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As well as being the day of the week which many people look forward to the most, a recent study has revealed that Saturday is also the time where consumers are most likely to splash the cash.

In research carried out by the Co-operative Bank Credit Cards, it was revealed the typical Briton will spend just under 175 pounds on this day of the week. This spending - which ranges from areas such as clothes and food to parking and make-up - accounts for some 9,077 pounds over the course of a year. Spread over a lifetime expenditure on this time on this day will come to more than 549,000 pounds.

And although significant numbers of people look forward to having a good time at the weekend, money management difficulties appear to be leaving many with a fiscal hangover as Monday arrives. Just under three-quarters (72 per cent) of those surveyed state that they spend more cash during Saturdays and Sundays than they had anticipated, with 36 per cent claiming to feel guilty about their expenditure at the start of a new week.

For those consumers who are looking for an effective way in which to supplement their spending, applying for a low-rate loan may be recommended.

Research from the financial services firm indicated that a significant proportion of money goes toward shopping sprees. Just over 21 pounds goes toward clothes, with 25 pounds and 44 pence splashed out on shoes. Overall, spending on these areas come to 47 pounds.

Furthermore, eating and drinking out results in typical Saturday spending of more than 38 pounds. An average of 11 pounds and 83 pence goes towards electronic goods such as computers and DVDs, while contributions to travel expenses stands at over ten pounds. Hobbies and sporting accessories were each revealed to cost just under nine pounds.

Commenting on the figures, Maxine Xodo, product manager at the credit cards division of the Co-operative Bank, said: “It’s incredible to think that Saturday spending could add up to so much. But as a nation we work some of the longest hours in Europe and many people live for the weekend, with Saturday being the one day where people feel they can let their hair down and enjoy themselves. However it is important for people to plan ahead with their spending so it doesn’t come as a surprise when their bills come through the door.”

Those consumers looking to make a major purchase or want to supplement their finances, taking out a low-cost loan may be recommended. By doing so, borrowers may find that they are able to effectively buy an item - whether it is designer brand clothes, a new car or sporting equipment - effectively and are left with an affordable rate of repayments to make each month. Selecting this kind of loan could be particularly recommended after a study carried out by IFA Promotion website Unbiased in April 2007 showed that many consumers have a “buy now, think later” attitude towards shopping. An estimated 7.5 million people were shown to make short term financial decisions, with three million buying items solely on desirability.

Mark Dawson writes for the Loan Arrangers. Where visitors can compare cheap loans online, and apply for debt consolidation loans. To read more articles from Mark go to http://news.loan-arrangers.co.uk

Everyone would agree that one of the basic reasons bank accounts exist is to provide a place to put one’s money to keep it safe. While images like stuffing your mattress with money may seem humorous to most of us, there have been times when people have done just that with the money they earned. In other situations, people might carry cash on their persons. The danger with either situation is that if money is stolen or lost, it cannot be replaced. Thus, using a banking service like an account is a good way to protect your assets.

Equally important is the fact that most people who are employed receive paychecks that can be redeemed for cash at banks. Of course, banks have a common policy that requires them to charge a fee for the cashing of someone’s paycheck. This may not seem very important since the fees are generally very small. Yet, even a small fee can amount to something over time. The advantage to having a bank account with a local bank is that those fees will be waived if you keep an account with them.

Those same banking institutions also provide features that provide convenient use of accounts whether you want to establish a checking account and use checks to pay bills rather than cash or if you wish to obtain a debit card that can be used in the place of money. Both of these options provide easy access to your funds without being on the premises, physically withdrawing the funds from your checking or savings account.

While the direct advantages of keeping some type of banking account may be obvious to some, there are some indirect benefits as well. What sort of indirect benefits are there? First, the very fact that you have an account may improve your chances of being approved for a loan. It may be especially true if you are attempting to get a personal loan from the bank you have an account with and do business with on a regular basis. Established relationship with regular customers can go along way to help you obtain that personal loan or business loan you need.

Similarly, the fact that you have an existing account with a banking institution might be considered when you are trying to get financing for a loan elsewhere. For example, the lender may want to know if you have an active saving or checking account with a positive balance, so there is no doubt that you will have the ability to pay back the balance of the loan you receive.

These are all just some of the advantages associated with banking.

Peter Kenny is a writer for The Thrifty Scot, please visit us at Bad Credit Remortgage and Credit Cards
Visit Annual House Price Inflation Falls Again

This is actually from an email that I got from a friend. While it is of the of the ‘send this to 10 friends and make a wish‘ ilk, I actually applied these tips and saved about $8.00 when I filled up my tank. As high as gas is these days, every little bit helps and you have my assurance that I have actually tried this stuff and it works. — DH

TIPS ON PUMPING GAS (Good information)

I don’t know what you guys are paying for gasoline…. but here in California we are also paying higher, up to $3.50 per gallon. But my line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money’s worth for every gallon..

Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose , CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.

• Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening….your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role. A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.
• When you’re filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you’re getting less worth for your money.
• One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.
• Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up–most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.

DO SHARE THESE TIPS WITH OTHERS!

Here is a discussion from wikiHow discussing this very subject: living a debt-free life. Within this reader-created list, there are good tips on how to reduce debt and even if they don’t necessarily suit your specific financial scenario, these pointers are a good launch pad for you to begin fashioning your own roadmap to a life that is full and free of as much of the burden of debt as possible.

How to Start Living a Debt Free Life

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
A Debt Free lifestyle is easier to attain than you think. It doesn’t matter how much money you make or how in debt you are. Once you learn how the only bills you’ll pay are utilities. No mortage, no car payments.

Steps

1. Stop adding to your debt. Cut up the credit cards and throw away the checks so you can’t bounce one. Do not sign up for any more credit cards or loan offers. Stay away from Pay Day Loans. Remember - If you can’t afford it today, you can’t afford it tomorrow (meaning don’t expect to pay tomorrow for debts incurred today at the gaming store).
2. Admit you are in debt and start living like it. Did you know that most millionaires live in modest homes and drive used cars? That’s why they are rich. Don’t expect to eat out at fine restaurants. You can’t afford it, get over it. You will be able to go someday soon but not now. Don’t buy new clothes for a while. There is nothing wrong with what you already own. Saving that money for a few months will help get you back on your feet.
3. Total up your debt. Go ahead and face the music. You need to open all those unopened bills. Make a list of all your debt, big and small.
4. Pay with cash only. While debit cards are OK to use once you get in control they can still allow you to spend more than you should but at least it’s not like a credit card.
5. Talk to your creditors. Don’t ignore them, they won’t ignore you. If you keep in contact with them, they will be more willing to work out a plan with you. If the first person you speak with is unwilling, then ask to speak to their supervisor and just keep going until they are willing to work with you. Be honest and pleasant, no one wants to help you if your nasty.
6. Make a plan for which debts to pay first. You need to pay everyone something every month even it’s it’s only a dollar, but you need to have one debt that you are going to get rid of first. Target the one(s) with the highest interest rate. Which reminds me … Call them and ask them to reduce your interest rate - many times they will do this, just because you asked!
7. Roll over the savings. Once you have one debt paid, apply that money to the next debt you are trying to pay off and just keep going.
8. Get frugal. So you don’t like cutting coupons? Too bad. If you could save $10 on your shopping next trip why wouldn’t you? Buy a cheaper brand of toothpaste. Use half the toothpaste you currently do - the size of a pea is all you need. And think about it, that $4.00 tube is now really only $2.00 … because you are making it go twice as far! it’s the little things … lots of little things add up. And even though it may be kind of “nerdy,” it is actually fun to think of all the little ways you can save money. Food shopping, buy whats on sale and learn to live with it. You’ll save and not starve. Go to matinees instead of the nighttime movies. Make your own lattes instead of Starbucks. Think to yourself what it is you really like … and then think of a way you can do it cheaper! Homemade chili is so much tastier than canned. And you can add all the things you love … Beer? Cilantro? Jalapenos? Cheddar cheese? Just the way you like it! Drink alot of bottled water? Refill them at home. The savings will rake up. Take your lunch to work, eating at the fast foods and deli’s cost alot of money.
9. Be conservative with your utilities. Lower your thermostat in the winter. Spend the evening at the library instead of heating up your place. And read their magazines and drop your subscriptions. Fix leaking faucets, turn off unused lights, etc.
10. Change your way of thinking. Instead of saying that something only cost a dollar think of it as keeping that dollar instead. That dollar will grow interest for you. So that item doesn’t really just cost a dollar it costs you your future!
11. Learn how to invest … not just save … but invest. Think of every dollar your money is not earning as future money just dribbling out of your pocket. Look up an investment class at your local university. Or check Craig’s List. You will find something if you really want to. (Talk to a teacher or a librarian if nothing else is working.) Then make your money work for you! Yes it takes time. But you can either have $100,000 (and easily more!) when you are 40, or not! Just check out those compound interest tables. You cannot believe how easy it is if you just get started now. If you are young, you have time on your side … and time is one of the major factors with compound interest. If you have a 401K at work, put in 1% if you can, just to start it. You really wont miss the money, but you know in the back of your mind that you have something good going for yourself.
12. Save for a rainy day. Old cliche I know, but it’s true. Try to put away 10% of what you make into savings. If you can’t do that then put away whatever you can. Even if it’s .50 cents. Make this your first bill that you pay. Because you are the most important thing you need to take care of. Then learn how to make your money work for you (tip: The stock market is the fastest and surest way to make the most money - over 10% over the long haul - no kidding - look it up!
13. Gas prices are high. Combine your errands togather. Don’t go out for just one errand, do them all at once, Get gas, stop at the post office, drug store and grocery shopping. Try to combine some of those before and after driving to work. You’ll save more each month than you think.
14. Get rid of the stress. Being in debt is not normal or healthy. Take some time out for you to just relax. You will be better able to handle the debt when you are rested. Check out a library book or two - something light or humorous. Make popcorn (cheap) and have a wonderful, carefree evening.
15. Don’t ever think that your alone in this. So many people are trying to get back on their feet. Yes it’s hard to give up alot of the things that in the past have made you happy. Doing all the things above, as hard as it is, will help you in the long run.

Tips

• Think before you buy anything. Do you really need it? If not put it back.
• Be strict with yourself.
• Be strict with children, the I Want’s have to go away even if it means crying through the whole store (I’ve done it)

Warnings

• Reducing your debt can be addicting. Remember to reward yourself once in awhile. You deserve it.

Related wikiHows

• How to Be Debt Free
• How to Get Out of Debt
• How to Repay Your Debts
• How to Choose a Debt Management Program
• How to Deal With Debt Collectors
• How to Start Living Frugally

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Start Living a Debt Free Life. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

As a full-time student, I have purchased my books this way for years and it really does work, you just need a strategy. Here are some of the tricks I use to get the books that I need at the prices I can actually afford to pay:

1. Find Out if You Can Use an Older Edition: On the first day of class, when most instructors review the syllabus and course requirements, ask if it is allowable to use a previous edition of the textbook. Having tried this for many classes, the answer is surprisingly yes far more often than it is no. Furthermore, the difference in price between the current edition of a book and even just one edition ago can be $100. From there, you just look for the older edition online. Don’t be surprised if you find the book for $1 while your poor classmates have to put out $135.

2. Shop Early: Once you have gotten a class syllabus and the names of the books you will need, go online immediately to purchase them. Even if that means you use a computer on campus or at a nearby coffee shop or even your web-enabled cell phone. However you do it, do not let too much time pass before getting on the computer and doing your searching. The reason is obvious: other clever students are doing the same thing and as used books come at different prices, the early birds will get the lower-priced books leaving the higher-priced ones for all of those who put off looking until tomorrow.

3. Search by the ISBN Number: One of the risks that come along with buying your textbook online is that you could potentially buy the wrong book. The best way to avoid that is to do your searches by the book’s ISBN number which is located on the back in the barcode area or on the inside cover with the publisher’s information. The reason for this is that many times the cover shots of books may be generic or submitted by sellers so they may or may not ‘appear’ like the book you are ‘looking’ for, but the ISBN speaks to what is inside the book, how the pages are numbered, etc. In other words, who cares if the cover of the book matches, as long as the content is the same, you have the right book.

4. Comparison Shop: There are many, many different bookstore shingles hanging out online, most of which are oriented towards the needs of students. In other words, most of them accurately represent the textbooks, have reliable sellers and offer student-critical services such as expedited shipping. While there are others, here is a list of booksellers that I have had great success with in finding my used books

• Amazon
• AbeBooks
• BookByte
• Books a Million
• Ebay
• Half.com
• PhatCampus

5. When You Find It, Buy It!: This is very important. If you find your $175 anatomy book for $25 with the right ISBN and coming from a reputable seller, just buy it! Some people can take comparison shopping to the extreme and in so doing, lose out on a sweet deal that was right in the palms of their hands. Again, there are many other students looking around for the same book and not just other students from your class, but from similar classes all around the world so, the competition is stiffer that it would appear on the surface.

More than anyone, students especially need to be concerned with managing their finances and proactively thinking about the amounts they will have to repay in student loan debt down the line. With this in mind, the ability to buy really cheap college textbooks over the course of two, five, ten, even fifteen years, makes a lot of sense if this ultimately lowers the loan amounts that students borrow each semester.

Happy hunting and if you have any tips to add to this list, please leave comments because for all of the students who know this strategy, there are five out there who do not.

P.S. If you are wondering ‘where can I sell my textbooks?’, almost all of these online sellers buy back textbooks too!

Catalog Choice is an online service that allows users who sign up for a free account to send automated messages to retailers telling them that they no longer wish to receive their catalogs. I have used this service for a few months now and I think that it is fantastic. I live in an apartment and have one of those tiny apartment mailboxes so, you can imagine my frustration when I try to get my mail and the IMPORTANT letters are wedged in behind nine catalogs, all of which are for products I do not even use.

There mission is a noble one

The mission of Catalog Choice is to reduce the number of repeat and unsolicited catalog mailings, and to promote the adoption of sustainable industry best practices. We aim to accomplish this by freely providing the Catalog Choice services to both consumers and businesses. Consumers can indicate which catalogs they no longer wish to receive, and businesses can receive a list of consumers no longer wanting to receive their catalogs.

On a practical level, however, their service helps free up peoples time and mental space. I have noticed that a reduction in the amount of junk I receive in the mail actually does have an effect on my peace of mind. And speaking of making a difference, you will also be able to sleep better at night knowing that you are helping to cut down on the wasteful use of paper for catalogs that most of us never even look at.

To sign up or for more information, visit their website at http://www.catalogchoice.org/.

Some experts argue that cheap gas is not really an issue, because most consumers are not careful enough when it comes to saving gas. Car specialists recommend a number of tricks by which anyone can save up to 10% of the amount of gas they consume, though most would argue that this type of saving does not mean we purchase cheap gas. At any rate, all those affected by the high gas prices could benefit from learning such tricks, most of which are related to tire inflation, regular change of air filters or unneeded acceleration and braking. A more appealing solution to the issue of high gas prices is to search for gas stations offering cheap gas in various areas.

Promotional deals are the main way of purchasing cheap gas, but finding out about them involves that consumers be constantly on the watch. Information about such deals can be found at the local news station, although there are many people looking for relevant tips on which gas stations offer cheap gas at certain periods and under what terms. There are also people who attempt to benefit from knowledge to make gas prices smaller - by supplying their cars with fuel after dusk. They have learnt that as the air gets colder, gas compresses, and so they can purchase more gas for the same money. Although this does not really mean they get cheap gas, they sure get more for less money!

The growing demand on gas affects not only gas prices, which automatically go up, but also the world around us. The more fuel we burn, the less considerate we are about the environment. Environmental specialists suggest that a solution to having cheap gas again is not only to save up, but also to diminish the amount of gas consumed by using several methods. Many even suggest that people should give up cars and then the lack of cheap gas would hardly be a problem. More realistic solutions involve sharing cars, which would cause individual transportation costs to decrease. If taken up seriously by a considerable number of people, these saving up solutions would gradually come to influence gas prices because the demand for gas would decrease and everyone could benefit from cheap gas.

Market specialists estimate that the demand for cheap gas will keep increasing and consequently people will come up with more and more ingenious solutions to deal with the high gas prices. There is little chance for international gas traders to reach an agreement about fixed pricing. However, market tendencies can be subtly influenced through various commercial strategies, from which individual consumers might at some point benefit more extensively by being able to purchase cheap gas.

Now, you can repair cracks in your windshield for about $10 with a do-it-yourself windshield repair kit by Permatex. The beauty of it (aside from the price tag) is that you can arrest those tiny chips BEFORE they turn into gigantic cracks and save accordingly whether it is your pocket money or your insurance premium.

According to the company’s press release

Permatex(R) has developed a special Windshield Repair Kit that fills in the ding, stops the damage from spreading, and helps to minimize the blemish on the glass. The kit comes complete with everything needed to make a permanent, professional-quality repair in minutes, including easy-to-follow instructions with step-by-step photos. To see how simple the kit is to use, check out Permatex’s how-to demo video online at:
http://www.permatex.com/videos/video_windshield_eng.html

So, whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or a pro, you can repair a windshield chip without the need for special tools or training. You should be able to get Permatex’s Windshield Repair Kit at leading auto parts stores.

A little searching turned up that you can buy it on Amazon as well.

For more information, go to http://www.permatex.com.

Ways To Save Money?

• Unplug your clocks at night to save on electricity.
• Carry powdered drink mix and add it to water when eating out, to save on buying drinks.
• Install a cat door and train your cat to go outside and to the neighbors yard to go to the bathroom. This saves you on cat litter and time cleaning the yard.
• Eat dog food. (According to this contributor, the dry dog food is better than the canned.)
• Tell everyone you’ll be out of town for Christmas, so you can shop the after-Christmas sales for presents.
• Ask your friends to save the labels for you off any new products they buy, so you can put them on your thrift-store purchases when you are buying gifts.
• Run around the house and close the heater vents in all the rooms except your bedroom before going to sleep.
• Encourage mice in the house by leaving crumbs around - so your cat will have a free food supply.
• Learn speed-reading and read books for free while in the aisle at the book store.
• Leave everything in the same place in your house, so you can easily get around at night without turning the lights on.
• Bring back rolls of coins from Canada, to use at the laundromat and in pop machines, saving you 20% or more, depending on the exchange rate.

Okay, these may be funny ways to save money, but did any of them tempt you? Do you pick up pennies on the street? Wouldn’t it be more efficient to just stay on the clock at work for an extra minute? Hey, and while you are there, take a big drink of water - to save on your home water bill.

Steve Gillman studies money. To get free e-courses and e-books on money topics, and for more Funny Ways To Save Money, visit: http://www.UnusualWaysToMakeMoney.com

1. Save on Flowers - If you plan to send flowers, be sure to take advantage of online coupon codes. Many florists accept them, and they can save you 10-20%. You can find them on any coupon code website, or simply search the term ‘flower coupon code’. Alternatively, pick up flowers from your local grocery store or wholesale club, which usually charge half of what you’ll pay florist delivery services. Heres another flower-related idea: dare to be different! Choose tulips or daffodils - or any flower variety but roses - and save big!
2. Save on Greeting Cards - Why not make your own cards? Get creative! Most recipients would rather receive a message from the heart than one from Hallmark. You can save on postage by sending free e-cards or better yet, hand-deliver your love notes!
3. Save on Restaurants - Make an early or late reservation to get a discount on your dinner bill. You can also save a bundle on your romantic Valentines Day dinner if you make it yourself at home. Nothin says lovin like home-cooked meal!
4. Save on Candy - Just like with flowers, if you want to have fancy chocolates delivered to your sweetie, look for online coupon codes under ‘candy delivery’. You could also make your own gift box full of your loves favorite candies, bought in bulk. Consider the option of Valentines Day cookies. Bake heart-shaped sugar cookies and frost with pink butter-cream frosting. Your love will appreciate the personal touch!

A Lighthouse Money Article Money Advisor! http://earnerz.com