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 Write a Book

Ask 10 different writers, and you'll get 10 different "best ways to write a book." Here are a few top tips for writing a book - which I suspect most writers will agree on.

If you're looking for different types of book tips, let me know below. I'd be happy to help!

Best Ways to Write a Book

Create a need to write your book. JK Rowling had to write to pay the bills. She was a single mom, desperate for income but unable to afford childcare. She was literally too hungry to be lazy — and she certainly didn’t need to increase her motivation to write! She needed to pay her bills and feed her kids. If you don’t have a need to write, create one. Do you need Starbucks frappucinos? Write 750 words first, then reward yourself with a coffee. For more tips from this bestselling author of the Harry Potter series, read Writing Quips and Tips From JK Rowling.

Write what you know. "Anything else will feel forced.I write children’s picture books, about shoes, dresses and trucks, time-outs, princesses and pirates," says Sue Fliess, author of Shoes for Me! "I have two young boys (5 and 7 years old)...and my world right now is my kids. I get at least one new idea for a story each week from them. And this year, my older son really became a proficient reader, so I find myself writing longer stories that might suit him. When I tackle a middle grade or young adult, I must tap into my 12 year old or 15 year old self and draw on my own memories. When I start writing from a place that is true to myself, my writing is better. I’m not winging it, and it does not feel forced, it feels real. Hopefully it will be real to the reader."

Learn why book manuscripts aren't published. If you're serious about not just finding the best ways to write a book but actually getting published, you need to learn why most books don't get published. In 17 Reasons Book Mansucripts Aren't Published, a panel of editors and publishers share their reasons for rejecting book manuscripts. Good reading for aspiring writers!

Remember that writing a book is hard work. Even if you have the best idea in the world, it doesn’t mean you can write a good book. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, you must learn about the aspect of the genre that may make your book a bestseller. You must know how to create an attention-getting introduction, end chapters with an intriguing hook, and write a page turner. You need to create interesting, believable characters and realistic settings, and build an excellent plot that leads to a gripping climax.

Fire up your determination. Determination is the will to continue writing, seeking an agent’s representation, meeting with your writer’s group, accepting rejections, and overcoming whatever stumbling blocks and difficulties you encounter along the way. If you’re determined to write your book despite what people say, what your internal critic says, and whatever doubts and fears you have, you quadruple your chances of success. Determination includes continually reading about writing and improving your writing skills.

If you lack motivation, you might find 73 Ways to Fire Up (or Just Fire!) the Muse helpful.

If you have any questions or thoughts about these best ways to write a book, please comment below...

Best Ways to Be Happy

Okay, I admit that the best ways to be happy for me aren't necessarily the best ways to be happy for you...but there may be a few tips that work for both of us!

If these happiness tips don't appeal to you, tell me what does in the comments section below...

Best Ways to Be Happy

Connect in real ways with other people. I’m not talking about making small talk at parties or with strangers. One of the best ways to be happy is to make connections that renew your spirit and soul. This means different things to different people – but you could interact with people less fortunate than you, perhaps by volunteering at a shelter or hospital. Connect spiritually at your church or temple. Connect with nature by taking a walk through a park or along the coast. Look into your dog or cat’s eyes, and connect on a soul level.

Be kind to others – and gentle with yourself. Ranking high in the studies of what helps people to be optimistic and happy is helping others. Recently, a customer in the drive-thru line at a Pittsburgh-area Starbucks paid for the coffee of the customer behind her. That customer was so pleased that she then paid for person behind her. The chain continued for two hours! You don’t have to make a grand gesture. To be happy, smile at someone on the street, hold a door open, wave someone into you lane on the freeway.

Accept yourself without judgment. Your mind is split between your ego and your spirit. The ego judges you, keeping you stuck. Your spirit or higher self, accepts you as you are. The more you can view yourself from your higher self, the less you are your ego. This way to be happy involves imagining that you are looking over your own shoulder, and watching without judgment. If part of you is watching ourselves without judgment, then there must be a part of yourself that isn’t negative. The more we can be the spirit that simply accepts, the less we become our ego.

Find direction in your life (aka your bliss). What makes you happy? What are you doing when you lose track of time? Who do you love spending time with? What did you want to be when you grew up? “Direction provides focus and inspiration and is the antidote to day-to-day monotony,” writes Robert Pagliarini in The Other 8 Hours: Maximize Your Free Time to Create New Wealth & Purpose. “In the real world, you achieve direction by creating compelling goals.” He says setting and achieving life goals provides feedback, which can fuel your motivation and inspiration.

To learn more about being happy, read How to Be Lucky - 10 Ways to Get Luckier in Life and Love.

What do you think of these "best" ways to be happy? Comments welcome below...

Best Ways to Make Small Talk

I was at a party last night, and used two of these four best ways to make small talk! They work -- but the trick is remembering them when you need them...maybe my next post should be the "best ways to remember the best ways to make small talk"...

Best Ways to Make Small Talk

Parrot the key phrases. Repeating certain words is a sure-fire way to keep conversations going. For instance, if your date says something like, “The last time I saw a live concert was in the 90’s, when I won tickets to Elton John.” This is the perfect time for you to say “Elton John?” or “concerts in the 90’s” or “live concerts.” More often than not, your date will keep talking about that topic. Try it — it works!

 

Pay attention to what he or she says. When you're making small talk, follow up on specific sentences. For instance, if she says she's "excellent" when you ask how she's doing, ask why – and ask where you can get some of that! If she says she's exhausted, follow up on it. When you're making small talk, remember that great conversations and good connections are yours if you show genuine interest.

Ask open-ended questions that require an explanation. For instance, “How are you?” isn’t an effective way to make small talk. It's better if you ask “Whatever happened with ‘__________’ “? or “The last time we spoke you said ________. What happened with that?” This tip is from 10 First Date Conversation Starters -- which isn't just about making small talk on dates!

Talk about the elephant in the corner. If you notice that there seems to be nothing to talk about, then your date is probably noticing the same thing. Talk about that! I use this as a conversation starter regularly: “Isn’t it awkward when you feel like you have nothing to say?” Then you’ll start talking about that – and you’ll both be more relaxed. Try it – it's one of the best ways to make small talk.

For more small talk tips, read Small Talk: The Art of Socialising.

What do you think of these ways to make small talk? I welcome your commentes 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 Deal With a Breakup

The best ways to deal with a breakup depend on why you broke up, how long the relationship lasted, who else is involved, and even how many breakups you've dealt with in the past. These ways to deal with a breakup are short and sweet, and they all lead to more tips for surviving breakups...

Best Ways to Deal With a Breakup

Take control — find ways to empower yourself. You can’t change how you feel or what happened between you and your ex, but you can control what you focus on! You can control what you do, what you talk about, and what you think about. Instead of obsessing about your broken heart, what happened when you dated your coworker, why you broke up, and how heartbroken you feel, focus on other aspects of your life. Think about where you want your life to go. Where do you want to be in one year, or five years? What are your career goals, your life plans? One of the best ways to deal with a breakup is to take a step back from your current path and look at your life in a new way.

Make a clean break from your ex. One of the standard breakup survival tips is to avoid contact with your ex. But if you work together, it can be difficult or even impossible to avoid each other! Find out if you can work in different departments or divisions. Ask if you can get a transfer to a different location – either in your city or in another state or province. Brainstorm ways to stay at your job and avoid contact with your ex.

Avoid the temptation to get revenge. If you’re angry and hurt because of the breakup, you may be tempted to get back at your ex. Maybe you want to spread rumors, criticize him to your coworkers, or talk about how disappointing he was in bed. Don’t do it! Resist the temptation to get revenge! Attempting to get back at him will backfire. Revenge only prolongs the painful feelings and makes you look bad.  To deal with a breakup at work, you need to focus on healthy ways to let go of someone you love.

Remember that dealing with a breakup doesn’t happen overnight. Letting go of the past isn’t something you do once – and poof! You’re free, healed, and happy! Rather, letting go is a journey peppered with steps forward and steps backward, good days and bad days. The trick is to hang on to those good moments and good days...and remember that eventually they'll outnumber the bad. For more tips on dealing with a breakup, read 10 Ways to Heal a Broken Heart.

What do you think of these "best ways to deal with a breakup? Comments welcome below...

Best Ways to Lose Belly Fat

Sometimes my "best ways to..." articles don't apply to everyone. But these "best ways to lose belly fat" are universally applicable -- which means they will work for you if you keep doing them! But remember: no tips for losing belly fat will work if you only do them once or twice.

So, try these on for size...and keep trying them for at least three months...

Best Ways to Lose Belly Fat

Count the empty chocolate wrappers or potato chip bags. This fat loss tip is based on food psychologists Brian Wansink’s research: keeping the empty wrappers right in front of you will remind you of how many treats you ate, which will encourage you to stop eating sooner than if you weren’t keeping track. It’s easy to keep mindlessly munching the mini chocolate bars and bags of potato chips – and forget how quickly the calories are add up! Keep the evidence of your snacking in plain view.

Change the order in which you eat food. Instead of eating the French fries and burger first, fill up on a large salad with no salad dressing. Then, if you have room, go for a bit of the burger and fries. And, don’t eat the boring iceburg lettuce salads with cucumber! I put apple chunks, red and orange peppers, spinach, red onions, orange chunks, pumpkin seeds, and raisons on my salads. The idea is to eat more veggies and fruits, and eat less carbs, starches, and fat. You don’t want to eliminate fat entirely – it’s good for your brain, hair, and body cells – but you do want to stick to small portions of healthy fats.

Pause for 10 seconds before you eat anything. When I ask, “Should we have some chocolate?”, my hubby pauses. He thinks for at least ten seconds. He checks in with his stomach. He checks with his head. I don’t know what he’s thinking about exactly, but he doesn’t just say “okay!” One of the best ways to lose belly fat is to think before you eat.

Identify your eating triggers — and find out what works for you. I tend to munch mindlessly right after lunch, especially when I feel anxious or scared about work (I’m a full-time freelance writer and blogger, and I get stressed!). I could sit in front of Judge Marilyn and eat granola, nuts, popcorn, sunflower seeds, and chocolate chips for hours — especially if I have a difficult article assignment. But I’ve achieved my weight loss goals by finding my own best ways to lose weight. Over time I’ve learned what does and does not work for me, and I keep doing what works.

What do you think of these ways to lose belly fat? Comments welcome below...

For more tips, read Best Ways to Lose Weight and Keep It Off.