Best Ways to Save Money in 2011

What are the best ways to save money in 2011? It depends on your lifestyle and personality (eg, How much debt do you have? What's your money personality?). But these unusual ways to save money work for most people most of the time.

They're more psychological than the "same old same old" money saving tips...

Best Ways to Save Money in 2011

Relate your financial goals to your overall life purpose. What do you want to do with your life — where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? Your thoughts become things, so stay focused on what you want to achieve in your life. Relate your life goals to specific money goals. Say, for instance, your life goal is to live in a home with a view of the ocean. Cut a picture of your dream home out of a magazine, or sketch it yourself. Paste it your fridge, bathroom mirror, office wall. That vision will help you stay motivated to save money this year.

Get rid of household and office clutter. When your home is cluttered, you often spend money to replace things you can’t find. You keep buying “organizers" such as containers and shelving units -- and you may even hire a professional organizer. Sometimes you buy things you don’t need to declutter your home — and they just cause more clutter and more debt! So, one of the best ways to save money in 2011 is to declutter. The less clutter you have, the better able you can see and find the things you need. Food will be less likely to go bad in the fridge. Warranties and guarantees and receipts will be at your fingertips. You won't have to spend money replacing stuff you have, but can’t find. Decluttering can even increase your motivation to set and achieve financial goals.

Activate two money saving tips a month. We see the best ways to save money everywhere – the internet, budget books, our rich old aunts, on placemats at funky restaurants. But do we actually apply them to our lives? Nope. It’s too much. So we need to be strategic about saving money in 2011. Pick one or two money saving tips. Focus on making those two tips a habit for a month or six weeks. Then, find one two more money saving tips to work on. This way, you’re not overwhelmed with a million ways to save money.

Make two days a week “No Spend” days. “Unspend,” advise the financial gurus at DailyWorth. “No Spend Days are powerful budget-balancing tools. By simply not spending money one day a week, you give yourself more wiggle room in other areas.” I think one day a week is too easy – I challenge you to make two days a week your “No Spend” days! No DVD rentals, no 7-11 slurpees (my personal weakness), and no restaurant meals.

These are just a few tips for saving money. For the whole enchilada, go to Quips and Tips for Money and Love.

Also -- my husband and I have discovered a pot of gold in The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated. It's not about saving money per se -- it's about living the life the way you want it, no matter how much money you have.

Any questions or comments on these "best ways to save money in 2011"? I welcome you below...

Best Ways to Find Blogging Jobs

Knowing the best ways to find blogging jobs will help you make money online -- and make you very very happy. I love blogging for a living. Though I'm not earning over $100,000 a year right now, I expect to be making that much in a year from now. O happy day!

Here's what I think about finding blogging work...

Best Ways to Find Blogging Jobs

Be present in a blogging community. Which community does not really matter — Twitter, writers’ forums, LinkedIn groups, or your own blog – but your presence there is very important. This community can be the blogs you visit on a regular basis or a favorite writer’s discussion board - whatever works for you. To connect and network with other bloggers and writers, visit the site regularly and contribute often.

Use social media -- Twitter, of course! “I use Twitter more for finding news topics, connecting to people, and promotion, rather than finding freelance jobs,” says Nick Belardes. “There are so many fellow journalists and news sources on Twitter who found my Twitter novel. I’ve done several interviews that I think have been really helpful in promoting me, which in turn helps promote my freelance work. Any press that we write or that we get for ourselves via social networking engines like Twitter helps writing careers.”

Find a blogging coach or mentor – but do not copy her blog style or ideas. When I first started freelance writing, I had lunch with a successful travel writer. While she picked at a salad, I picked her brains – and that one meeting was the beginning of my writing and blogging career. Since then, she’s been an invaluable source of support and information. If you want a blogging job, soak up the wisdom of successful bloggers – but never copy their blog styles or steal their ideas and add your own twist! Stand on the shoulders of giants, but forge your own path.

Follow a writing or blogging blog that is growing. My Quips and Tips blogs are growing too big -- they're more than I can handle, and I'm hiring bloggers. I posted my blogger job on Quips and Tips for Successful Writers (Want a Writing Job? Quips and Tips is Hiring Bloggers), and got tons of response. But I can't hire everyone...and you know who I approach first? Bloggers who email me directly and say how much they like my Quips and Tips blogs. I'm not looking for syncophants or suckups, but for people who really know my blogs. So, one of the best ways to find a blogging job is to get to know the growing bloggers!

What do you think of these ways to find blogging jobs? I welcome your comments below...

Best Ways to Get Out of Debt

The best ways to get out of debt depend on the reasons you're in debt, how much debt you have, and what kind of debt it is! So, though I've listed a few ways to get out of debt here, they may not apply to all people in all circumstances.

But, these tips could help you -- especially if you apply them to your life for at least a month.

Best Ways to Get Out of Debt

Understand your spending habits. The first step to get out of debt is to understand your saving and spending habits. To get your spending in control, use a small notebook or PDA to jot down every penny you spend for at least two weeks. This will help you identify the source of your financial problems.

Visualize financial abundance. Another way to get out of debt is to take a few minutes every day to imagine the new, debt-free you! Dream about how your discipline and new spending habits will pay off in the end. Sit back, close your eyes, and imagine a time when no requests for late payment arrive in the mail and there are no mounds of loans to pay back. Look forward to the results of planned savings, such as vacations, new furniture or even retirement.

Prioritize your bill payments. One of the biggest money mistakes people make is paying extra money because of the interest on their debt. Unless you pay off your debt the right way, you’ll never make any real progress. Pay off the debt on the bills that have the highest interest rates, then move on to the bills with lower interest rates.

Remember: small changes can have HUGE effects! There are a lot of small money saving techniques and strategies that can help you get out of debt. For instance, you can cut back on one coffee a day (approximately saving $4 per day). This is an easy way to start solving your money problems.


For more money help:

• The Best Ways to Earn Extra Money
• The Best Ways to Make Money Blogging

What do you think of these ways to get out of debt? Comments welcome below...

Best Ways to Earn Extra Money

What are the best ways to earn extra money? It depends on your skills, interests, current job, and even your blogging ability! Check these tips out -- you may find something you didn't even know you were looking for...

Best Ways to Earn Extra Money

Find ways to maximize your income. Are you due for a promotion or raise at work? Does your employment make full use of your education and training? Can you take courses that will elevate you to the next level in your career? Can you create sources of passive income? This all depends on your job situation, work environment, and even the city you live in…but it’s worth exploring.

Activate two money saving tips a month. There are smart ways to save money everywhere – the internet, books, your rich old aunt, on placemats at funky restaurants. Don’t try to implement every money tip you find; instead pick two a month. Focus on making those two tips a habit. In a month or six weeks, find two more money saving tips to work on. This way, you’re not overwhelmed with a million ways to save money – and you’re steadily progressing towards financial abundance.

Use a cash back credit card.  There are several types of credit cards rewards programs, but keep it simple. When you earn a dollar in rewards, take a dollar — instead of merchandise or vacations. The best way to use your credit card’s rewards program is to remember that you’re better off spending less money or earning more money, not accumulating more possessions or more debt. Points programs can be restrictive, and a free plane ticket can lead to an expensive hotel room and restaurant meals. Whether you get a statement credit or a check in the mail, remember that cash back makes more sense than other types of rewards.

Live from your vision, not your circumstances.  Creating a vision is difficult, but once you know what you want for your life (such as being credit card debt free, or paying off your mortgage), you have a framework for your future finances.  Your circumstances will never get you closer to your goal; only your vision can guide you towards what you want. If your goal is to earn extra money, act like someone who is already financially successful and responsible (and don’t go nuts with your credit card!). To achieve your financial goals, focus on what you want — not where you are.

For more money help:

• The Best Ways to Make Money Blogging
• The Best Ways to Get Out of Debt

What do you think of these ways to earn extra money -- can you think of better ways? I welcome your tips below!