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Loved One With Bipolar Disorder?
Discover How to Cope and Deal with
Your loved One's Bipolar Disorder
Do You Have Bipolar Disorder?
Learn the Secrets to Cope and Deal
With Your Bipolar Disorder
Child With Bipolar Disorder?
Learn How to REALLY Help
And Support Your Child
Dating Someone With Bipolar?
Secrets to a Successful
Relationship Revealed
Marrying Someone With Bipolar?
Learn How to Support Your Spouse
and
Avoid Common Mistakes
Need Money Because
of Bipolar Disorder?
Learn How to Be Successful Even if
You are Dealing with Bipolar Disorder
Drug Addiction and Bipolar Disorder
Secrets to Beating Drug Addiction
When Dealing with Bipolar Disorder
Need Affordable Health Insurance?
Information You Can't Live Without
If You are Dealing with Bipolar Disorder
In Debt Because of Bipolar Disorder?
Get out of debt fast!
Improve Your Emotional Health
Reduce Your Stress Levels and
Increase Your Brain Power
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66 Ways To Save Money
Here are 66 ways to save money. Since so many people write telling me that
they are having financial challenges, I got to thinking that there are two ways
to increase your income: Either lowering your expenses or by raising your
income. In many cases, it's easier for people to lower their expenses or to save
money and take the excess money to pay down their debts and use the money saved
for better treatment for bipolar disorder.
Below please find a list of 66 ways to save money. Just make sure you take
the savings and use it sensibly!
Transportation
Airline Fares
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You may lower the price of a round trip air fare by as much
as two-thirds by making certain your trip includes a Saturday evening stay
over, and by purchasing the ticket in advance.
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To make certain you have a cheap fare, even if you use a
travel agent, contact all the airlines that fly where you want to go and ask
what the lowest fare to your destination is.
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Be flexible, if possible. Consider using low fare carriers
or alternative airports and keep an eye out for fare wars.
Car Rental
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Since car rental rates can vary greatly, shop around for the
best basic rates. Ask about any additional charges (extra driver, gas,
drop-off fees) and special offers.
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Rental car companies offer various insurance and waiver
options. Check with your automobile insurance agent and credit card company
in advance to avoid duplicating any coverage you may already have.
New Cars
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You can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a car
by selecting a model that combines a low purchase price with low financing,
insurance, gasoline, maintenance, and repair costs. Ask your local librarian
for new car guides that contain this information.
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Having selected a model, you can save hundreds of dollars by
comparison shopping. Call at least five dealers for price quotes and let
each know that you are calling others.
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Remember there is no "cooling off" period on new
car sales. Once you have signed a contract, you are obligated to buy the
car.
Used Cars
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Before buying any used car:
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Compare the seller's asking price with the average
retail price in a "bluebook" or other guide to car prices
found at many libraries, banks, and credit unions.
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Have a mechanic you trust check the car, especially if
the car is sold "as is."
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Consider purchasing a used car from an individual you know
and trust. They are more likely than other sellers to charge a lower price
and point out any problems with the car.
Auto Leasing
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Don't decide to lease a car just because the payments are
lower than on a traditional auto loan. The leasing payments may be lower
because you don't own the car at the end of the lease.
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Leasing a car is very complicated. When shopping, consider
the price of the car (known as the capitalized cost), your trade-in
allowance, any down payment, monthly payments, various fees (excess mileage,
excess "wear and tear," end-of- lease), and the cost of buying the
car at the end of the lease. Keys to Vehicle Leasing: A Consumer Guide,
published by the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission, is a
valuable source of information about auto leasing.
Gasoline
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You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing prices
at different stations, pumping gas yourself, and using the lowest-octane
called for in your owner's manual.
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You can save up to $100 a year on gas by keeping your engine
tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure.
Car Repairs
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Consumers lose billions of dollars each year on unneeded or
poorly done car repairs. The most important step that you can take to save
money on these repairs is to find a skilled, honest mechanic. Before you
need repairs, look for a mechanic who:
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is certified and well established;
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has done good work for someone you know; and
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communicates well about repair options and costs.
Insurance
Auto Insurance
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You can save several hundred dollars a year by purchasing
auto insurance from a licensed, low-price insurer. Call your state insurance
department for a publication showing typical prices charged by different
companies. Then call at least four of the lowest-priced, licensed insurers
to learn what they would charge you for the same coverage.
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Talk to your agent or insurer about raising your deductibles
on collision and comprehensive coverage to at least $500 or, if you have an
old car, dropping this coverage altogether. Taking these steps can save you
hundreds of dollars a year.
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Make certain that your new policy is in effect before
dropping your old one.
Homeowner/Renter Insurance
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You can save several hundred dollars a year on homeowner
insurance and up to $50 a year on renter insurance by purchasing insurance
from a low-price, licensed insurer. Ask your state insurance department for
a publication showing typical prices charged by different licensed
companies. Then call at least four of the lowest priced insurers to learn
what they would charge you. If such a publication is not available, it is
even more important to call at least four insurers for price quotes.
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Make certain you purchase enough coverage to replace the
house and its contents. "Replacement" on the house means
rebuilding to its current condition.
-
Make certain your new policy is in effect before dropping
your old one.
Life Insurance
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If you want insurance protection only, and not a savings and
investment product, buy a term life insurance policy.
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If you want to buy a whole life, universal life, or other
cash value policy, plan to hold it for at least 15 years. Canceling these
policies after only a few years can more than double your life insurance
costs.
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Check the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
website (www.naic.org/servlet/cis.Main)
or your local library for information on the financial soundness of
insurance companies.
Banking/Credit
Checking
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You can save more than $100 a year in fees by selecting a
checking account with a low (or no) minimum balance requirement that you
can, and do, meet. Request a list of these and other fees (including ATM and
debit card fees) that are charged on these accounts.
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Banking institutions often will drop or lower checking fees
if paychecks are directly deposited by your employer. Direct deposit offers
the additional advantages of convenience, security, and immediate access to
your money.
Savings and Investment Products
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Before opening a savings or investment account with a bank
or other financial institution, find out whether the account is insured by
the federal government (FDIC or NCUA). An increasing number of products
offered by these institutions, including mutual stock funds and annuities,
are not insured.
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To earn the highest return on savings (annual percentage
yield) with little or no risk, consider certificates of deposit (CDs) or
U.S. Savings Bonds (Series I or EE).
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Once you select a type of savings or investment product,
compare rates and fees offered by different institutions. These rates can
vary a lot and, over time, can significantly affect interest earnings.
Credit Cards
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You can save as much as a thousand dollars or more each year
in lower credit card interest charges by paying off your entire bill each
month or by using a check, cash or debit card for purchases.
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If you are unable to pay off a large balance, pay as much as
you can and switch to a credit card with a low annual percentage rate (APR).
You can obtain listings of low-rate credit cards through www.cardlocator.com
or www.bankrate.com
(click on credit cards), which provide information at no charge to
consumers.
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You can reduce credit card fees, which may add up to well
over $100 a year, by getting rid of all but one or two cards, and by
avoiding annual, late payment, and over-the-credit limit fees.
Auto Loans
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If you have significant savings earning a low interest rate,
consider making a large down payment or even paying for the car in cash.
This could save you as much as several thousand dollars in finance charges.
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You can save as much as hundreds of dollars in finance
charges by shopping for the cheapest loan. Contact several banks, your
credit union, and the auto manufacturer's own finance company.
First Mortgage Loans
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Although your monthly payment may be higher, you can save
tens of thousands of dollars in interest charges by shopping for the
shortest-term mortgage you can afford. On a $100,000 fixed-rate loan at 7%
annual percentage rate (APR), for example, you will pay over $75,000 less in
interest on a 15-year mortgage than on a 30-year mortgage.
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You can save thousands of dollars in interest charges by
shopping for the lowest-rate mortgage with the fewest points. On a 15-year
$100,000 fixed-rate mortgage, just lowering the APR from 7% to 6.5% can save
you more than $5,000 in interest charges, and paying two points instead of
three would save you an additional $1,000.
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If your local newspaper does not periodically run mortgage
rate surveys, call at least six lenders for information about their rates
(APRs), points, and fees. You may also check www.bankrate.com
for mortgage information in your area. Then ask an accountant to compute
precisely how much each mortgage option will cost and its tax implications.
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Be aware that the interest rate on most adjustable rate
mortgage loans (ARMs) can vary a great deal over the lifetime of the
mortgage. An increase of several percentage points might raise payments by
hundreds of dollars per month.
Mortgage Refinancing
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Consider refinancing your mortgage if you can get a rate
that is at least one percentage point lower than your existing mortgage rate
and plan to keep the new mortgage for several years or more. Ask an
accountant to calculate precisely how much your new mortgage (including
points, fees and closing costs) will cost and whether, in the long run, it
will cost less than your current mortgage.
Home Equity Loans
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Be cautious in taking out home equity loans. The loans
reduce or may even eliminate the equity that you have built up in your home.
Equity is the cash you would have if you sold your house and paid off your
mortgage loans. If you are unable to make payments, you could lose your
home.
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Compare home equity loans offered by at least four reputable
lending institutions. Consider the interest rate on the loan and the annual
percentage rate (APR), which includes other costs, such as origination fees,
discount points, mortgage insurance and other fees. Ask if the rate changes,
and if so, how it is calculated and how frequently, as this will affect the
amount of your monthly payments.
Housing
Home Purchase
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You can often negotiate a lower sale price by employing a
buyer broker who works for you not the seller. If the buyer broker or the
broker's firm also lists properties, there may be a conflict of interest, so
ask them to tell you if they are showing you a property that they have
listed.
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Do not purchase any house until it has been examined by a
home inspector that you selected.
Renting a Place to Live
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Do not limit your rental housing search to classified ads or
referrals from friends and acquaintances. Select buildings where you would
like to live and contact their building manager or owner to see if anything
is available.
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Remember that signing a lease probably obligates you to make
all monthly payments for the term of the agreement.
Home Improvement
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Home repairs often cost thousands of dollars and are the
subject of frequent complaints. Select from among several well established,
licensed contractors who have submitted written, fixed-price bids for the
work.
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Do not sign any contract that requires full payment before
satisfactory completion of the work.
Major Appliances
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Consult Consumer Reports, available in most public
libraries, for information about specific brands and how to evaluate them,
including energy use. There are often great price and quality differences
among brands.
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Once you've selected a brand, check the phone book to learn
what stores carry this brand, then call at least four of these stores for
the prices of specific models. After each store has given you a quote, ask
if that's the lowest price they can offer you. This comparison shopping can
save you as much as $100 or more.
Utilities
Electricity
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To save as much as hundreds of dollars a year on
electricity, make certain that any new appliances you purchase, especially
air conditioners and furnaces, are energy-efficient. Information on the
energy efficiency of major appliances is found on Energy Guide Labels
required by federal law.
- Enrolling in load management programs and off-hour rate programs offered
by your electric utility may save you up to $100 a year in electricity
costs. Call your electric utility for information about these cost-saving
programs.
Home Heating
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A home energy audit can identify ways to save up to hundreds
of dollars a year on home heating (and air conditioning). Ask your electric
or gas utility if they can do this audit for free or for a reasonable
charge. If they cannot, ask them to refer you to a qualified professional.
Telephone Service
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At least once a year review your phone bills for the
previous three months to see what local, local toll, long distance, and
international calls you normally make. Call several phone companies,
including wireless companies, to find an inexpensive calling plan that meets
your needs.
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If you make very few toll or long distance calls, avoid
calling plans with monthly fees or minimums.
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Check your phone bill to see if you have optional calling
services you don't use. Each option you drop could save you $40 or more each
year.
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Before making calls when away from home, compare per minute
rates and surcharges for different prepaid phone cards and calling card
plans to find the one that saves you the most money.
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Dial your long distance calls directly. Using an operator to
place the call can cost you up to $10 extra.
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If you use a wireless phone, make sure your wireless calling plan covers
the calls you typically make. Understand promotions, peak calling periods,
area coverage and roaming, and long distance requirements to avoid paying
too much.
Other
Food Purchased at Markets
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You can save hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at the
lower-priced food stores. Convenience stores often charge the highest
prices.
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You will spend less on food if you shop with a list.
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You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing
price-per-ounce or other unit prices on shelf labels. Stock up on those
items with low per-unit costs.
Prescription Drugs
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Since brand name drugs are usually much more expensive than
their generic equivalents, ask your physician and pharmacist for generic
drugs whenever appropriate.
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Since pharmacies may charge widely different prices for the
same medicine, call several. When taking a drug for a long time, also
consider calling mail-order pharmacies, which often charge lower prices.
Funeral Arrangements
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Make your wishes known about your funeral, memorial, or
burial arrangements in writing. Be cautious about prepaying because there
may be risks involved.
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For information about the least costly options, which could
save you several thousand dollars, contact a local memorial society, which
is usually listed in the Yellow Pages under funeral services.
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Before selecting a funeral home, call several and ask for
prices of specific goods and services, or visit them to obtain an itemized
price list. You are entitled to this information by law and, by using it to
comparison shop, you can save hundreds of dollars.
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If you are in a crisis please call:
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or
1-800-273-TALK (8255) |
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