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Power Through Your To-Do List with These Productivity Tips

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You know the feeling. After a long day at work, you collapse onto the couch and think, “Why am I so tired? I didn’t even get anything done today!” There’s definitely a big difference between putting in hours at work and actually being productive. While at work, it’s easy to get distracted by email, coworker conversations, unnecessary meetings, and last minute assignments. It’s up to you to brush these distractions aside and power through your daily to-do list. These productivity tips can help! The Pomodoro Technique In the early 1990s, an entrepreneur and author named Francesco Cirillo invented a new,...
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Five Tips for Creating a More Energy-Efficient Household

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Making your home more energy efficient is not only environmentally responsible, but fiscally responsible as well. By making a few simple changes around your home, you can conserve energy and reduce your monthly utility bills. Here are a few simple “household hacks” that will help improve the efficiency of your home. Install a Smart Thermostat Even though programmable thermostats have been around for quite some time, most people don’t even bother actually taking advantage of the programmable features. All too often, programmable thermostats remain at the same temperature all day, with minor adjustments made manually on occasion. Without effective programming,...
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Is it Finally Time to Ditch Cable TV?

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A recent study from the Liechtman Research Group reported that the average monthly cable TV bill is $99.10, a whopping 39% increase since 2010. When you add in taxes, fees, and equipment costs, it doesn’t take long for that number to balloon to $150 or even $200 a month. With all of the various entertainment options available today, it may be time to strongly reconsider shelling out that kind of cash every month for traditional subscription-based programming. For a small investment of around $100, you can purchase a Roku, Apple TV, or similar device and begin streaming online content directly...
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Thinking Outside the 9-5 Box: 5 Ways to Create Extra Income

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It’s easy for an entire paycheck to get eaten up by mortgage payments, bills, and other essentials, leaving very little to spend on the enjoyable things in life like vacations, hobbies, and entertainment. While many people may rely on credit cards to pay for the nonessential “extras” in life, there are other ways to scrape together “fun money” without piling up unnecessary debt. All it takes is a little creativity and thinking outside of the “9 to 5” box. Here are a few short-term side-income opportunities that will work alongside your current full-time job. 1) Rummage Sales Rummage (or garage)...
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Steer Clear of These Car Buying Myths

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For most of us, purchasing a vehicle is one of the first major financial decisions we make in our lives. With so many vehicle choices and financing options, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the entire process. It’s also very easy to make a mistake, which can cost you a lot of time and money in the long run. Here are a few common myths and considerations to keep in mind as you begin shopping for your next vehicle. Myth #1: Leasing is always the best option. When you purchase a new car, you really have two main options, “leasing”...
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What the EMV?!

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Most people understand what the acronyms OMG, SMH, and LOL mean. But what about EMV? You may have heard of EMV, and possibly have seen new EMV readers at retailers, but what exactly is it? More importantly, why should you care? EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard, Visa (the three companies that developed the technology) and is a new security feature embedded in ATM, debit, and credit cards. Instead of the old method of storing your information on a magnetic stripe, EMV cards store your information on a “chip”, which is a small integrated circuit. EMV cards are not “swiped” at...
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Are You Overlooking These Tax Deductions?

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Tax season is upon us, and people everywhere are sharpening their pencils and doing everything in their power to maximize their refunds. While most of us understand the basics of tax deductions, the complex IRS rules are constantly changing, making it easy to leave a few tax dollars on the table. While preparing your return this year, spend a little extra time to determine if you qualify for any of these often overlooked deductions. Donations If you donated furniture, clothing, appliances or household items to an approved charity during the previous year, you may receive a write-off for the items’...
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Save Big on Fitness Memberships

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Staying fit doesn’t always come cheap. It can be difficult to fit exercise into your schedule, and even more difficult to fit it into your budget. The cost of a membership to your local fitness center can be pricey, especially if you are looking for a modern facility with a wide selection of the most current equipment. But don’t fret – there are ways to improve your physical fitness without putting a dent into your financial fitness. Go with a friend Many fitness centers allow patrons to bring a guest and may even offer special pricing for groups. Search for coupons...
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Conquer Your Financial New Year’s Resolutions

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New Year, same resolutions. If you’re like most people, this most likely means promises of regular gym sessions, healthier eating or better time management. We all commit to these things with the intention of seeing them through all year, but unfortunately our dedication usually ends not long after the champagne toasts are over. This doesn’t have to be true for your financial goals! The beginning of the New Year is the perfect time to re-evaluate your financial situation. Before tackling your goals, it’s important to analyze your current financial situation and then set clear, realistic and measurable goals. A recent...
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Credit Unions: Don’t Count Them Out

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When it comes to your financial institution, many people look to big banks for their wide array of products and services. But in this day and age when fees are at an all time high and options for more financial freedom seem limited, there could be an answer to your needs right in your very own backyard. On the surface, credit unions may seem similar to banks. From the outside, you will typically see the same view you have become accustomed to at a bank: drive thru teller lines, ATMs, typical stuff. But there are a few key differences, and those differences...
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