Budgeting and interior decorating tips

In these tough economic times, it's hard to justify spending a lot of money on something like home decorating. Fortunately, you really don't have to. There are many different ways to spruce up a room without breaking the budget. From painting to furniture to simple accents, frugal fix ups are quite easy to achieve. And anybody can do it with our decorating ideas on a budget.

Interior Decorating on a Budget

A fresh coat of paint will brighten a room immediately and packs the most bang for your buck. If painting an entire room seems daunting, try creating an accent wall. In addition to an interesting color, you can try an inexpensive treatment to make the wall look like plaster, wood, or even leather. Many of the larger home improvement chains offer step by step instruction pamphlets on how to do faux finishes, along with numerous 'idea' guides. Try stripes or a sponge technique. The possibilities and color palette are endless.

Speaking of walls, it's time to give the refrigerator a break from art gallery duty. Try taking one or two of your child's masterpieces and giving them a new home. Find a nice frame with a mat (thrift stores are an excellent source for these), or create your own mat using poster board. You can paint it, stencil it or have your little ones decorate it. Then frame and hang your child's artwork. Your little one will beam when he sees his art on display.

Try devoting an entire wall to photographs and make sure it is in a high traffic area. Use photos of family, friends, pets, or vacations--anything goes. Purchase used frames from yard sales or flea markets. You can even find decent frames at dollar stores. You'll be amazed at how many people will enjoy sharing your history.

Decorating on a budget is not always easy, but a little can go a long way. Another great wall art idea is taking greeting cards and framing them. Many will fit in a standard 5X7 frame.

Many of the things you already have can be spruced up to look brand new. I'm a huge fan of taking something old and making it fresh. That scratched up end table can look fresh with a bit of sandpaper, elbow grease and varnish. Or paint it bright yellow to wake up a tired room.

Take an old lamp shade (not the corrugated kind) and paint it. Paint flowers or horses or landscapes or dolphins . . . anything that inspires you. If you're not good at painting, let your kids do hand prints on it, then date it, or cover it in inexpensive cotton fabric--even an old shirt.

One of the most important things is to make sure your home reflects you and your family. There shouldn't be a room in the home that doesn't have a little piece of each family member in it. From a daughter's first pair of cowboy boots donning a shelf in a western bathroom, to a grandchild's interpretation of tulips framed above a kitchen table, virtually any object can be used as a point of interest. Best of all, personal mementos like these have far more meaning that nick knacks purchased in a home decorating store.

The possibilities are truly endless. Home decorating ideas on a budget may seem difficult at first, but remember a few simple rules and you'll do just fine: Use your imagination, make sure your home reflects you and yours, and most important, have fun!

New car buying tips under budgeting

There's nothing quite like the smell of a brand new car or the thrill of being the first to drive your new ride. But that sense of novelty could be costing you big-time. New cars lose value the second you drive them off the dealer's lot. In essence, that new-car smell is costing you anywhere from $1000 to $2000. A car's value will depreciate another 30% after three years. Buying an almost new car is a great way to avoid these decreases in value. So save yourself big bucks by looking for the best buys in gently used automobiles. Though only a few years old, many gently-used cars will cost you much less than their new counterparts, and you'll probably never be able to tell the difference.

Key Considerations: Mileage and Wear and Tear

Of course, if you're going to buy a used car, you'll need to do your homework. Newer models may be improvements on older models, or they may just contain new problems. Make no mistake about it: There can definitely be problems with used cars or issues with how (or how much) the previous owner drove. Higher mileage isn't always bad. If the car has been well-maintained and isn't suffering from too much wear and tear, high mileage usually isn't a problem. However, if you notice other problems with the car, you may want to move on. Similarly, low mileage is no guarantee that the car is just like new.

Whether you're shopping at a dealership or buying from a private owner, when buying an almost-new car, use this used car checklist to discover for yourself how good a deal you're really getting.

Think about your needs. How much do you drive? Do you want the best gas mileage possible, or are you willing to sacrifice it for style or space?  How much room do you need? How much can you afford to pay? These are the things you should consider before anything else, so that you know exactly what you're looking for in a vehicle.
Do your research. Narrow your search down to two or three models that fit your needs and your budget. Before you head into a dealership, know what you're looking for. Check consumer reports and websites and get recommendations from friends.
Check the car's history. Sure, that shiny red Corvette may look gorgeous now—but what if it's been in a bad accident? What if the transmission has always been a problem? These are things you need to know in order to make an informed decision.
Test drive. See for yourself what the car feels like. After all, you're going to be riding in it for years to come, so if you just can't deal with the placement of the gear shift, or if something seems to rattle, that could seriously get on your nerves.
Get the car checked out by a mechanic. The seller may be withholding certain details from you about the car, so make sure you take it to a mechanic you trust so you can get the real story. He or she will be able to fill you in on any problems with the car, so that you know exactly what you're getting into. Something that may sound like the best buy in a gently-used automobile may actually be a scam.
Buying an almost-new car is a great way to save money, but buyer beware! You'll have to do your homework and be willing to put in some legwork to make sure you end up with the best buy in a gently-used automobile instead of a lemon. Know what you're looking for, be aware of the car's mileage and wear and tear, and always have someone you trust take a look at it.

What are the top selling family cars?

Believe it or not, the most popular of mainstream family cars is the Toyota Corolla! It is one of the longest family cars in production with over forty years of design. As of September 2009, it has won numerous consumer reports in safety, performance, and value. Here are more top-selling family cars, trucks, and vans.

Best Family Cars

The Ford F Series is number two on the list of best family vehicles. For twenty-three years, the F series is the top selling auto in America. While a truck isn't traditionally considered a family car, the advent of extended cabs has made them popular with blue collar working families that need the utility of a pick up. The F series gets top marks for safety, and those with rear seats easily accommodate car seats and boosters.

If you have a small family, a fun compact family car is the Volkswagen Beetle. Beetles have sixty years of production designs. They are cute and fun to drive, not to mention economical. Though quite small, a Beetle can still accommodate a family of 4 with young children. Volkswagen has won a lot of awards throughout the years and designs vehicles with tough safety features.

In America, the most popular family size car is a sedan. The Ford Taurus and the Honda Accord fit this bill. You can haul the kids, their stuff, and even the family dog. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a top sedan car with a lot of safety features and plenty of room for the family. The company has also won a lot of awards. They fit the most people in a car along with one of the best front seats available.

Modern, stylish families are favoring the Ford Fusion. This car gives the Corolla a run for its money. Not only is the Fusion fun to drive, it feels safe and handles well when hitting curves at high speeds. For many, the best feature of the Fusion is its fuel economy. The Fusion line is now bumped up to 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Ford has revamped the Fusion line and now includes a backup camera, Sirius travel link, weather info, and places for all your electronic stuff. It also has one of the largest trunk spaces in the mid size car line.

Another mainstream family car is the Toyota Camry LE. You do not feel any loss of control going around sharp bends and curves. It simply hugs the road like it should, giving you peace of mind for your family. Gas mileage is great, running around 22mpg in the city and about 30 mpg on the highway.

Bigger families will appreciate family friendly mini vans like the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. Both these models get top marks for safety, fuel economy, and reliability. Mom-friendly touches like automatic doors, flat folding seats, child-view mirrors and built in window shades make these rides perfect for families on the go. Both vans have plenty of cargo room in addition to comfy seats. Although these vans come at a higher price point than some of their competitors, their solid performance and award-winning safety features make them the top choices year after year.

Buying a Used Car

So you want to know why you should by a used car?  While there are plenty of benefits of buying a used car, the fact that you can get into a much higher class of motor vehicle than you would otherwise be able to afford is probably the most important. You can often pickup a champagne car on a beer budget. This is especially true if you know what types of things are important for you and what to look for in the vehicle that you want to buy.

Getting More Car for your Investment

Most folks would love a BMW sitting in the driveway (or a Corvette or a Lexus). However there are a lot of people that simply don't have the down payment needed to pick up a luxury car from a dealer. The trick is not to worry about new but judiciously look into the used market. This is where the benefits of buying a used car show the most promise. You can often afford a fully-loaded, well kept used vehicle that is a few years old for the same or less than a low to mid-level new car. Plus, you don't have to endure the depreciation that you face the minute the new car drives off the lot. You need to ascertain your needs before you go shopping.

If you are into the luxury market, you can quite often find what they call a cream puff out there. The benefits of buying a used car of this type are obvious. First, the depreciation has already happened for the most part with the initial buyer. These types of owners tend to keep up on maintaining the vehicles because it is often included in the price of the vehicle. If you don’t want an upper end car but still need some reliable transportation, chances are you can not even afford a new car payment. You're more likely to find a good deal by buying from an individual than on a used car lot.

An individual selling his car should tell you what is good and bad about the car from experience. Since you are usually finding the cars in people's front yards, they also know that you can come back to them if there is a problem, so they tend to be a little more honest. No matter where you decide on purchasing your used vehicle, make sure that you have it inspected by a mechanic that you trust and get a car report, such as Car Fax to alert you of any possible issues.

The best benefits of buying a used car are spending less money, getting more of a vehicle for the price, and avoiding the loss through depreciation. The vehicle will be broken in, and any of the initial bugs should be worked out of it. If you judiciously do your research, you can often get a more car for far less money.

The Mommy Cars for Moms

The best Mom cars need to meet certain important qualifications before they are worthy of being officially dubbed, "Mom's Taxi."  Usually, Mom is expected to drive the kids to their doctor appointments, daycare, school, play dates, sports activities, friend's homes, the mall, the movies, and everywhere else kids need (or want) to go. Moms need a vehicle that can perform well while running errands. Grocery shopping, trips to the vet, and more are often found on Mom's "to do" list, so she needs a car that us tough, reliable, easy to drive, and economical to own.
The Best Cars for Moms

There are a number of things to consider when looking for the best new car for Mom.  The best cars for Moms will provide plenty of storage and cargo space, easy entry and exit ability, car seat convenience, leg room (for bigger kids and teens), entertainment options, and, most importantly, reliability and safety features. Fuel consumption is another important factor for many families in today's economy. Most of the new family cars are designed with these features and criteria in mind.

Convenience is a requirement for family cars.  Having a vehicle with ample space and accessibility for maneuvering, when entering, exiting, loading, and unloading are conveniences that will come in handy. There is nothing more frustrating than struggling to load car seats, strollers, gear and tired kids into the car while getting soaked in a rainstorm. Kid-friendly cars feature toy storage, accessible cup holders and trays, entertainment options, easy to use seat belts, and plenty of room for siblings. Flexible seating options are also a must. Look for sliding or foldable seating with multiple configurations.  Automatic or remote doors, hatches, and ignitions are handy too. A couple of other conveniences to consider are the upholstery and carpeting. Every mom knows that kids can be messy and accidents happen. Selecting an interior that is easy to clean and hides stains is a good idea.

The Honda Odyssey, Ford Flex, Chevy Traverse, Chevy Suburban, and Toyota Sienna are a few of the highest rated, larger vehicles for families. The Ford Fusion (Hybrid or standard), Honda Insight (Hybrid), Mazda 5, and Honda Accord are among the top rated family sedans. Other contenders for the best mom cars include the Chevy Equinox Crossover and the Honda CR-V.  Prices for these terrific family vehicles start around $18,800 and top out around $36,000 for this year's models.

Tips for foreign car buyers

The benefits of foreign cars differ from model to model simply because of how the automobile is manufactured and, more importantly, where it is manufactured. Depending on who you talk to, foreign cars are not considered to be as well made today compared to the vehicles of the 1980's. When you decide to buy a car, you should do some research and buy a car relevant to your needs and not one based on hype.

Should I Buy?

The decision to buy a foreign car or not will depend on many factors. In today's car industry, you should ask yourself, "What is my new vehicle going to be used for?" This is a great way to decide on a vehicle for your desired use. For example, if you need to haul a lot of things you may want to consider buying a truck of some kind or a vehicle that is capable of pulling a trailer so that you can haul items with ease. One benefit of buying a foreign car is the fact that some of these vehicles are priced lower than some American vehicles; this may make a foreign car more appealing to budget conscious consumers.

A good amount of so-called foreign cars are made in the USA. Nowadays, most foreign vehicle assembly plants are in the southeastern United States. The reason why these plants are located in this location is because the cost of labor in this region is lower than in other parts of the USA. This makes the production cost less and in short, makes the retail price lower for the individual buying the vehicle. One reason why foreign cars are often priced lower than American vehicles is because foreign vehicle manufacturers do not have to pay pensions for retired workers. Also, many states in the United States will offer these companies a tax cut just to get the business (and the resulting jobs in their state).

Foreign Cars: Good for the Wallet, but Are They Good for the Country?

Many people say that one of the best benefits of foreign cars is the price, but what does a buying a foreign car cost the country? American vehicle manufacturers have pension plans for their retired workers while foreign manufactures do not. In addition to that, the materials for foreign cars are bought from out of the country and very little money from the American vehicle buyer goes back into the country. Unlike with many other imports, most of the money resulting from the purchase of a foreign car leaves the American economy.

American-made cars and trucks are manufactured from steel made in the USA, and this makes more jobs for Americans. Foreign manufacturers buy most all of their materials from their home country when possible. While some American-made cars are less fuel efficient and reliable than their foreign counterparts, the US automobile industry is rapidly closing that gap as those factors become more important to American consumers. In the end, while there may be some benefits to purchasing a foreign car, doing so will ultimately hurt the American economy.

Finding Entertainment Centers Under-Budget

When it comes to organizing your lounge or living room, you should think about using entertainment center storage models to keep your knick knacks and such tidy and orderly. Entertainment centers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. Nowadays, it seems that every room in the house has numerous electronics and other gadgets strewn everywhere, but at least in the living room you can comprise a simple solution using entertainment centers for storage.

Centers With Space for CD’s, DVD’s, Records, VCR Tapes and More!

Entertainment center storage models are specifically designed to allow for storing every type of media from VHS tapes to Blu-ray disks. Many of these entertainment centers for storage offer a variety of ways to store things. Popular features include the storage of media in racks made specifically to hold a certain item like video tapes or DVD cases. When not in use, some allow you to thumb through the cases when looking for one to watch.

If you have children, you certainly need to look into entertainment center storage as a way of keeping things organized because everyone knows that kids have a definite way of making a mess and/or losing items like DVD's, CD’s and video game disks and cartridges. These types of luxury items can cost quite a bit of money, especially when it comes to video games and their consoles. Some games cost as much as $60 or even $75--sometimes even more depending on the game and the console.

No one wants to sacrifice a game because there is nowhere for the clutter to go. Using entertainment center storage is a way to avoid such a loss. Game consoles also come with loads of tangling, messy cords and controllers that always seem to be in the way. Finding an entertainment center for storage will open up valuable space in your living or family room. This means that a few minutes of going over some responsibilities with the kids about putting such items back into the entertainment center storage compartments will be all that you need to do to begin enjoying a clutter-free living room.

Budget Entertainment Centers

With price tags that often soar over $1000, a new entertainment center may seem out of your budget. Fortunately, there are a lot of budget entertainment center options for those who are willing to do a little research and apply some elbow grease. Look into some of the following options for cheap entertainment organization.

Assemble it Yourself: You can often find expensive-looking entertainment centers at a fraction of the cost of ready-made models if you are willing to assemble to unit yourself. Some furniture stores like Ikea and Furniture in a Box specialize in these types of units.
Yard and Estate Sales: Early birds may just find the proverbial worm by looking for entertainment center storage at yard sales and estate sales. Check your local paper for listings of nearby upcoming sales. Many ads will specify whether or not they will be offering large furniture.
Classified Ads: Many local papers and radio stations offer free Internet classified ads. Find some in your community and keep an eye out for entertainment centers. You'll need to act fast to snap up a good deal since these ads often score hundreds of hits within minutes of being posted.
Modify Existing Furniture: If you or someone you know if handy, you can take an existing piece of furniture like a bookshelf, coffee table or an armoire and modify it into an entertainment center. Oftentimes, all that is requires is a hole in the back of the unit for electrical cords and some baskets for storage.

Best Interest Rates On-Line

Investing today is anything but straightforward. While having options is a wonderful thing, there comes a point where they can become overwhelming. Finding out ways to get the best interest rate savings possible can feel like a very daunting task. It doesn't have to be. Knowing exactly what sort of investment product to look for is half the work. Once you've decided on what product to use, you can start comparing on-line interest rates.

On-Line Banking Savings

No matter if the product is a savings account or money market account, the goal is to get the most interest income possible from the money deposited. There are currently many banks that offer their services entirely on-line. The interest rates that they offer are generally slightly better than what is offered by brick and mortar banks. There are also many banks that offer incentives to customers to conduct all of their business on-line. If that doesn't make sense immediately, think about how that offer is made in the first place. When a person opens a savings account by walking into a bank and taking care of the transaction face-to-face with another person, there are significant costs involved. That bank employee must be paid, and there are also the operating costs of the building to consider. All that adds to the cost of the transaction. Banks will naturally recoup those costs in the interest rate savings that they offer. With on-line transactions, the amount of overhead incurred is minimal, therefore the earnings potential from something such as an on-line money market account is greater than it would be by walking into a bank or credit union.

Often times, the most common mistake made is that people will look no further than their primary banking center. In the event that the institution is a credit union, they may not be too far off the mark. Traditionally, credit unions are known to offer better rates than banks. This is because each account holder is a shareholder, so to speak, and so any profits come right back to the members. A bank, by contrast, exists to make profit from those that hold accounts with them. The rates found in many credit unions are on par with what can be found with on-line banking.

If you want to stick with a single banking institution, be sure to shop around first and ask to see if your current bank is willing to match other rates or offers that are found elsewhere. It is possible that with an established business relationship they may be willing to match offers in order to retain a customer. Check also to see if it's possible to conduct business on-line in order to get the better rates and around the clock service options.

Looking for interest rate savings does not have to be an all-consuming, overwhelming job. Just by narrowing down the options by way of knowing exactly what product to look for can be very helpful. After that, do some searching to find the best interest rates possible. If sticking with a single banking institution or credit union is preferred, then see first if they are willing to match the best rates that are found. Interest income from savings is very important. Do not take just what the bank manager offers; do some homework first.

Dreaming to buy a house or buying a dreamy house

It may seem like the real estate market is stabilizing, and it may feel like everywhere you look someone is buying a home for a steal. There are "for sale" signs in almost every neighborhood across America, making it seem like a perfect buyer's market. But how do you know if this is theright time to buy a home? Buying a home is the biggest purchase most of us will ever make. How do you know if it is time to buy or if it would be better to put off buying a house?

When is a Good Time to Purchase a Home?

There is so much to consider when it comes to deciding the perfect time to buy a home. Here are three questions to ask yourself to help you decide if it is a good time for you to purchase a home or if you should put off buying a house for a while.

Do You Have a Stable Job?

In determining if you are ready to buy a house, a stable job is important for the obvious reason of having steady and reliable income. Clearly, if you are in an unstable situation in terms of your income, then you may need to put off buying a house. Getting a mortgage isn't the same as signing a six month or a year long lease. If your job or income were to change and you could no longer afford rent, you may have to pay a penalty and hurt your credit, but it would not be nearly as bad as the hit your credit would take if you were to default on a mortgage. Just as important as income is knowing that you are going to be sticking around for a while. Do you have the possibility of being transferred any time soon? Are you unhappy in your job and think you may start looking for a new position? Is your company in the midst of a round of layoffs? If you purchase a home based on your current income and job location, you may end up in a tough situation if you find yourself in a new job that pays less or that would make your commute brutal or impossible. When deciding if it's the right time for you to buy a house, it is important to know you are committed to living in it for a while.

How Much Money Do You Have Saved?

Many first-time home buyers finance their home purchase with a low down payment (as low as 3-5% in some cases) and an FHA loan. 100% loans are no longer available and even if they were, it probably wouldn't be the best option. You need more than your down payment saved up in order to responsibly enter into a new mortgage. Most significantly, closing costs (miscellaneous sale and loan processing fees) which typically run between 2% and 3% of the cost of home are due at closing. While closing costs may sometimes be taken care of in part or whole by the seller, hidden costs may still come up. There are also the costs of inspections and moving to be considered. If your down payment is going to wipe out your savings and take away any cushion you have for unexpected events, then you may want to put of buying a home.

How Is Your Credit?

If your credit is not in good shape, it will be difficult to be approved for a mortgage even if you have a substantial down payment. Mortgage lenders are just not willing to take a risk and approve a loan to someone with less than desirable credit. Generally speaking, if your credit score is below 620, the chances of your getting a mortgage are not very good. Even if you are approved for a home loan with less than good credit, it may not be at a very desirable interest rate.

Purchasing a home is a big decision and each situation is different. These three questions are a good starting point for you to consider whether it's the right time to buy a home.

Tips to take your family out to eat

Getting the Best Price for the Family That Eats Out Often

With a tricky economic climate, families everywhere are cutting back on extras and non essentials. They are either doing less, or they are doing as much while finding ways to spend less. Dine out savings are there to be had; it just takes a little bit of creativity combined with asking plenty of questions.

Tips and Tricks for Taking the Whole Family Out to Eat

There are some families that really enjoy an evening out, at least once a week. It is their cherished time together when no one is worrying about cleaning off the table or getting the leftovers in the refrigerator. When budgets become tighter, that evening out often seems to be put in jeopardy. Saving the family evening out means being able to find ways to save on family entertainment.

One step in the right direction is to find out if there are any customer frequency cards available at favorite restaurants. These little cards can be annoying when they pile up in a purse or wallet, but they really can provide some good savings after a while. You can save yourself the cost of an entree in a casual restaurant simply by having a card stamped each time money is spent there. When there are younger children in the family, the family evening out may mean looking for places where kids meals are offered free with the purchase of a regularly priced adult meal. This can drastically reduce the cost of dining out. It should be noted, however, that the tips left for the server should be figured based on what the bill would have been. Remember, just because the meals were free doesn't mean that server did any less work.

A bit more creativity is needed for other sorts of discounts. By looking online, it is possible to purchase gift cards for restaurants at a significant discount. There are several online auction sites on which members can bid on unused cards and get them at quite a bargain. The discounts can anywhere from 25% to 80% of the actual value of the certificate. Imagine the possibility of paying ten dollars for a fifty-dollar gift card. To stretch that money even further, use the card on family night with a frequency card or a coupon, and soon the evening out in a nice restaurant is a prime example of eating out savings.

It's easier than ever to save on family entertainment. Many establishments realize with families pinching every penny possible that special coupons and discounts need to be offered in order to keep business up and going. The number of sources that people have to get dine out savings is quite astounding. There are the restaurants, the Internet and local radio and television stations that often give dinners and gift cards away on their websites. Checking around a little bit, keeping an eye out for deals and doing a little research will make it possible for a family to eat out without breaking the bank.

Home Ownership Benefits

Home ownership has long been considered part of the American Dream. It's something most people aspire to without necessarily even weighing the pros and the cons of owning a home. The perceived benefit of pride of ownership is sometimes seen as one of the most important benefits of owning a home, but when it comes to home ownership, especially in a weakened economy, there is much more to consider.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Home in Today's Economy

It is true that the pride that comes with owning your own home is a great benefit in terms of happiness. It can provide a person or family with a sense of stability, permanence and roots. It gives a sense of freedom in that you can make choices in your home environment in a way you can't in a rented living space. Even with these emotional benefits, if financial pros and cons of owning a home are not considered, home ownership can be a recipe for disaster.

One of the main financial benefits of home ownership is the ability to earn equity in your home. Equity in your home is not automatic though. While you may assume that equity is earned over time, it's important not to overlook the fact that the bulk of a home's equity is acquired at the time of purchase. In order to take advantage of the benefit of earning equity, it's important to maximize the home's earning potential. This means purchasing a home that is not the most expensive home in a neighborhood or a home that is at the top of the market. The key is owning a home that has room to improve and may be undervalued in the market. Having equity in your home provides true financial stability in terms of future borrowing should the need arise, refinancing options, and ultimately money in your pocket when it comes time to sell.

The flip side of earning equity in your home is the possible depreciation in value of your home. As with any investment, purchasing a home is a risk. While historically real estate values increase over time, many homeowners today are learning that equity is not a given. The potential of being upside down on your home loan (owing more than your home is worth) is certainly a potential downside of owning a home in today's economy.

Even if equity is a long way away, home ownership still has a number of financial benefits. Tax benefits are one of the main pros of home ownership in any economic climate. Both interest paid on your mortgage and real estate taxes are deductible. In addition to the tax benefits, every on-time mortgage payment is a step towards equity and a step towards improving your credit score and debt to equity ratio.

The bottom line is that, as with any investment, there are pros and cons to home ownership, and both emotional and financial benefits must be examined before deciding to take that financial step.