Gelt (Finances)

The strikes at both the American and the world economy keep coming. According to the February 2013 issue of The Week magazine, 44 percent of Americans do not have enough in their savings accounts to cover basic expenses for 90 days if financial emergencies were to occur such as one spouse losing a job, or an unexpected medical expense. Regrettably, almost 30 percent of Americans have zero savings for those unforeseen circumstances.

Before you head out the door to buy that car you’ve had your eye on, take a few steps back and ask yourself a few questions:

o How are you going to pay for that new car?

o Will you be approved for your loan?

Increasingly, 100 year-olds are making the news.
Two years ago Emma Hendrickson became the oldest person ever to compete in the U.S. Bowling Congress women's championships in Reno, Nevada.

A number of years ago I read a delightful story about a highway traffic problem in which an 18-wheeler truck became stuck under an overpass, creating quite a problem for the city transportation department. 

5 reasons buying local is a good idea...

If you are like the majority of shoppers, you are feeling the shock of higher grocery prices. You stop at your local supermarket for a couple of basic items and twenty minutes later you leave the store with a $50 receipt along with the feeling of "where did my money go?" and "what did I really spend it on?" During these summer months with ravenous hungry kids and their friends hanging around your refrigerator or invading your kitchen pantry, this could be a good time to work on cutting down your food bills. Here are some suggestions:

Benjamin Franklin is often quoted as saying, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man (or woman) healthy, wealthy and wise." With a little stretch this same quote can be applied to having a successful retirement. Being healthy is the first requirement for enjoying one's sunset years, followed by having an adequate income. And finally, the accumulation of experience and wisdom will give this final phase of your life significance, value and meaning. To encourage you to think along these lines, these three concepts are expanded below.

A great way to start living a frugal life is to plan for it. And when it comes to finances, the most important plan is a budget. Setting up a budget is possible no matter what you income, how you get paid, or what your current financial situation. Developing a budget is the first (and most crucial step) to becoming frugal. Here are some great tips on how to do it: