Tired of Gas Prices? 5 Tips for Ditching Your Car and Still Getting Around

Gas prices have almost tripled since 2002, causing many people to ditch their cars to save money. Leaving car ownership behind is easier when you have confidence you can still get around. Good news - you can survive without a car, even if you don't live in a major urban area. Here's five tips to help you get started.

1. Use Public Transportation

A handful of cities are known for such excellent public transportation systems that having a car is an anomaly instead of a requirement. But most cities have some public transportation. Consider buses, trains, trollies and even publicly available bicycles.

Scheduling your day around public transportation can take some adjustment. Research makes the transition easier. Look up routes, print out a list of exchanges and times and program the customer service number into your phone for quick information.

While taxis aren’t as cheap, they can definitely do in a pinch when you need to get from point A to point B very quickly. A taxi service in Naples might be just the thing for you, and you always want to make sure you get a ride from a trusted company, like Southwest Florida Transportation Group, Inc. Don’t just hop into any old yellow car and hope it’s a taxi!

2. Walk or Bike

What's a great way to learn more about your city, get some exercise and save on gas? Using your own two feet as your primary mode of transportation. Walking is free and even investing in a good bicycle pays for itself in a couple months of saved gas bills.

Living in a central location that allows you access to frequent destinations may be more expensive than other housing options. Keep in mind the money you're saving without a car payment, gas bills and car insurance when making your budget. 

3. Reduce Your Trips

Without a car, you learn to consolidate trips. Not running out for fast food may be inconvenient at first, but you'll be saving even more money in the long run. Whenever you need to go out to the store or run other errands, plan ahead. If you need to go to the grocery store or if you need to go get your haircut, go to the grocery store last. This will allow you to take care of all of your other tasks without letting any of your food going bad and it will prevent you from having to go back to the grocery store later. It will also give you time to think if you need to add any more items you need to get at the grocery store to your list. This will help you avoid the risks of going back later because you forgot an important item. Work ahead to avoid unnecessary trips. Plan out your week's meals and shop for everything you'll need at once. Odds are, you'll eat healthier, too.

4. Buy an Alternate Motorized Vehicle

Electric bikes, mopeds, scooters and motorcycles are growing in popularity as gas prices rise. They are the best of both worlds - you can travel long distances in short amounts of time and use less gas than traditional cars. A bonus is that many options don't require insurance.

5. Car Sharing for Special Trips

No matter how satisfied you are with your car-free life, there will come a time when you simply need a car. In those situations, consider a car-sharing program. City Car Share, i-Go, FlexCar, ZipCar and Lyft are just a handful of the options available. Some research will help you find the best car-share program for you.

Getting Close To Retirement? 4 Things To Remember As You Get Closer To The Golden Years

If you are approaching retirement, you will want to take the time to understand your goals and where you stand. Otherwise, if you head to retirement without thinking about your future, you will face serious issues. With this in mind, here are four things to remember as you approach your golden years.

Lawyer:

Once you amass some wealth, you will want to protect it. To do so, talk to a lawyer who can set up your finances in an intelligent and thoughtful manner. Otherwise, if you have a 401k, pension or other financial product, you will fear problems if you commit any mistakes. Not only that, with an attorney, you can maximize your social security payouts as he or she can come up with the best withdrawal solution for your needs. While a lawyer will cost money, he or she will have you enough in the long run that you will have no trouble justifying this minor expense. Rogers Bussey Lawyers are lawyers in Newfoundland, and a good example of a firm that could help you through this transition in life. 

Health care:

Believe it or not, if you retire without health care, you are putting your net worth at risk. While you can usually use government sponsored plans by the time you reach 65, you will need to think about your needs before you reach that age. Not only that, you will also want to consider supplemental plans, especially if you suffer from any ailments. Either way, when you take care of this at a younger age, you will avoid issues should you fall ill.

Home:

Let’s face it, if you raised a family in a large home, during your retirement, you will not need the room. In reality, you need to consider selling your house as you can move to a lower cost of living area. Other times, if you want to remain in the area, you can downsize to a condo or smaller home. Either way, unless you want to stay in a large house and pay to heat and cool it, you need to consider downsizing.

Will:

If you have some assets, you will probably want a will. Not only that, if you are a parent and want to pass down money to your kids, you will want to set up a will. With a lawyer on your side, you can create this quickly.

When you prepare for retirement, you will have an easier time as won’t need to worry about losing out on the best time of your life. Remember, if you don’t prepare, you will struggle when you are older.

Tips for Creating your Perfect Retirement Home on a Tight Budget

Retirement (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

Building a customized retirement home is a great way to ensure that every single aspect of the property is exactly how the owner would wish, but there are some important considerations to make. Here is a look at a few simple steps to avoid common mishaps, save money, and not cut corners.

Consider Splitting Lots

One of the biggest parts of creating the perfect retirement home is finding an ideal location. A sprawling lot next to a lake may seem ideal, but that is not always going to be in the budget. Those that are retiring can speak with family and friends about purchasing larger lots with one of the parties using their half as an investment property while the retirees begin building their home.

Carry Out Minimum Site Prep

Site prep tends to be one of those expenditures that very few think about before it is too late. While the initial cost for a near-ready site is going to be more expensive, site preparation can often cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some of the most common preparation costs include hauling in fill dirt, cutting down trees, grading, leveling, and breaking down rock. 

Find the Right Location

It is popular to build a retirement home in a beautiful, tropical location. When potential retirees begin to fantasize over the potential places to retire, they begin to lose a grip on smart location choice. Location can save a very significant amount of money in your site and in the cost of living after moving in.

Take for example Florida. Florida ranks consistently as one of the 5 most popular places to retire, especially for east coast seniors. But not all of Florida is made equal. According to CNN Money, living in Tampa, FL will save you 33% on housing costs compared to Miami, FL. In addition, health care, groceries and transportation cost around 6-7% less respectively in Tampa. Do some research and pick a smart location!

Use Stock Plans

A fully custom floor plan is typically going to be too expensive for those that are looking to build a retirement home on a budget. Instead, a much more affordable option is to choose a stock layout from a reputable builder or architect and then make the minor changes to the home in order to customize it how the residents would like it.

Explore Used Materials

Demolition sites may not sound like a place where one wants to collect materials, but they actually can provide some amazing and unique options without the overwhelming costs. Many of these sites offer their materials at little or no cost for those that are willing to haul and builders can find stressed woods, bricks, and a variety of non-finishing materials as well. 

Use Cheaper Material to Save Money

One of the best ways to save on building a house is to knowing the kinds of material that can go into a certain room. For example, you may be working with a contractor who suggests that you install a natural stone floor in your kitchen or bathroom. However, if you know good alternatives to natural stone, you will be empowered to make better decisions. For example Centura Tile, a supplier from Hamilton, Canada, offers ceramic tile at less than a dollar a tile compared to natural stone which can get over $50 per tile.

Create Allowances

The builder is going to make or break a project, and they could also create extra savings or go well over budget. While there are some safeguards against them gouging prices, that does not always mean that hiccups won’t happen. It is important to set aside allowances for overspending, notify the builder of that amount, and have them agree to it in writing.

Creating a retirement home from the ground up does not always mean exorbitant costs. Taking the time to understand each step and cutting expenses one at a time will mean a beautiful home that is on budget.

Save Money: How To Reduce Your Utility Bill This Summer

Are you one of the many Americans who dread opening up your utilities bills each month? Fortunately, there are several ways to cut down on your utilities. These six tips can be a great way to get started with your monthly savings.

Turn off your electronics

It may be tempting to leave your TV or stereo on at night, or maybe you forget to switch off the lights when you leave a room. However, these costs can add up over the course of a month. Before you leave the house or go to sleep, do a quick sweep to make sure your electronics are switched off. This is especially important for charging laptops and cell phones. Take a quick look around your home before leaving for the day, and especially before long trips. You may be surprised at how much electricity you are using when you don't need it. Common sources that are often overlooked include: kitchen appliances like toasters, charging computers or phones, electronic shavers and power strips.

Upgrade your appliances

Switching to energy efficient appliances can save you hundreds of dollars on your utilities. Your AC units, dishwasher, and washer and dryer can all be replaced with a high-efficiency model. In addition, many local and state governments offer financial incentives to homeowners who choose to upgrade to more efficient appliances. Air conditioner installation is a simple process with the help of professionals, and can save you a bundle for years to come, says the experts at Cydcom Services Ltd. 

Choose your light bulbs carefully

If you choose to purchase energy efficient light bulbs, not only will you save money on your electricity bill, but you will also save money in replacement costs. Although energy-saving light bulbs are initially more expensive, an energy-efficient light bulb can last seven times longer than a normal light bulb and costs you much less on your utilities. You won't end up having to keep going to the store to buy more light bulbs either, making it much easier to maintain as well. 

Install an irrigation meter

A little known fact about your water bill is that you are actually charged twice, once to pump the water into your house, and again when you pump it into the sewage system. By installing an irrigation meter, instead of pumping the water back into the sewer, you can use it to water your lawn or garden. The meter will be measured each month by the utility company and subtracted from your water bill.

Buy a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat can also help you save money on your heating and air conditioning costs. You can use a programmable thermostat to keep the temperature cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer when you aren’t home during the day. This is an easy way to save money without making a conscious effort everyday. By having the programmable thermostat, you can set a temperature for your home each day or night, and not worry about constantly changing it or forgetting to turn it down when you aren't home.

Turn down your water heater

Setting your hot water heater on a higher temperature can cost you hundreds each year in standby heat losses. Most hot water heaters are set at 140 degrees, but by turning the temperature down to 120 degrees, you can save even more money on your monthly utilities bills. When you have company over or need to use more hot water, you can turn it up temporarily to save you money. Hot water is more expensive than many people realize. You should also consider doing your laundry with cold or warm water as often as possible. Using hot water for all loads of laundry costs the average homeowner hundreds of dollars each year.

Bills for your electric, water and gas can be expensive, but by following these six steps, you can greatly reduce your monthly utility expenses. Expenses that you can control can make a big difference in savings at the end of the year.

Creating a Will: What Everyone Tends to Overlook

Creating a will is something everyone should do at some point, regardless of the level of financial assets involved. Money, property, and real estate are the common primary considerations when deciding how items should be divided upon an individual's death, but there may be a few other considerations most people do not evaluate. Death can create legal confusion for those left behind, and those who die intestate will have all personal property divided according to the laws of the particular state. A will is a legal method of circumventing that mandated division.

FINANCIAL ASSETS

In most states, all personal property is automatically transferred to the surviving spouse at the time of death. Families that include duly entitled children from previous marriages may need to update personal wills regularly to avoid legal contention after an unexpected death. Financial asset transfer can be assigned by the primary individual during the will process, instead of leaving the courts to make the decision later. A will can be contested in court, but overturning a will is different from suing for entitled assets, and usually more difficult. Savings and investment growth should be considered when making the will, as these financial instruments tend to fluctuate in value. The same is true for real estate property. An intestate court transfer order for financially valued articles can mean a much larger settlement for the plaintiff without a valid will.

EARLY PROPERTY TRANSFER

Transferring property before death is a good way to avoid taxes and ensure your personal property is divided according to your wishes. This can be a crucial financial decision, regardless of financial asset level. The concept of the death tax is real, and normally applies when not addressed in a valid will. This can also include practically any type of property. Wills should be done with careful prior evaluation, and early transfer often gets left out of the equation. It is always important to allow for all options, especially when it means the inheritor maintains as much total value as possible.

GUARDIANSHIP and CHILD CUSTODY

There is more to making a will than merely assigning financial assets. Minor or disabled children are a family asset as well and proper instructions should be left indicating the guardian decedent's wishes on custody. This can include disabled adult children who live at home or with a guardian individual. Do not leave this important issue out when it applies, as the decedent has the legal right to recommend a living situation for either minor children or disabled legal dependents. In addition, this can also apply to the primary will maker with respect to predesignated power of attorney and health care before a health condition could render the primary incompetent. Property is not the only component to a valid will. These dispositions could even include custody of a pet.

SEPARATE WILLS

Married couples should always have independent wills because it leaves clear designation for property that may be later contested, especially when ex-spouses and step-children are involved. Many married couples have there own personal property, as well as community married property, so it is easy to have a complicated situation. Procrastination is not a good idea either, as the most complicated will cases come when the decedent was not prepared and no acceptable personal will can be located. Accidents happen all of the time, so being prepared is always best.

It is not necessary to retain an attorney to prepare a valid will. Even in simple situations, a will can be prepared with one of the many available do-it-yourself will kits, including instructions on notarization of the document. As long as it is properly notarized, it can even be written on scratch paper when acceptable. It may be a good idea to check into purchasing a fire proof safe before or shortly after making the will. If there is only one document, a SafeWorld a division of Dial locksmith may be the safest protection device and it always at the individual's disposal. Fire proof safes from Edmonton are also excellent for protecting other legal instruments and significant amounts of cash, deeds, and ownership documents. Wills should be re-evaluated each year at tax time, and potentially each quarter for those individuals with significant wealth who monitor growth on a daily basis.

Staying Ahead of Financial Problems

In today’s economy, financial stability is far from a given. And as more Boomers approach retirement age, the pinch is being felt. When living on a fixed income, how can you make moves to keep yourself ahead of the game, and not having to go back to work in your retirement years?

Plan Ahead

Take a look at your monthly budget. See how much your bills equal, and how much you have coming in a month. Is it just social security or a pension? Try to put a little bit away whenever you can, and figure out what expenses you can cut out of your spending. Figure out cheap ways to go on vacations or visit your kids. There are lots of ways to cut down on travel expenses on the internet. The important thing to realize is that putting a little forethought into things can save big money in the future.

Stay Within Your Means

If planning ahead is the best way to keep you out of financial trouble, this is the easiest. Don’t spend what you don’t have. It’s just that simple. Only bringing in 500 bucks a month and relying on your savings? Don’t spend 550. Can’t pay for something with cash? Don’t pay for it with a credit card. Of course, things aren’t always so cut and dried. Sure, you’re going to need to over extend every once in a while, a home repair or a car repair. Look for senior or AARP discounts. Just make sure that if you do use credit cards, you’ll be able to pay down the balance in a timely manner.

Take a Look at Your Assets

Do you have stocks? Maybe an old 401(k)? Or a structured settlement from an accident? Keeping an eye on these assets can be a good way to stay ahead when financial instability comes nipping at your heels. Stocks are easy to sell, call a stock broker. 401(k)s have a few more rules. There are two kinds, the traditional 401(k) and the Roth 401(k). Each has different withdrawal rules. With a traditional, there are penalties if you withdraw your money too early. There are no penalties with a Roth, but you can’t withdraw until you’ve had the account for five years. If you have one, selling a structured settlement or a portion of it may be the way to go. 

 Instead of receiving your money in timed payouts, you can receive a lump sum to help you out of any financial difficulties you may find yourself in. By selling only a portion of the structured settlement, even a portion of the timed payouts, you can continue to have checks come in while also receiveing the lump sum. In retirement, every bit of income counts. Companies can help you sell your structured settlement quickly and painlessly, and all costs can come out of what ever the lump sum ends up being, so nothing has to come out of pocket. 

Just Pay Attention

This may seem like a simplified way of summing up the above points, but it cannot be overstated. Pay attention to what’s going on in your finances. If something looks out of the ordinary, follow up on it. If you see something on your bank or credit card statements doesn’t belong there, make a phone call. It’s up to you to make sure that you know what’s going on with your money. Talk to a financial manager, take time to go over your finances monthly, and you should be able to stay ahead of the game.