Saving money is easier said than done, and for a wage earner struggling to make both ends meet, this can be frustrating. Here are some less painful ways to save money and still live comfortably, albeit without the luxuries.
Know What You're Spending On
When you get your paycheck, you already foresee what will be left of it after you've paid your bills. You still have to stock up on groceries and perishables before the next payday, put aside money for gas, and do a balancing act with the remaining amount. Normally you would always have a few dollars carefully stashed in one of your money clip wallets, just in case you'll need to meet some emergency expense.
If you're still wondering why, despite the increase in pay, you're still floundering with your budget, a little review of your spending habits should be done if you want to find where you are spending your money. True, it is tedious to be listing down everything you spend on when even a $1 candy bar has to be entered into the journal so you can see where your money is going.
Once you've discovered your spending habits, face up to it and trim the fat. Here are some small items that eat up your budget and that you can do without:
* Newspapers
* Cigarettes
* Family dinners out
* Movies
* Spending for coffee in the office
* Buying office lunch
* Unnecessary use of the car
Calculate how much you spend on each item and add them up. You'll be aghast at the amount you're spending unnecessarily.
Drastic Money Saving Tips
Credit cards - Stop using your credit card for small purchases. Pay household utilities and groceries in cash. The interest adds up to the unwanted expense list if you don't pay your credit card debt on time. Ditch other cards and use only one with the lowest interest rate. Pay your existing credit card debts before the interest balloons into unmanageable proportions. If your credit card debt is screaming to be paid, pay it. In the meantime, lower your expenses so you can channel the money to debt repayment.
Electricity - Change all household bulbs to lower wattage. Designate one room for a common workplace where everybody can read, do their lessons, use the computer, or catch up with office work. Schedules for every chore should be followed strictly and lights should be off at 10PM, with the exception of the common room where everybody can work.
Heating - Of course, it would be inhumane to cut off heating costs. Still, you can cut cost by cleaning your vents regularly. Another drastic effort is to lower the thermostat when you take your shower. You can lower your heating bills by 15%. If you have five children, that's a lot of money saved.
Water - Instead of soaking in a tub, use the shower. Instead of fancy soaps, use anti-allergenic soaps for the whole family, unless there is a family member who needs special soap formulas.
Gas - Don't drive yourself to the nearest store - walk! Get public transport to work and see how much you save on gas in a week's time. Sometimes laziness and the love for expedience takes over one's will to forego some conveniences. Save the car and the gas for important or urgent missions.
Observing these drastic money saving tips can save you lots of money. Add it all up (gas, electricity, water, heating, and credit card interests) both monthly and annually. It's a wonder you didn't know where your money went all those years. In these difficult times, the profligate spending should be nipped because you can never be too sure of what lies ahead. If you look at the statistics you'll see that the chances of surviving infidelity in your relationship or marriage are pretty lousy.
With all your emotions in turmoil, the anger, betrayal, guilt, remorse and confusion normally make it impossible to be rational so the chances of reconciliation are pretty slim. In such emotionally charged times couples are unable to think straight or consider that there could be light at the end of the tunnel. And so invariably they split up. But that doesn't have to be the case.
In fact relationship counsellors will tell you that most couples who do succeed in surviving infidelity in their relationship end up stronger than they ever were before. So what do those couples do that the majority don't?
Firstly they recognise that dealing with infidelity will not be easy and they're prepared to give each other time and space on their own to come to terms with their situation. They don't act on impulse and take time to decide what they truly want as individuals first. They forget all the outside influences and work out what 's best for them. Then, if they both decide they would like to give their relationship another chance they make a commitment to be open with each other and to work things through together.
Understanding infidelity
Understanding the root cause of the infidelity can be the first stepping stone. It 's usually caused when someone craves something they're not getting in their relationship. Some of their 'needs' are not being met.People are often surprised to learn that by definition, there 's more than one type of infidelity. Sexual infidelity happens when you or your partner go elsewhere for physical excitement.
Emotional infidelity on the other hand involves sharing deep affection with someone other than your partner or spouse. There may not be any physical connection involved, even though this can often be what instigates it. Mental infidelity is the least obvious but often the most common. This involves thinking or fantasising about someone else but choosing not to take it any further. It has to be said though that mental infidelity is often the start of the other two.If you accept all three definitions you might find that you've been guilty of infidelity in your relationship or marriage without even realising it! This is why communication is so essential, so that you are aware of your partner 's beliefs, principles and boundaries.
Dealing with infidelity
Here are some hints on how to heal your relationship when it 's been affected by infidelity.
1. If you're the cheating partner you must be sympathetic to what your partner is going through, be patient and start to take steps to win back their trust.
2. It sounds easy to say, but you'll achieve a lot more if you can avoid anger as much as possible. Negative emotions will get in the way of the recovery process.
3. As controversial as it may seem, if you're the betrayed partner it 's essential for surviving infidelity that you are prepared to look at how you were performing in the relationship. You have to accept responsibility for anything you did or were doing that might have contributed towards what happened
4. If you're the betrayed partner you must be willing to forgive and accept for the relationship to survive.
5. Communication is essential. Share the experiences and emotions that you both went through as well as those that you continue to experience.
6. By communicating, find out what was lacking in your relationship before and what you need to do together to put that right.
7. Don't expect dealing with infidelity to be easy or for there to be a quick fix. It takes a lot of time and effort by both of you and will always be an ongoing process. There will always be 'triggers' that come up, however far you've moved on.
Surviving infidelity
Many couples who are successful in surviving infidelity will tell you that their relationship afterwards is stronger than it ever was before.The affection and love that you have for each other will be more intense considering the sensitive situation that you've been through together and survived.If the line of communication is opened daily, new ideas, emotions and interests will come up giving a new side to your relationship or marriage. Relationships and marriages are governed by the universal laws just like everything else.. The more you put into them, the more you will get out of them.
By definition, Bridging Finance or Bridging Loan is a short-term loan used to purchase commercial property. This is something that can come in very handy, depending on your particular situation. There are two main points that you need to consider before you opt for a Bridging Finance package, your needs and the state of the property market.
One of the major benefits of Bridging Finance is that it will allow you to close on a property and purchase a new property before you sell your existing one. You will need to evaluate your current situation to determine if your needs justify taking on this type of finance. Will you lose the new property if you can't offer a deposit? Would you be eligible for a discount on the purchase price if you can come up with the cash fast?
What are the existing market conditions in regard to the sale of your existing property? Is it going to be possible to sell your existing property in the time frame set out in your finance package? Most Bridging Finance typically runs for one year and will need to be paid in full at the end of the term unless it is possible to convert it into a Commercial Loan. You will also need to be aware that the interest rates will be higher on a Bridging Finance package.
If the market is slow and you do not have an urgent need for the new property, it may not be in the best interest of your business to take on this type of loan. On the other hand if the property market conditions are good, you can be out from under a Bridging Loan fast. However, it is still something that will need to make sense for your business.
If you feel taking on this type of loan is the right thing to do, you will be far better off going through a specialist Commercial Lender.
They will shorten the entire process as a specialist will know the market and they can quickly make a judgment on the best loan for you, based on your particular circumstances. Be sure to check that the loan can be converted into a conventional Commercial Finance package. You will also want to check on the type of interest rate and the costs you will entail if you do have to convert.
Most Commercial Lenders will be willing to extend the terms of your Bridging Finance package. Let 's say, for example, you have a buyer and you are waiting for the sale to close. Bridging Finance in general is much more flexible and accommodating than you might expect in this respect.
Paying back your Bridging Loan at the end of the loan term more often than not depends on your ability to sell your existing property. If it does not sell in the required time, you will be paying the existing loan on your current property, your new property and the newly converted Bridge Finance as well. If you believe this may be a possibility be sure to take a package that can be converted to a Commercial Loan if the need arises. Otherwise you may have to come up with the full Loan sum at the end of the finance term.
