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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Coupons; Are They Worth It?

I like bloggingawaydebt.com's post on April 28th about the show Extreme Couponing on TLC. The reality is that many coupons are there specifically to get you to buy something. The merchant or product provider knows that many people will fall prey to the "deal." You end up buying what they want you to buy. Not because you need it, but because they are giving you a deal. One of the important aspects of Living Below Our Means, is understanding exactly what it is that we need. Heading off to the store without a list or plan is stupid. Heading off with a coupon for something we don't really need is financial suicide. If you plan ahead, create a list of what you really need for the week based on the grocery adds sales flyers, you are going to typically save more than you would with a coupon. If the coupon is for something that is already on sale and something you truly need or can use that week, then it’s a bonus. Use coupons to your benefit, not the benefit of the merchant or the product provider.  Extreme Couponing…

Friday, April 29, 2011

Bank Debit and Credit Card Fees - A Sink Hole for Us All

Although we are not opposed to any business, including big banks, making a profit, maybe it is time for the American consumer to rethink the use of plastic on every transaction. With the fees being charged by card providers sucking billions out of the wallets of consumers and merchants, Cash is King certainly is a principle that can help us small folks. As the linked article below points out, some merchants would rather give merchandise such as a banana away then swipe a card for small transaction. According to Merchantseek.com a typical PIN debit card transaction costs the merchant between .35 and .55 cents. On transactions less than $10, the merchant is paying a large percentage of the total bill out in fees. Who ends up paying those fees? We do. They pass that cost on to us. So why not give the merchant a break and in turn give yourself a break. Pay with cash on small dollar transactions especially. Your merchant will appreciate it and the beneifits will be passed on to us in slower price hikes. Swiped: Banks, Merchants And Why Washington Doesn't Work For You

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Our Mission

To help each person become Money Conscious resulting in eliminating their debt, living a debt free life and empowering them to achieve financial success by virtue of the universal principles discovered by us through our own financial mistakes, victories and professional training.