’s usually around 15% and is good for both active and retired service members. It might only be available on certain nights, though, so you might want to call ahead to check.

6. Golden Corral

Show your military ID and get 10% off an endless buffet dinner at Golden Corral.

7. Lone Star Steakhouse

Mondays are discount days for military members, police officers and firefighters — and the 15% off applies to your whole table!

8. Texas Roadhouse

Discount amount varies by location, but it can be as much as 20%.

9. IHOP

Show your military ID to your server and get 10% off your entire meal.

10. Panda Express

In the mood for some Asian food? Active-duty personnel can enjoy a 10% military discount at this nationwide chain.

11. Dunkin’ Donuts

In addition to sending free coffee overseas for troops, Dunkin’ offers Veterans Advantage members 10% off on online orders.

12. Burger King

Present a valid ID and ask for a manager at The Home of the Whopper and get 10% off at participating locations.

13. Hard Rock Cafe

Flash your ID and get 15 percent off.

“Go Have Fun” Discounts

Whether you’re craving a family adventure or a date night, you can enjoy a discount on your entertainment.

14. Busch Gardens / SeaWorld

The Waves of Honor program grants free one-day admission for all military service members (active, Guard and Reserve) plus up to three family members. This offer is good at a variety of SeaWorld and Busch Garden parks across the U.S.

15. AMC Theaters

Flash your military ID after 4 p.m. for a discount on movie tickets (discounts vary).

16. Carnival Cruise Lines

Whether you’re active or retired, you can get a discounted rate on any Carnival cruise line (Carnival, Princess, etc.) by submitting a copy of your discharge papers via fax, mail or email.

This offer is also available for spouses of active-duty personnel — see the Terms & Conditions page for more details.

17. Disneyland

Visit Disneyland Park and Disneyland California for $132 with Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets. Ticket must be purchased by December 18, 2015 and are good for admission through December 20, 2015.

18. LEGOLAND

Visitors to LEGOLAND California can save up to 25% off admission and receive a second day free with the basic military discount.

Or check out LEGOLAND, LEGOLAND Water Park and SEA LIFE Aquarium and save up to 37%, in addition to getting a second day free, with the Resort Hopper military discount. Both offers are good through December 31, 2015.

LEGOLAND Florida also offers free one-day admission to active-duty personnel — just show your ID at the ticket window the day of your visit. You may also be able to purchase discounted tickets in advance for friends and family by ordering through your on-base ticket office.

19. PGA Tour

As part of the Birdies for the Brave outreach and appreciation program, service members can receive complimentary or discounted tickets to select PGA tour events.

20. Major League Baseball

In addition to special military appreciation days, many MLB teams also offer discounted tickets throughout the year. Check out the full list here.

21. U.S. National Parks

Enjoy America the beautiful! Military members and their dependents are entitled to a free annual pass that grants them access to all U.S. national parks. 

22. Universal Studios

Both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Orlando offer exclusive military discounts and packages through local base ticket offices.

Travel Discounts

Planning a trip? Use your ID for deals on planes, trains and automobiles.

23. Amtrak

Active-duty military personnel and their immediate family (spouses and dependents) can get 10% off the lowest available fare on most Amtrak trains. Select “military” for each applicable passenger when using the Amtrak Fare Finder search.

In addition, uniformed service members can move to the head of any Amtrak ticket line.

24. Greyhound

Active-duty and retired military personnel and their immediate family (spouses and dependents) can get 10% off Greyhound walk-up (unrestricted) fares.

They’re also eligible to travel round-trip anywhere in the continental U.S. for a max fare of $259.

25. Hampton Inn

Active-duty servicemembers, veterans and their families can enjoy up to 15% off their stays at participating Hampton Inn hotels and resorts.

Some restrictions apply — see Terms & Conditions for full details on how to claim your discount rate.

26. U.S. Airways

U.S. Airways offers special military leave fares for active-duty personnel traveling on an excused absence or within seven days of discharge. Special rate also applies to military dependents.

27. La Quinta Inns & Suites

Active-duty and retired military personnel are eligible for the government rate for both business and personal travel.

Select “Government” rate type or use promo/corporate code “GOV” when searching for rooms on their site.

28. Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Active-duty and retired military personnel get 10% off personal stays for themselves and their spouses and families. See Terms & Conditions for specifics.

29. Hertz

Enjoy discounted rates, upgrades and complimentary membership in Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program when you rent a car with a military discount code number.

30. Norwegian Cruise Line

Save up to 10% on select cruises for yourself and your family by looking for sailings with a blue and red star icon next to them.

31. Marriott Hotels

Active-duty service members qualify for discounted room rates. Select “Government & Military” under the “Special Rates” section when booking your stay.

32. Choice Hotels

Active-duty and retired military personnel and their families get discounted one- and two-person rates.

You’re also eligible for the new Choice Privileges® Armed Services program, which enables you (and your spouse and dependents) to enroll in the Choice Privileges reward program at the “Elite Gold” level.

Banking Discounts

Yes, you can even save money on your bank accounts, loans and credit cards.

33. Loan Interest Rates

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) restricts interest rates for active-duty service members to no higher than 6%. This applies to everything from credit cards to mortgage to auto loans and protects both service members and their families for the duration of active duty.

For more information on all the benefits of the SCRA and eligibility, see here.

34.  American Express

American Express waives all fees for active-duty military personnel. This includes annual membership fees on all of their cards (including the $450 fee on AmEx Platinum) and may also include refunding late fees incurred while on active duty.

To claim these benefits, call the 1-800 number on the back of your card and ask that your account be designated as “active-duty military” in compliance with the SCRA. If the customer service rep you initially speak with isn’t familiar with the act, just ask to speak to a supervisor.

35. Chase Bank

Opening a checking or savings account at Chase? You can get their Premiere package for free — it’s normally $25 and includes a debit card, free safety deposit box and other goodies.

Just show your ID or discharge papers when you open your account.

36. Bank of America

Bank of America has specific banking solutions tailored to military customers, including checking, savings, credit cards, mortgages and loans.

37.  Capital One

To learn about Capital One’s military offerings, call up their dedicated customer service line at 1-855-CAP1MIL (227-1645).

38. Citi

Citi Salutes has a number of programs and services for military servicemembers, from the HomeRun for Heroes mortgage program to the Disabled Veterans Mortgage Relief Program.

39.  U.S. Bank

Opening an account online with U.S. Bank? All active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for their free Premiere checking and savings package — just use ID code “DD214.”

Houseware Discounts

Renovating or redecorating? We’ve got you covered.

40. Home Depot

Show your military ID at Home Depot to receive a 10% discount. Total savings are capped at $500, and this discount may not be usable in combination with other deals.

You may also be able to get a discount on online orders if you place them over the phone — call the Online Customer Care line at 1-800-430-3376 to speak to a representative.

41. Lowe’s

Active service members, veterans and their immediate family (spouses and dependents) get 10% off in-store purchases. This offer cannot be combined with other promotions.

42. Williams Sonoma

Stock your kitchen with a flat 10% discount at this chain with proof of service or valid ID.

43. Pine Oak Farm

This veteran-owned site selling “farmhouse country” style home decor offers service members a 10% discount if you use the code “militaryservice” when you check out.

Your purchase also helps support fellow veterans — $1 of every order over $25 goes towards organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project.

Clothing Discounts

Going shopping? Don’t forget your military ID, which is good for savings at these retailers.

44. American Eagle Outfitters

Show your military ID and get 10% off any purchase of jeans, T-shirts, shoes and more.

45. Banana Republic

Get 10% to 15% off clothing from this store with your ID.

46. Aeropostale

Flash your military ID and get 10% off casual apparel and accessories.

47. Eddie Bauer

Get 15% off most merchandise (some promotions excluded) with your military ID.

48. Hot Topic

A military ID gets you 10% to 20% off at this alternative retailer of clothing and accessories. (Yes, it’s still around.)

49. Under Armour

This activewear brand offers 10% off online and in-store purchases.

50. Old Navy

On the first of every month, get 10% off the latest fashions for the whole family (may vary by location; in-store only).

51. Wilson’s Leather

Get 10% off your in-store purchase of outerwear, luggage, accessories and more with a valid military ID.

52. Forever 21

Get the latest trendy clothes, accessories and shoes for young women at 10% off with your military ID.

53. Charlotte Russe

Get 10% off at this clothing retailer with your military ID.

54. Alfred Angelo Bridal

Save 15% at this bridal boutique that carries wedding gowns, bridal party gowns and more.

55. Maurice’s

Flash your military ID and get 10% off your next apparel purchase at Maurice’s.

Shoe Discounts

56. Eastbay

Get 20% off athletic footwear, apparel and sports equipment online and by phone if you have a Veterans Advantage Card.

57.  Footaction

This retailer of athletic shoes and apparel for men, women and children offers a 20% discount with military ID.

58. Foot Locker

The sportswear and footwear retailer offers 20% off with military ID.

59. Payless Shoe Store

Bring in your military ID for 10% off your next purchase at Payless.

60. Timberland Outlets

This retailer of stylish, rugged apparel offers a 15% discount with valid military ID.

61. Kid’s Foot Locker

Shop kids shoes and clothing from big-name brands and get 20% off with your military ID.

62. Finish Line

The Finish Line offers a 10% discount to all vets and active military personnel.

Discounts on Electronics

Need a new laptop or printer? Consider these retailers.

63. Dell Computers

Dell offers a 10% discount for all military members and veterans.  Be sure to also check out this page for additional specials and promotions.

64. Apple

Check out Apple’s Military/Government Purchase Program to learn more about the various special offers and discounts currently available.

65. Hewlett-Packard

HP’s discounts vary and are only available online. Register as a new user upon checkout and use company code “2727.”

66. Microsoft

Active-duty servicemembers, reserve military personnel and veterans are eligible to receive special discounts on a number of military products. Check out Microsoft’s website for more details.

67. RadioShack

The wireless and electronics retailer offers a flat 10% discount to active and retired military.

68. Rocky Mountain Tracking

Need a GPS vehicle tracking system? Get 5% off your order with this company when you use the code “USMILITARY.”

Wireless and Communications Discounts

Save a little cash on your cell phone plan.

69. Sprint

Discount varies but is usually between 10% and 18%.

Sprint will also allow you to put a “hold” on your service when you’re deployed, which will save your phone number while not incurring any fees.

70. Sprint Business

Call 1-888-788-4727 for information on how you may be eligible to receive a 15% to 20% discount.

71. AT&T Wireless

Check out military discounts on mobile and voice data services on AT&T Wireless’s website.

72. Verizon Wireless

Verizon offers numerous discounts to servicemembers and veterans as well as federal employees, including 15% off plans $34.99 or higher.

You may also be eligible for data discounts as well as 25% off accessories in some cases. Apply online, where you will need a DD Form 214 or Veteran Card.

Automotive Discounts

Whether you’re buying a car, getting an oil change or doing a little DIY maintenance, use your military ID to save a few bucks.

73. Toyota

Car shopping? Show your military ID and get $500 off your vehicle, plus an additional $500 off for first-time buyers.

74. Suzuki

Military personnel, veterans and their families get $500 off Suzuki’s motorcycles, ATVs, scooters and outboard marine motors.

75. Autozone

Get 10% off your purchase of auto parts at Autozone.

76. Auto Accessories Garage.com

Active-duty military members, veterans and their families can get 5% to 20% off auto accessories and performance parts from this site.

77. Advance Auto Parts

Get 10% off regularly priced items (in-store only).

78. Meineke

Meineke offers 10% off parts with a military ID (in-store only).

79. Midas

Get 10% off brakes, oil changes, tires and more.

80. Jiffy Lube

Jiffy Lube offers 10% off all services with a valid military ID.

Sporting Goods Discounts

Go play outside with these discounts on outdoor and sports-related gear.

81. Bass Pro Shops

Gear up for your next outdoor adventure with a 10% discount with military ID.

82. Champs Sports

Discounts vary, so be sure to bring your military ID and ask a sales associate at your local store for further details.

83. Dick’s Sporting Goods

Discounts vary, so be sure to bring your military ID and ask a sales associate at your local store for further details.

84. Play it Again Sports

Discounts vary, so be sure to bring your military ID and ask a sales associate at your local store for further details.

85. Sports Chalet

Save 10% off all of Sports Chalet’s equipment, apparel and accessories.

86. SportsMemorabilia.com

Using code “mili10” at checkout will net you a 10% discount.

Education Discounts

Save a little bit on education for yourself or your family members.

87. Tutor.com

Eligible students in U.S. military families can connect to a live tutor online at any time for studying, proofreading, homework, test prep and more.

The service is available for free to K-12 students and some adults in active-duty families.

88. Ashford University

You may be eligible for the Ashford Military Grant, which reduces tuition for all undergraduate courses to $250 per credit.

This grant also covers the sales tax, technology fees and course materials, including standard shipping costs where applicable, required for an eligible student’s program of study when purchased through the Ashford University bookstore or a textbook partner.

Engagement Rings

Planning to pop the question? Shave a little bit off the cost when you buy from these retailers.

89. Since910.COM

Ready to pop the big question? Get 5% off an engagement ring (maximum of $10,000) by providing a U.S. military email address.

90. Helzberg Diamonds

All active-duty military get a 10% discount when placing an order over the phone at 1-800-HELZBERG (435-9237).

Most store locations have the same discount, but be sure to call ahead to confirm. Proof of ID is required.

91. Zales Jewelry

Zales offers a 10% discount for active and retired military.

92. Zoara

Register on Zoara.com with a valid military ID, use code “USMILDISC” at checkout, and receive a 10% discount on fine jewelry.

93. Wedding Rings Depot

Use the code “MILITARY” at checkout and receive 10% off your purchase of wedding rings.

94. Moissanite Bridal

Moissanite Bridal offers military members a 5% discount off the purchase of an engagement ring.

95.  Larson Jewelers

Active-duty military members get a 5% discount off wedding rings and bands.

96. Dreamstone

Military members get a discount on engagement rings when they enter the code “USTROOPS” in the discount box when checking out.

Miscellaneous Discounts

Looking for a few more ways to save? Here are a couple of discounts that didn’t fit our categories.

97. Michael’s

Get a flat 10% off by showing your military ID. Discount varies from store to store, so be sure to ask a sales associate at your favorite location.

98. Maxx HD Sunglasses

All members of the armed forces, veterans and their families can get 20% off by entering the code “vet20” at checkout.

99. Mary Kay Cosmetics

Military personnel and their dependents are eligible for a 10% discount off online orders by referencing their status and service affiliation.

100. GNC

Save money on your vitamins and supplements at GNC. Discounts vary, so be sure to bring your military ID and ask a sales associate at your local store for further details.

101. Inkhouse.com

This online public relations firm offers 20% off a purchase $50 or more if you use code “Mil20.”

102. Sweet Dreams Pillow

Deployments can be tough on kids. Sweet Dreams Pillows offers a free pillow to each military child featuring a picture of their overseas mom or dad.

Parent must be on active duty and deployment must be at least three months.

Your Turn: Are you aware of any other military discounts that should be on our list? Share them in the comments!

Kelly Gurnett is a freelance blogger, writer and editor who runs the blog Cordelia Calls It Quits, where she documents her attempts to rid her life of the things that don’t matter and focus more on the things that do. Follow her on Twitter @CordeliaCallsIt.

The post 100+ Awesome Discounts for Veterans and Military Members appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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5 Simple Ways to Trick Yourself into Spending Less

This is a guest post from Alex Craig of HaveaRichMarriage.com.

Hello. I’m Alex, and I am a recovering spendaholic.

I am not ashamed to admit that. Spending money felt great, I felt stylish when I bought new clothes, I felt like James Bond when I would rent Corvettes for the day, and I felt like the world owed me something.

I knew I had a problem. I wanted to stop spending so much money, but every time I tried to stop spending or keep a budget, I would stick with it for two weeks and then go on a binge spending spree.

I had all of the motivation in the world to stop spending because my bank account was getting lower and my credit card balances were getting higher. I knew I was screwing up financially and would be in trouble soon if something did not change.

I felt powerless and like a failure, because it seems like spending less money should be easy and I should know what to do.

Six months ago everything changed for me. I woke up and started spending less money all without creating some complicated budget and focusing too hard on my spending.

In my efforts to stop spending more money I learned two things:

1. Information alone is not enough.
2. Sometimes you may need to change a different behavior in order to change the one you really want.

I am going to share with you five strategies that I used to start spending less.

You can take these strategies and apply them to your spending habits and adapt them to other habits.

I promise you, these strategies work.

They work really, really well.

Your Mind is Holding You Back

Money is like sports. It takes a little bit of skill, but it is mostly a mind game.

It takes determination, a positive attitude and a commitment to win the money game.

A lot of people think the reason many of us live paycheck to paycheck is because of a poor financial education.

True. All of us likely did not get any sort of personal finance training, but most of us know what we should be doing, but most of us do not do it. Why?

For example, all of us know we should spend less than we make if we want to save money. All of us also know we should burn more calories than we consume if we want to lose weight.

This single piece of information is more than enough to save money and lose weight. The problem is not that we don’t have enough information, the problem is our beliefs and mindsets about money.

For example, when I was spending too much money, I was buying clothes and cars that brought me status. My status was so important to me that I was willing to go broke.

It was not the fact that I did not know I should spend less or even how to spend less, it was a status and insecurity issue.

Until you find out why you are spending too much money, spending less will be like pushing a boulder up a hill – possible, but a lot of work.

Here’s how to win the money game…

Step 1: Find your Beliefs

It starts with asking yourself a series of questions that go deeper and deeper to discover the true meaning of why you are overspending your money.

The technique that works is the Five-Fold Why, which is asking yourself, “Why?” until you have discovered the deeper meaning.

To apply the technique, find an area in your spending that you feel guilty about or think you should cut back. This is the area where you know you are overspending.

If you do not feel like you are overspending in an area, then do some research to see if you are overspending or ask yourself if you need to spend $600 per month at restaurants.

Once you find the area, ask yourself, “Why?” as many times as you can until you get to the root of the spending want.

For example, when I was overspending on clothes it went something like this…

“Why am I spending so much on clothes when I have plenty in my closet?”

“Because I want to look good.”

“Why do I want to look good?”

“Because I like when people tell me I look nice.”

Now I am getting somewhere. I can see that it is no longer about spending money on clothes, but spending money because I want people to compliment me.

Once we know the true why, we can begin using it to stop our spending.

Step 2: Acknowledge and Rewrite

If we can discover the real wants behind our spending habits, then we can discover new ways to get our wants.

The first part is acknowledging what our true wants are. Do not feel guilty or ashamed about this. Guilt is a powerful de-motivator. Accept your wants and work to solve your wants in another fashion or rewrite your wants.

For example, I learned that my overspending on clothes was because I wanted to receive compliments. Armed with this knowledge I found different ways to get compliments from others and myself.

Rather than buying new clothes, I would change my hairstyle or facial hair style frequently to get compliments. People always mentioned they liked my beard or me being clean shaven.

The other thing I did is a little bit embarrassing and I thought about leaving it out, but then I felt like I would be doing you a disservice, so I am going to share something I have not told anyone before.

Every day I would look into the mirror and compliment myself. I would pick one good thing, either internal or external, and compliment myself.  I know. It seems kind of lame.

But it was one of the best things I could have done because I noticed as I felt more confident, I stopped trying to cover myself with new clothes.

This technique was a lot more effective than focusing on not spending money, because the desire to spend money decreased.

Step 3: Work on Your Spending Indirectly Through Habits

Ever notice how when one bad thing happens, more bad things happen?

Some habits work the same way. When we form a certain good habit, other habits will naturally form without any effort.

For example, if you workout, you tend to eat better. If you wake up early, you tend to be more productive. When you form a certain habit your brain will begin to redefine your identity.

If you are working out more, you will tell yourself, “I workout. I am not the type of person who eats junk food.”

Charles Duhigg refers to these habits as Keystone Habits. They are habits that, if implemented, will create a ripple effect through your entire life.

Eight months ago I was trying to form the habit of waking up early. For the past two years I had formed terrible sleeping habits which caused unproductivity and overspending.

When I finally started waking up early, my spending went down. I noticed I would tell myself, “I am not the type of person who goes out every night to spend money because I have to be to bed early.”

Instead of trying to form a new money habit, find a habit that will create a ripple effect through your life.

Find a “Keystone” Habit

To find your keystone habit, you could have more than one, you need to find a habit that is highly emotional to you. It can be a happy that you feel constant guilt about or is embarrassingly scary.

For example, I beat myself up all the time over not being able to wake up early, and I was ashamed to admit that I would sleep in until 10 a.m. or later every day.

For you, it could be working out. You might be scared to go to the gym or embarrassed.

Once you find the habit, you can begin working on the habit.

Form that Keystone Habit

I will not spend too much time talking about forming habits because Charles Duhigg does a good job of that.

I will briefly talk about the three components that go into forming any habits – cue, behavior and reward.

To form a new behavior, like waking up early, you have to implement a trigger that would tell your brain it is time to go to bed early. If the behavior was performed, then you would reward yourself with something you really like.

Here is how I formed my habit of waking up early: My internet would shut off at 9:30 p.m., which meant it was time for bed. I would fall asleep and when I woke up in the early morning I would drink hot apple cider.

Do that enough times and the habit eventually forms. If you form a keystone habit it will likely ripple through to your finances.

Step 4: Spend With Intent

This is the only strategy where you will have to put a little focus on your spending, but it should not be much.

The idea of this strategy is to cut your spending on the things you do not care about. It will not make you feel like you are cutting your spending, because you likely will not miss it.

For example, I liked spending money on clothes, but I also spent a lot of money on going out to eat. I did not care about going out to eat and did not enjoy it half the time, so in order to be able to spend some more money on clothes, I cut going out to eat.

Step 5: Cut the Expenses You Do Not Care About

Find expenses that you do not care about. It could be your insurance, your mortgage, the coffee you get before work every day or something else.

Find a way to lower that expense. This site offers plenty of solutions on how to cut your insurance or other expenses.

With the money that you save, you might be able to afford the things you love spending money on and still have money left over.

The goal is not to stop your spending, but to be intentional with your spending.

Takeaways

Sometimes information alone is not enough. The problem might be deeper than being uninformed and more of a problem with your beliefs and views.

Sometimes the best way to change a problem is to change a different problem, because it might create a ripple effect and solve your other problems.

If you find that controlling the money you spend is difficult, then these five strategies might be great for you.

Alex Craig wants to help you find your first profitable idea.  Check out is Side Hustle List here.

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The Best Retirement Account You’ve Never Heard Of

If you’ve done any research into saving for retirement, you’ve almost certainly heard of the most commonly recommended retirement accounts: The 401(k). The traditional IRA. The Roth IRA. Or if you’re self-employed, maybe you’ve looked into the SEP IRA or solo 401(k).

That’s the standard lineup. And they’re all great retirement accounts. They offer big tax breaks that make it easier to save your money efficiently and reach your long-term goals sooner.

But there’s one account that’s missing from that list. One account that almost no one ever talks about, but that can actually be the most powerful of them all if you know how to use it. One account that allows you to save your money completely tax-free.

The best retirement account you’ve never heard of is the health savings account.

How a Health Savings Account Works

A health savings account, or HSA for short, is a special type of account that offers multiple tax breaks when you contribute and use the money for medical expenses.

Here’s a quick rundown of how it works.

First, you need to be eligible to contribute to a health savings account, and the truth is that many people won’t be. You’re only allowed to contribute if you’re covered by a qualifying high-deductible health insurance plan, which primarily means that you have a deductible of at least $1,300 for an individual plan or $2,600 for a family plan (as of 2015).

If you’re eligible, you can open an HSA and start contributing And this is when the real fun starts. Because the money you contribute to a health savings account gets the benefit of a TRIPLE tax break:

1. The money you contribute is tax-deductible (just like contributions to a 401(k) or traditional IRA).
2. The money grows tax-free inside the account (just like all of the standard retirement accounts).
3. The money can be withdrawn tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses (just like a Roth IRA, but with the medical expense limitation).

The only catch is that if you withdraw the money for anything other than medical expenses, the money is usually both taxed and subject to a 10% penalty. But there’s an exception to that penalty you’ll learn about below.

So clearly a health savings account is pretty useful when it comes to handling medical expenses. But what does any of this have to do with saving for retirement?

Why an HSA Is Such a Great Retirement Account

While you can use your health savings account to handle all your medical bills, that’s usually not the best way to use it.

Here are five reasons why you should really be using it to turbocharge your retirement savings.

1. The Money Is Yours

Unlike the flexible savings account you have through work, which offers similar tax breaks for medical expenses, a health savings account is not a “use it or lose it” plan.

The money is yours, no matter what, for as long as you want to keep it in the account. You don’t have to use it for your current medical bills if you don’t want to, and the money doesn’t disappear at the end of the year if you haven’t spent it.

You can let it sit there and grow for decades, just like a regular retirement account.

2. You Can Invest It

Some health savings accounts act much like regular savings accounts. Your money is safe and sound, earning a small amount of interest. And that’s a great way to go if you plan on using the money for your current medical bills.

But if you choose the right provider, you can invest your money for the long term just like you would within a 401(k) or IRA. Which means that you have every opportunity to grow it just like you would in any other retirement account.

3. You Will Definitely Have Medical Expenses

You might be worried about the fact that you only get to withdraw money tax-free and penalty-free if you use it for medical expenses. Isn’t that a pretty big limitation?

Not really. The truth is that medical expenses almost always increase as you age, so you can feel pretty confident that you’ll have some medical bills to pay down the line, even after Medicare kicks in.

Not only that, but you can actually use your HSA funds for past medical bills, even if it’s been years since they occurred. You just need to make sure you have good records.

And even if those two options don’t work out, the worst case scenario is still pretty good…

4. Worst Case: Treat It Like a 401(k)

Let’s say that you’re super healthy and you end up with more money in your health savings account than you need to cover your medical care. What can you do?

Well, if you wait until age 65, you can start withdrawing the money penalty-free for any purpose. It will still be taxed, but all that means is that your health savings account will essentially have acted just like a 401(k) or traditional IRA — tax deductible on the way in, taxed as regular income on the way out.

Not a bad worst-case scenario.

5. TRIPLE TAX BREAK!!!

Remember, your health savings account offers a triple tax break. You can’t get that anywhere else.

With a 401(k) and traditional IRA, you get a tax break on your contributions and your growth, but your withdrawals are taxed.

With a Roth IRA, you get tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals, but no tax break on your contributions.

A health savings account is the only account that’s tax-free the whole way through. It’s money that you will literally never be taxed on if you use it right.

How to Use a Health Savings Account for Retirement

If you’re ready to start using a health savings account for retirement, here’s how to do it:

1. Check to see if you’re eligible.
2. If not, make a note to factor this into your decision the next time you’re able to switch health insurance plans.
3. If you’re eligible, find a health savings account provider that allows you to invest the money in good, low-cost index funds.
4. Open the account and set up automatic contributions. Annual contribution limits range from $3,350 to $7,750 for 2016.
5. Use a separate savings account to save ahead for medical expenses so that your HSA money is allowed to grow for the long-term.
6. Feel awesome that you know this sweet retirement savings strategy almost no one else has ever heard of.

Matt Becker is a fee-only financial planner and the founder of Mom and Dad Money, where he helps new parents take control of their money so they can take care of their families. His free book, “The New Family Financial Road Map,” guides parents through the all most important financial decisions that come with starting a family.

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Plan to toughen up booze laws

QUEENSLAND looks set to follow the lead of NSW with lock-outs and enforced closing times for bars and clubs.

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13 Black Friday Insider Tips: When, Where and How to Find the Best Deals

It’s hard to believe, but the holiday shopping season will soon be here. It’s time to get ready, because — love it or hate it — the day it officially starts is the day you’ll find the best deals.

Yup, we’re talking about Black Friday. Though almost everyone’s heard of it, few know how to make the most of it.

To help you dominate this bargain extravaganza, we enlisted the help of eight Black Friday experts who have years of experience navigating the day’s madness.

We’ve already shared their secrets for preparing for Black Friday — but what about the actual day?

Where do you find the best deals? When should you shop? How do you stay on budget?

To learn the answers to these questions (and many more!), keep reading. Here are 13 insider tips for scoring big this Black Friday.

When to Shop on Black Friday

Timing your Black Friday shopping right is crucial. Here’s when you should plan to shop.

1. Shop on Thanksgiving Instead

The bad news? Black Friday is no longer just a single day; it has crept into the weeks surrounding.

The good news? If you want to grab the best deals, you may not need to wait until the day itself.

“We actually see not only the most deals — but the best deals — on Thanksgiving,” says Benjamin K. Glaser, features editor of DealNews.

Though that may sound depressing, take heart in the fact you don’t need to leave your house to score big.

“Almost all these deals have completely migrated online… [So] using Thanksgiving as a shopping day to get the best deals is definitely a worthwhile strategy,” he explains.

2. Create a Schedule

Savvy Black Friday shoppers plan their excursions down to the hour; they don’t only know where they’re going, they know when they’re going there.

That’s because stores offer doorbusters (discounts for an extremely limited time) at different times throughout the day.

So once you’ve created your Black Friday shopping list, research the doorbusters at nearby stores to see if any match up.  

Collin Morgan, founder of deals site Hip2Save, says this is also a reason to bring a buddy with you.

“The doorbusters go so quickly,” she warns. “Split off: Maybe break the list in half… It also makes the whole experience a bit more fun.”  

Where to Shop on Black Friday

Want to find great deals? You might want to get creative and look outside the big box.

3. Shop Online

Nearly all of our experts stressed that you don’t need to fight the crowds to get great prices on Black Friday.

Most of the deals available at brick-and-mortars are now available online as well. Not only is it nice to shop from the comfort of your home, but it can also save you money (more on that below).

“Don’t go in stores unless you know you really want to and know what to expect,” says Glaser of DealNews. “Almost all Black Friday deals are available online at this point … which is going to be much more convenient and makes it easier to compare prices.”

Of course, if you shop on Black Friday for the experience, then by all means, continue to do so — but don’t feel pressured to go just for the deals.

4. Always Check for Price Matches

Spot a great deal in the local circular? Don’t rush out to grab it; you may find it online at the same price.

“If you find a deal in a local store on a top brand name, many times you’ll find that online sites will price match,” says Jenny Martin of couponing and budgeting blog Southern Savers.

“I’ll open up the Lowe’s Black Friday flyer … and then I’ll pull up Amazon and turns out they have the exact same price.”

She says Amazon is the “best at it,” so be sure to check there before hitting the stores.

5. Think Outside the Big Box

When you think of Black Friday, you probably think of what Rebecca Lehmann, content marketing manager for Brad’s Deals, calls “the big four”: Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and Toys-R-Us.

But Martin from Southern Savers suggests visiting smaller stores and looking for nontraditional items.

Drugstores top her list: “CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens all have freebies every single Black Friday — sometimes upwards of 30 items that are completely free,” she says. “They’re easy to grab and they’re things you need, like free toothbrushes and free toothpaste.”

“A lot of the smaller retailers have really gotten into the Black Friday game,” adds Dev Shapiro, spokesperson for GottaDeal.com. If you have a unique hobby or special interest, he recommends checking specialty vendors like Christian bookstores and model train shops.  

Travel is another nontraditional industry offering hefty Black Friday discounts, according to Martin.

“It’s a huge day for cruises, all-inclusive vacations, hotels, even airlines,” she says. “Don’t get yourself stuck on: ‘We’re just looking for a TV.’ Think big picture; there’s savings to be had on almost anything.”

How to Shop on Black Friday

Alright. You now know when and where to shop — but what about strategies for once you’re in the store?

We’ve got you covered.

6. Maximize Your Online Shopping With Rewards and Coupons

Another big benefit of staying home to do your Black Friday shopping? You can earn rewards and use coupon codes.

A great way to quickly compare the cash-back and travel rewards available from each site is with Cashback Monitor. To find coupon codes, we recommend the browser extension Honey, or the shopping portal Ebates.

7. Carefully Consider Cash vs. Credit

This was one point on which our experts disagreed: Some thought you should use cash only (to control your spending), while others recommended credit cards (for the additional warranty).

“When you go shopping during Black Friday, you get engulfed in all that excitement and stores make everything look like it’s the most amazing deal,” warns Morgan of Hip2Save.

“And so you’re thinking, ‘Well I don’t necessarily need this, but it’s such a great deal I’m just going to buy it,’ and then in turn you’re really wasting money — not saving money. Carry cash — then you have to stick with [your list].”

But if you’re going to purchase electronics, plastic might be the better choice.

“All four major card payment networks — Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express — offer similar extended warranties for products purchased with their cards adding up to an extra year to the warranty that came with the item,” states CreditCards.com.

Check their site for a chart detailing the warranties offered by your credit card provider.  

One solution? Use your credit card like a debit card, only spending the amount of cash you have saved up at home.

“Especially with electronics, you do want to pay for those with a credit card, because of the warranties,” explains Lehmann of Brad’s Deals. “We definitely recommend saving up cash for your holiday shopping, but when you’re actually in the store, pay with your credit card.”

But there’s an important next step: “Then, when you get home, pay the credit card off in full. Take advantage of the warranties your credit card offers. Rack up the rewards points.”

8. Wear Comfortable Clothes

If you plan to brave the crowds and shop in-store on Black Friday, make sure your wardrobe is up to the task.

“You don’t want to be wearing heels at three in the morning,” says Morgan of Hip2Save. “Wear workout clothes or something. You can’t be uncomfortable when you’re going from store-to-store and running around trying to find all these doorbuster[s].”

9. Stay Connected

Whether you’re home on the couch or out in the stores, maintaining online access is key to scoring all the latest and greatest deals.

Let the deal sites do the work for you by signing up for price alerts or downloading shopping apps.

“Put your wishlist together; we’ll let you know when those items are coming up for sale,” says Melissa Martin, spokesperson for BlackFriday.com. “You could be out shopping… and [your smartphone] alerts you immediately when that item goes on sale.”

10. Compare Prices in Real Time

Whatever you do, don’t just go to one store or website and call it a day. Use a website or app to help you track and compare prices while you’re out shopping.

“The one thing we know about the holiday is everyone’s participating, and every time you think you’ve found the best price, there’s probably a better one,” says Shelton of FatWallet.

“Don’t make impulse buys this time of the year.” (We’d add to that: Don’t make impulse buys at any time of the year!)

11. Tread Carefully

Black Friday is a huge opportunity for retailers to pad their bottom lines, because they know shoppers are quick to hop on every — and any — deal. So it’s important to do your research.

“Not everything that’s in a Black Friday ad is a great deal,” warns David Varble, manager of BFAds.net. “They definitely sneak in some so-so prices or items that were cheaper even in the off season. … Don’t trust it immediately to be great pricing.”

“Know what you’re buying,” seconds Shapiro of GottaDeal.com. “[The] computers some of these retailers offer, they intentionally don’t put enough RAM in them, and they put a smaller hard drive in them.”

He says it’s important to ask yourself: “Does it have enough processor power to do what I want? Am I going to be gaming with it, or do I just want something to get on the Internet?”

12. If You Can’t Find Something, Ask Customer Service

Can’t find an item you wanted? Don’t despair: That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gone.

“A lot of people go crazy and come to the register and then decide ‘I don’t want this item,’ so they have carts in the front of the store with all the stuff thrown back in,” explains Morgan of Hip2Save.

“I always go to customer service or I’ll ask if they have any sort of abandoned carts [with] items in them people decided not to purchase.”

13. Stick to Your List and Budget

Lastly, remember to stick to the list and budget you created. You’re bound to see deals that sound appealing, but if you didn’t need it at full price, you probably don’t need it at a discount, either.

“The biggest mistake that people make is just getting caught up in the excitement of Black Friday and buying things that they don’t need,” says Lehmann of Brad’s Deals.

One TPH bonus tip: Don’t stress if you miss a deal or completely sleep through all of the Black Friday madness.

“If you can’t get the product, be patient; there are still great deals all the way through the holiday season,” says Melissa Martin of BlackFriday.com. After all, it’s almost Cyber Monday!

“We see it time and time again, people getting in a frenzy and forgetting what it’s all about,” she explains.

Don’t let that be you. The most important thing is to remember the holiday season is about so much more than new TVs and killer bargains.  

We hope these tips help you prepare for a fun, fruitful and frugal Black Friday. Be sure to check back here at The Penny Hoarder for more Black Friday tips and deals. Happy hunting!

Your Turn: How do you prepare for Black Friday? Any insider tips we missed?

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We would have shared them with you anyway, but a true “penny hoarder” would be a fool not to take the company’s money.

Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget. Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.

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