Foreclosure rates rose by four percent in July. There were an additional 325,229 filings which is almost ten percent higher than compared to July 2009. It marked the 17th straight month of foreclosures over the 300,000 mark. “Declines in new default notices, which were down on a year-over-year basis for the sixth straight month in July, have been offset by near-record levels of bank repossessions, which increased on a year-over-year basis for the eighth straight month,” James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac, said in a statement according to TheHill.com.

There is free help out there for people who are worried, concerned or fearful that a foreclosure may be looming in their future. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is offering a free DVD called Avoiding Foreclosure. Here is a description of the free DVD provided on nfcc.org:

Avoiding Foreclosure is a consumer education DVD that introduces you to four clients who found themselves in mortgage trouble for different reasons and sought assistance from an NFCC-certified housing counselor. The DVD does several things. First, it introduces consumers to some of the terms and scenarios they are likely to encounter as they work to save their own home. Second, it familiarizes consumers with the process of avoiding foreclosure. Third, it shows examples of a variety of life situations and challenges facing individuals and families who are facing foreclosure and what they did (with the help of an NFCC-certified housing counselor) to address it.

Some NHCC agencies also offer free counseling for home owners. Just search for counselors in your area to see what services are available.

There are still five months left of 2010, and there is still time to save up for the holidays. Here are 10 simple tips from MoneyTalksNews.

1. Lower your cell phone bill. It’s really not that difficult. Pay attention to how many minutes you are using. If you aren’t using them all, just switch to a cheaper plan. That could be a savings of 100 bucks by Christmas.

2. Get rid of your land line. If you do this, you can save up to $140. Want to keep it? Then go with a package with your Internet provider. It’s cheaper than the phone company. Also, take a look at Magic Jack. You can get unlimited calling for $2 per month, says MoneyTalksNews.

3. Staycation instead of a vacation. Explore your local area and save lots of money. You can still take a break from work and turn off the cell phone and computer. You can save $1,000 if you stay local.

4. Raise your insurance deductibles. Decide what you can afford to pay out of pocket and see what you can save. It could be as much as $250.

5. Get rid of the gym membership. Buy some cheap weights and work out at home. Or you can go for a jog or do some workout videos. You might save $150!

6. Drop cable or at least the premium channels.  My husband and I decided not to get cable this time around and we’re saving big. You can save $60 to $600.

7. Sell some stuff. Go through your closets and get rid of clothes, CDs, books and even furniture. There are consignment shops, eBay, Craigs List or have a yard sale.

8. Save on food. Do some research, clip coupons and you can save hundreds on food.

9. Haggle.  Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Ask for a better interest rate on your credit card, see if you can lower your cable bill or next time you stay in a hotel negotiate with them too.

10.  Just carry cash with you. If you don’t carry credit cards, you’ll be surprised how much you can save in your pocket by Christmas. This will help you avoid impulse buys.

After 25 years in the Information Technologies field, Kim Staudenraus felt like something was missing. She wanted to be doing more to help others. In 2006 Kim decided it was time to begin to change her career path. She had a passion to help others live a better life, a life without the stress of debt. She attended training with Dave Ramsey and the Lampo Group and became a Certified Money Management Coach. She started Tranquility Financial Visioning, LLC, began coaching and mentoring others on how to live a life free of debt, improve their income as well as family situation. You can follow her tweets @LifeandFinances and her blog at TranquilityFinancial.com. And today you can learn a little bit more about her in our Twitter Tuesday Profile.

OODC: How did you get started blogging and tweeting?
@LifeandFinances: When I began my money management coaching business I realized I was limited to helping only those who engaged in my services. I started my blog to touch as many other people as possible who were seeking money management help. I first started blogging under my personal blog, KimStaudenraus.com and soon realized that I needed a blog that was focused more on finances, that is when I expanded TranquilityFinancial.com to include a blog.

As far as Tweeting, I am fairly new to that, and again, use it as another great avenue to spread the word of debt free living.

OODC: You work as a financial coach. Do you think everyone who has financial problems could use a financial coach?
@LifeandFinances:This is a great question. Quick answer is yes, if someone has a problem they most likely need some coaching or mentoring from an experienced non-biased third party to help them get a different perspective, provide some recommendations and encouragement to help them out of their problem.

OODC:Do I think everyone with financial problems needs to “pay” for a coach?
@LifeandFinances:No. At least not at first. So many times people in financial distress are very quick to throw money at their problem because they are desperate for help. Some think that help from a coach might be a “quick fix” to their problem.

I encourage those with financial problems to first seek out free help by reading financial blogs as well as through a forum or email discussion with a reputable money coach who has the goal of mentoring and teaching people the basics of money management, dealing with creditors and related financial situations. This way they are able to get to know the coach a bit as well as get an idea of the type of changes they may need to make to their lifestyle before investing with a coach.

Similar to any type of problem, before coaching will be successful one has to admit they have a financial problem and be willing and ready to make changes to solve that problem. If after understanding the type of changes they may need make and willingness to make those changes, that is when I would encourage a fee based coaching or mentoring option. It is very difficult to get out of debt without some third party support and encouragement.

OODC:I’m sure you’ve helped a lot of people gain financial freedom. Can you share one of your biggest success stories with us?
@LifeandFinances:I would love to. I had a couple in their late 50’s. They were $35k in credit card debt. They had more than just financial trouble they were in a marital crisis due to their finances. The husband was a very proud man, and in no way wanted to be a part of the coaching process but he loved his wife dearly and that is why he was there. His wife was the one who knew they were not only headed toward a financial disaster but divorce as well.

Both were so unhappy with the situation they had stopped communicating, they basically had giving up on each other and were drowning their sorrow by buying “stuff” they could not afford just to get a brief shot of “happiness” at least until the next credit card bill came.

Not only did I work out a budget for them, as well as recommend some things to sell, I also encourage them to begin reading and going through the workbook “Love & Respect” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I did this to help open up their lines of communication again. When it comes to a couple and money, it is imperative that both spouses are on the same page and communicating openly about money in order for financial freedom to be achieved in a marriage.

This couple had to learn all over again how spend properly and manage money, but they also had to relearn how to be a couple, to work together. Well, to make a long story short, they are now debt free except for their home, their plan is to have that paid off in 4 years and retired totally debt free.

Yes, their financial success was great, but what really made this a success story for me is that they are a communicating happy couple again.

OODC:What do you hope people gain from reading your blog?
@LifeandFinances:First and foremost “hope” regardless of the situation you are in, there is always hope, especially through the help of Jesus Christ. Secondly, you are not alone. Many people think “we are the only one in this situation”. My goal through blogging is to show that you are not alone and that success is possible for everyone regardless of how much debt there is or how dire the situation appears.

OODC:Who are some of your favorite money tweeters?
@LifeandFinances:@christianpf, @MH4Christians, @moolanomy, @paidtwice, @FrugalHacks, @providentplan, @DebtProofLiving.

Thanks again to @LifeandFinances for being part of this week’s Twitter Tuesday Profile. Want to be considered for an upcoming profile? Just tweet me!

Everyone knows, I go to great lengths to save money. I wait until after 3pm to buy my Sunday paper so I can save $.50. I never go to a store without searching for a coupon first. I always attempt to haggle on major purchases. But there are some money-saving practices that seem to be crossing the line. What do you think? Would you ever do any of these things to save money?

“Borrowing” Music and Movies from File Sharing Sites

Some people hate the idea of spending a buck on a song, every time they want something new loaded on to their iPod. But is it really fair to get that music or movies for free using file sharing websites?

Taking More Than You Need

You may not want to spend the money on plastic silverware or napkins, but is it really ethical to take more than you need when you’re at the fast food joint?

Re-Gifting

If you get a gift you don’t want, is it OK to save money by giving it to someone else? It may be tacky, but is it wrong?

Using Fraudulent Coupons

Photocopying coupons is not allowed. But plenty of people do it, hoping that a rushed cashier won’t notice. There are also lots of people that create fraudulent coupons so they can save money on products they need. Isn’t this the same as stealing?

There are lots of factors that go into trying to get your house sold. When competing against other homes in your price range sometimes it can help to offer incentives for buyers. It can be a great way to convince buyers to choose your home over others in the market. There are several options for choosing incentives:

Paying Points

Offering to pay some or all of the origination points for the buyer can be a huge savings. These fees, charged by lenders, are equal to one percent of the total loan amount and typically ranges from zero to three points, depending on the interest rate.

Buying Down the Interest Rates

With interest rates at historic lows, this may not be a widely used incentive. But it is possible to buy a lower interest rate by paying additional points in the beginning. Offering to pay down the interest rate will help your home seem more attractive to cost-conscious buyers.

Home Warranty

A home warranty can be added protection against costly upgrades and fixes. The buyer will have additional peace of mind knowing that major appliances and core systems are covered by a warranty. Warranties are usually only a few hundred dollars.

Covering Closing Costs

Buyers these days may be required to put more cash down on the home they purchase. That means that offering to pay closing costs could be a big help. It will save them several thousand dollars and may be the reason why they choose your home over others.

Money for Upgrades

If your home needs new carpet or appliances you may want to consider giving the buyer cash for these. They’ll enjoy being able to pick out the products they want and not having to pay for them.

Musicians are coming together to raise money for the victims of a May flood that caused more than $2 billion in damage. Super stars Faith Hill and her husband Tim McGraw are organizing the Nashville Rising concert. “The musicians on stage have gone through it. Some of them have lost every instrument they ever owned, and some in the audience have lost their homes and their businesses. So we’ve been through this together, and we’re going to pull ourselves up,” Hill told Yahoo! News.

Performers include McGraw, Hill, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Lynyrd Skynrd, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and ZZ Top. Perfomer Julie Roberts is one of the flood’s victims, too. “We went upstairs to the second floor and had to wait to be rescued for about 5 1/2, 6 hours. We lost our home that day. We lost all of our belongings, all of our cars, but we were rescued and my four dogs were rescued,” she told Yahoo!. In addition to losing her home she broke her ankle. “It can heal. I’m alive and my mom’s alive and my sister’s alive, and I’m here to talk about it, and I’m here to sing tonight. So I feel very blessed.”

Ellen Lehman, president of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, says Nashville’s flood victims are starting to feel a major financial pinch. “Since the flood, (families) are not only required to pay their mortgage and the rest of their bills, but they’re also needing to pay rent,” she told Yahoo! News. “Going forward…they’re going to have to find the money to rebuild. That is a huge unexpected burden, and there will be people who can’t financially put together a package that will allow them to do that, and they’re going to have to walk away from their homes.” More than 37,000 people have filed claims with FEMA. Concert organizers hope to raise $2 million to help.

We’re all looking for great deals, but there are some things we need to watch out for, according to CBS Money Watch. There is always some fine print that we need to be aware of or things to watch out for. Here is a list that Money Watch put together of eight phony bargains and better alternatives.

1. Unlimited Long Distance: We’ve all been hearing the term “bundle” from the different companies. However if you don’t make a lot of long distance calling, you may be wasting your money. CBS says a bundle plan often costs about 20 bucks more than a local plan, so just evaluate your long distance and see if it’s really worth it. As an alternative, buy long-distance service from a reseller like Pioneer Telephone or maybe sign up for a voice over Internet protocol from a carrier such as Vonage.

2. Frequent Flyer Rewards Cards: Many of these benefits have been shrinking. More miles are needed, there are less flight schedules and there might be booking fees. You might also have to pay annual fees that might not make it worth it. A better deal is to get some cash-reward cards instead, suggests CBS. Blue Cash from American Express offers up to 5 percent cash back on purchases.

3. Checking Accounts That Pay Interest: With this deal, you may only get 0.13 percent interest, but it requires high minimums. So forget about interest from checking accounts and look for a no-fee checking account. You can also shop around for banks and credit unions with good deals.

4. Overdraft Protection: This can be just a way for banks to earn some extra cash. Now the government has passed rules that will require banks to get your approval before making you take overdraft protection. An alternative is setting up a savings account that’s linked to your checking. Funds can be transferred if you have an overdraft.

5. Extended Warranty Protection: Experts say DO NOT buy these for appliances and electronics and products don’t usually break within that time frame. You can actually check with your credit card and they may extend the warranty for a year.

6. Going-Out-Of-Business Sales: You may not really be getting a great deal like you expected, says CBS. You might even be better off buying from another business that is trying to compete with them. Check out Price Grabber, Price Spider or Shopping and do some comparison shopping.

7. Paying for a Credit Report: FreeCreditReport.com really isn’t what it says. Order a report and you get a 7-day free trial membership, but if you don’t cancel they bill you per month. Take a look at Annual Credit Report instead. It’s truly free. You can also go to Credit Karma.

8. Fraud Alerts: CBS says do not pay for identity-theft-protection services. You can do it yourself and it’s free. Just review your statements regularly and look for unauthorized charges. Only use fraud alerts if your wallet was stolen or something else happened.

As we continue discussing organizing our finances, let’s remember the reason why we are doing it and then start a list of your accounts. Joe Sangl, financial advisor, has shared part three and four of the steps on his website.

Part Three: Information to include on your financial accounts form (a link was provided in the previous post)

Investment Accounts – Include your 401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP, Roth IRA, IRA, stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

Bank Accounts – This means your checking, savings, money market, CDs and any others with a credit union or bank.

Real Estate – Make sure you list the addresses and the financial status of them.

Will – Bankrate says 58 percent of Americans do not have a will. You need one, says Sangl.

Power of Attorney – Healthcare POA, Limited POA and any other legal assignments.

Insurance Policies – Make sure you include life insurance and insurance on possessions.

Valuables – List jewelry and other valuables and their locations.

Safe Deposit Box – List it if you have one and where it is located.

Part Four: Finding free or cheap resources

You can find a free healthcare power of attorney with AnMed Health Center here. There are many free legal documents like a will and power of attorney. If you have a lot of assets, Sangl suggests meeting with an attorney. Good luck!

There are many reasons why it’s important to get your finances in order, according to Joe Sangl, a financial blogger and author at my church. I know we are all busy, but if we take the time to get organized it can make a world of difference.

Part One: Understand why you are doing it to begin with.

Sangl lists some reasons why you should get organized financially:

Control – It’s hard for the finances to run out of control when you are focusing intently on your financial affairs.

Improved Financial Focus – We tend to improve what we focus our attention on.

We will all die one day – Why not have it all organized for our family?

Part Two: Prepare a list of all your financial accounts.

I am actually not as organized as I would like to be in many areas of my life. But with a little one on the way, I am making sure things are in order around the house and financially. Making a list of all your financial accounts will probably be challenging, says Sangl. Gather your financial statements so you can put together a one or two page document that details your finances. Here is a Free Tool (Financial Accounts Form (MS Word) or Financial Accounts Form (PDF)) to help!

I had the pleasure of attending Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership event last week in Charleston, South Carolina. It was a day packed full of great lessons for entrepreneurs. I’d like to share a few of my favorite parts from the day staring with the lesson on time management and organization.

Going through this lesson highlighted some big ways that I waste time throughout my day. For starters, I constantly check email. I basically have my email account open and every time a new message appears I read it. This is a huge time-waster for me because it distracts me and throws me off course, taking me away from more productive activities. I have a similar problem with social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Rather than setting aside specific blocks of time for these activities, I use them as a crutch for avoiding tasks that may not be quite as enjoyable, but that are far more important. So now I am setting aside certain times in my day for brief email and social networking checks. Dave says each task falls into one of four quadrants:

I. Quadrant of Necessity: Things like a crisis at work or an emergency fall into this category. It represents tasks that are both important and urgent. These are activities you should do.

II. Quadrant of Leadership: Items that fall into this area include preparation, planning, relationship building, reading, prayer, and exercise. The items in this quadrant have low urgency but are very important. These are activities you should do.

III. Quadrant of Deception: Examples of tasks that fall into this category include someone else’s crisis, phone calls and interruptions. These are activities you should delegate.

IV. Quadrant of Default/Waste: These items are not important or urgent. They include watching TV, gossiping or doing anything in excess. These items should be discarded completely or delegated.

One point to consider is that everything that is in the second quadrant will be moved to quadrant one if it is ignored. For instance, if you ignore your health by eating poorly or not exercising that will become an urgent situation. Dave Ramsey highlighted the importance of a to-do list saying that studies have shown spending 15 minutes every morning on a To-Do list will give you an average of two hours a day in productivity. Some tips for saving time and being more productive include:

* Avoiding meetings that wander
* Preparing for meetings ahead of time
* Keeping your desk organized daily

Next Lesson: Finding Financial Peace in your Business

Would you do the same job for less money? Dozens of America’s top executives would. According to Reuters, when the government slashed executive salaries at US companies that benefited from bailout funds, most stayed. Despite predictions that they’d leave for better money somewhere else, most of the executives stayed, earning pay at levels far below industry averages and much lower than they were used to. In fact 85 percent of the executives stayed with their companies.

Officials say they’ve told AIG, General Motors Co, GMAC Inc, Chrysler Group LLC and Chrysler Financial Corp to lower salaries for 2010 by one-third. However, companies like Bank of America and Citigroup have repaid the bailout money they received which means they’re not subject to as much regulation in salaries.

I have many friends who have experienced pay cuts, furloughs and loss of benefits in the past year. But I’ve also had other friends who have lost their jobs altogether. I don’t know of any friends who used reduced pay as a primary reason to leave their job, but it may have been a factor. I think deciding whether or not to stay when a company announces pay cuts largely depends on how the subject is approached. For companies who cut pay to certain employees, but not executives, it’s a bit harder to swallow. But for companies who announce cuts with positive attitude that lets everyone know all employees are in this together it may be more motivation to pitch in and turn the situation around. What do you think– would you do the same job for less money?

The Bible teaches us many things about money. We have a pastor of financial planning at our church in South Carolina and his business continues to grow as he travels around the country teaching others how to handle their finances in a Biblical manner. The Sun Sentinel in Florida recently wrote an article about the increase in Christian-debt elimination programs.

Seminars are now being offered at churches throughout the U.S., according to the article. Our financial pastor, Joe Sangl, is traveling to churches in areas such as Missouri, Florida, Kentucky and many others sharing his Financial Learning Experience. In South Florida, Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University has been very popular. There are 4,000 churches that have started offering the classes throughout the country.

A spokeswoman for Ramsey said the average family pays off $5,300 in debt after taking the class. And they save $2,700 within three months. With the recession it seems people are definitely finding these classes appealing.

According to Crown Financial Ministries, the Bible offers more than 2,000 verses related to money. Sangl and Ramsey both discuss Bible verses in their classes. Sangl’s class schedule: New Life Center in Bridgeton, MO March 6 and 7. New Spring Church in Greenville, SC March 11, Cowee Baptist Church in Franklin, NC March 14 and Main Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, KY March 20-21. Check out Ramsey’s website and you can type in your zip code to find a class near you. You can also attend online.

Here are some websites that I found that might be helpful as you follow a Biblical-based financial plan:

Christian Financial Planner

Biblical Stewardship

Crown Financial Ministries

Christian Money

The CBS Early Show recently featured the CEO of Billshrink who discussed the many things that we tend to pay way too much for.

Non Bank ATM Fees

You can pay an average of about $3.50 every time you have to use an out-of-network ATM, says Peter Pham, with Billshrink. According to Bankrate, Americans pay more than $4 billion in ATM fees per year. Pham offers this tip: take some time to search for a bank with a good ATM policy.

Credit Card Late Fees/Overdraft Fees

All of these fees can really add up, says Pham. Consider a card with an annual fee. A fee could save you thousands in interest rates. Also, try to cut back on the amount of cards that you have. Consolidate your debt into one or two cards, says the article. Watch out for “processing fees” as well.

Car Maintenance at the Dealership

I learned my lesson when I was young and didn’t know any better and continued to take my car to the dealership. Now, I ask around and find a reputable locally-owned garage. Almost $9,500 is the average amount spent by Americans to maintain their car each year. Those repairs can often be done by a local shop. And you’re helping out your fellow neighbor. Negotiating a job is also easier when you are at a mom-and-pop shop. Another tip from Pham: check out a local community college and see if they have an automotive technical program.

Pseudo Health Products

Watch out for fad health foods. Check the ingredients. They may not really be as healthy as you think and are often more expensive. Think about making some of your own healthy snacks, suggests Pham.

Cell Phone Plans

According to the article, 80 percent of us overpay on our plans. The biggest reason is people don’t really know how much they use texting, voice minutes and data. Many more people are getting family plans to help. Sit down and go through your cell phone bill. Look into a family plan, look at who you call the most and see which carrier they are with. Take advantage of the free phones they often offer with contracts and get rid of those services you really don’t use, says the article.

If you’re a fan of Dave Ramsey you often hear people call into his radio show, telling Dave their stories of paying stupid tax. It’s basically just money that people have essentially thrown away because they didn’t know any better. Some examples of stupid tax are:

* Someone leased a car only to end up owing a balloon payment at the end of the lease terms.
* Someone signed up for a service only to realize they couldn’t get out of it without paying way too much money.
* Someone used their credit cards and racked up big amounts of debt.
* Someone didn’t pay their taxes or a parking fine and ended up owing way more than they would have if they just paid right away.
* Someone gets stuck in a cycle of needing payday advance loans and ends up paying high interest rates because of it.
* Someone consistently pays lots of money to the bank in overdraft fees each month because they can’t get a handle on their finances.

Just about all of us have paid stupid tax at some point (or several times) in our lives. My biggest payment of stupid tax happened because I decided to dabble in the stock market. I had some extra cash and thought it would be a good investment. I put about $3000 into one single stock which tanked. I paid what I would call a hefty stupid tax to learn that someone who doesn’t follow stocks closely and doesn’t know much at all about the stock market should not invest thousands into a single stock on a whim. It’s pretty much like playing the lottery, only the ticket costs a lot more than $1.

Have you paid stupid tax?

In today’s tough economy it can be difficult to put away some cash and keep it there. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, the personal saving rate in December was 4.8 percent, up from 4.5 percent in November. The personal saving rate is calculated by subtracting what Americans spend from what they make. A recent article in Florida Today newspaper discussed the importance of saving.

Motivation:

Emergencies are one of the most important reasons to save some cash. The next reason should be retirement and then saving up for something you really want like a new car or television. Here’s a rule of thumb: have enough money to live on for six to 12 months. And it’s important to consistently put money into it, says the article.

Teaching Kids:

I remember getting my first piggy bank and I was so excited when I was able to drop a few dimes or quarters into it. Encouraging our kids to start saving early is important for their future. Here’s a tip: teach them to divide any money they earn or get into two piles. put half in the bank and keep the other half or spend it. Also, teaching kids how credit cards work is important as well. According to a 2008 Sally-Mae credit card study, college seniors graduated with an average of more than $4,100 in credit card debt.

Stick to a Plan:

Keep to a budget no matter how difficult things may seem. Continue contributing to your 401(k) and continue stashing away some cash. When it comes to retirement, start saving NOW, says the article. First, you can analyze your spending and expenses. Try cutting back and look for free entertainment or cook more at home. One thing my husband and I do is keep loose change in jars. When they fill up, you can take them to the bank.

Easy Ways to Save:

$15: Amount you can save each month if you stash 50 cents a day in loose change.

$6: You can save this amount per month if you cut back on soda by 1 liter per week.

$40: Monthly amount you can save if you switch from cappuccino to regular coffee.

$25: Your monthly savings if you pa your credit card bill on time.

Check out America Saves for some more tips and help.

About a year ago Cinda Baxter wrote a blog post about the importance of supporting local businesses. Soon that idea blossomed into what is now The 3/50 Project. Here’s the lowdown:

3: Think of three local businesses that you love. What would happen if they shut down? Make a commitment to stop into those stores this month.

50: If half the employed population spent $50 a month in those businesses that would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.

Wondering what’s the big deal with shopping locally compared to shopping in chain stores? Well much more of your money sticks around your community when you shop in locally owned stores. According to the 3/50 project, for every $100 you spend in local shops, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other ways. If you spend that same $100 in a chain store, only $43 stays local.

Here’s how you can support local businesses through the 3/50 Project:

1. Find out who’s involved in your community. The 3/50 Project has a list of local businesses who are supporting this movement according to each state. Search for those in your area and do your part to get behind them.

2. Become a supporter. Even if you don’t own a local brick and mortar shop, you can still be a supporter. Print out the free flyers, hand them out and spread the word.

3. Promote the movement. There are also ways you can promote the movement through social media. If you have a blog, consider putting a badge promoting The 3/50 Project on your website. You can even promote the movement on your Facebook page.

Still feel like you need more information about the benefits of shopping local? Check out the frequently asked questions page of The 3/50 Project.

Suze Orman has talked about tracking spending, looking at your credit, shopping for insurance deals, finding a credit union and challenging our property-tax assessment in her article in O, The Oprah Magazine this month. Now, her final topic is saving and being prepared for the future.

Build Security

1. Boost your emergency fund to cover eight months of living expenses. Hopefully you are saving a bit of money here and there. Now you need to have at least eight months’ worth of living expenses, says the article. Check out myfdicinsurance for information on banks and ncua for credit unions. Make sure you have your money in a place that is federally insured.

2. Get the maximum 401 (k) match at your job. Call your human resources department or the company that is in charge of the plan. Increase your contribution so you qualify for the max match, says Orman.

3. Roll over 401(k)s from former employers into an IRA. I made the mistake of not taking this advice and was left with quite a bit less money in my pocket. When you leave a job, you can roll it over to a brokerage or fund firm. Roll it all over into an IRA. Pick a discount brokerage or no-load mutual fund company.

4. Fund a Roth IRA. In 2010 the maximum is $5,000 ($6,000 if you’re 50 or older) for individuals with modified adjusted gross income below $105,000 and married couples filing a joint return with MAGI below $167,000. Find out if there is a program that lets you invest small monthly sums of $50.

5. Leave your retirement funds alone. If you’re dipping into your retirement money to help pay bills now, when it runs out then what will you do? You still have money problems and then your retirement is gone. Go to moneychimp and click on the calculator tab. Under “current principal” enter the value of your 401(k). Orman says leave “annual addition” blank. For “years to grow” enter the difference between your age and 65. For “interest rate” use 5 percent. Look at the future value. The difference between that and the current value is what you’d be giving up by cashing it out, says the article.

6. Convert to a Roth IRA. Since the beginning of this year, anyone can convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Money in a Roth can be withdrawn for retirement with no taxes. If you take money out of a traditional one, you will be taxed. Orman says if you have deductible and non deductible traditional IRAs, ask a CPA to determine your tax liability.

To ask Suze Orman a question, you can go to Oprah Magazine’s website.

Suze Orman continues to give money advice in O, The Oprah Magazine this month. Her list “guaranteed to be ridiculously easy to implement” has several bits of advice. The first was track your spending, calculate your net worth and check your credit.

Find Hidden Savings

1. Shop for insurance deals. We’re always shopping around looking for great bargains, right? So, do the same for auto and home insurance. Just don’t reduce your level of coverage. These websites insweb and netquote can help you find quotes from different insurers.

2. Raise your insurance deductibles. If you raise your auto and home deductibles to $1,000, your premium cost falls 10 percent or more. Low deductibles can cause you to make claims for small-ticket items. There is also a nice payoff for a higher deductible, says the article. Just go ahead and call your insurer and ask for a new quote based on a higher deductible.

3. Check out a credit union. I don’t use a credit union, but I’ve heard great things about them. Sometimes you can get a better deal with a credit union. They also tend to pay higher yields on deposits. Findacreditunion can help you track down the best one. Make sure you look for one that is part of the federal insurance program run by the National Credit Union Administration.

4. Challenge your property-tax assessment. Orman says home values are down an average of 30 percent since the 2006 peak. If your assessment doesn’t reflect that, you might be overpaying. Call up your county tax assessor to find out more. The National Taxpayers Union also has a book on the topic.

Less than 25 percent of women feel they are “very well prepared” to handle their finances. World-renowned financial author Suze Orman gave her advice to women in a recent issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.

Get A Grip

1. Start tracking your spending. We usually pay close attention to the big-ticket items, but we often ignore the little things that begin to add up before you know it. All you have to do is get all of your credit card and bank statements. Suze Orman offers Suze’s Expense Sheet. You input your average monthly expenses and see where your money is going.

2. Calculate your net worth. This is important because we often forget about our debts. You have to pay attention to the big picture, says the article. Go to a search engine and type “net worth calculator.” There are lots of free tools out there on the Internet.

3. Check your credit profile. Your credit score can affect so many things, such as interest rates and insurance in some cases. Check out Annual Credit Report to get a free credit report. You can get one free report each year.

4. Cut spending by 10 percent.  According to Orman, the median pay raise for this year is expected to be around 3 percent. So, take a look at your spending and try to cut it by 10 percent.

I’m always looking for a good book. I’ve been fortunate because my church often hands out books to its members to help them with their Christian journey and that includes financial help. Here are some Christian-based books that might come in handy when you’re taking a look at your personal finances.

“I Was Broke, Now I’m Not” by Joe Sangl: This is a quick read and very helpful. My small group at church read this book together. If you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck and tired of being broke, check out this book.

“The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness” by Dave Ramsey: Take a look at seven easy-to-follow steps that will lead you out of debt.

“The Sound Mind Investing Handbook – A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From a Biblical Perspective” by Austin Pryor: Pick this one up and learn how to put Godly principles of finance in motion.

“Financial Parenting: Showing Your Kids that Money Matters” by Larry Burkett and Rick Osborne: Teach your kids the Biblical principles of handling money.

Here are some books that aren’t Christian-based, but may also help you to focus on your finances.

“Money 911″ by Jean Chatzky: This book can rescue you from more than 100 money emergencies.

“Shoo, Jimmy Choo!” by Catey Hill: This one is a guide to spending less money and written by someone who used to splurge.

“Save Big” by Elisabeth Leamy: Find out how to save thousands on your biggest expenses.

“Making The Most of Your Money Now” by Jane Bryant Quinn: With more than 1,000 pages, this book talks about so many topics from auto insurance to zer0-coupon bonds.

“Shoptimism: Why the American Consumer Will Keep on Buying No Matter What” by Lee Eisenberg: Read up on what drives people to keep spending money.

“Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties” by Beth Kobliner: Give this one as a graduation or wedding gift and help those just getting started to learn more about finances.

“Spend ’til The End” by Laurence Kotlikoff: Are you thinking about retiring? Pick this one up to learn about stretching your retirement savings.

December is known for too much eating. That’s why in January many people launch diet plans and workout routines. But the holidays are also a time for too much spending. So starting this Saturday my husband and I are going on a two-week spending diet. Actually it would be more like a fast because we’re not spending a dime– at least that’s the goal!

We both like a challenge. Inspired by a documentary about the Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes, my husband got up early one Saturday morning and ran 18 miles– nearly five miles more than the distance of a half marathon! And he did it without training! So I think he’ll enjoy the challenge of not spending a penny for two weeks.

The Two-Week No Spending Challenge takes a little bit of preparation. Neither of us are required to drive a lot for our jobs so we plan to fill up our tanks the day before the challenge and make that last for two weeks. I am also planning meals that will use up many of the items I have stockpiled in our pantry which means I won’t have to spend much extra on groceries this week to prepare for two weeks of no spending. I will buy extra milk, but when it’s gone it’s gone! As for entertainment, I’m sure we’ll find plenty of free stuff to do. We’ve got a party to go to and I have some codes that will allow us to rent free movies from Redbox.

There are two main objectives with the Two-Week No Spending Challenge. The first, of course, is to save money. While we aren’t big spenders normally, this will help us start the new year off on a great foot financially. The second objective goes along with the first. I believe the Two-Week No Spending Challenge will help us become better disciplined with our spending and realize that we already have everything we need– no spending required!

Care to join us in our Two-Week No Spending Challenge? Ours is running from January 16 until January 30. Don’t worry– I plan to let you know how it goes along the way. And if you have any advice I’d love to hear it!

Looks like it might prove to be a harsh winter with the recent snow storms on the East Coast and cranking up the heat in the house will definitely be a reality for the next few months. And the federal government is here to help. Almost 8 million households received assistance to heat their homes this fiscal year which is up 33 percent from 2008, says an article in USA Today newspaper.

As the economy continues to struggle, the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association says more and more will be needing assistance with keeping their homes warm. Congress gave $5.1 billion to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. That’s much higher than the $2.6 billion last year.

The federal government is working to step in and assist those in need the same way they help with other needs, such as health care and food. This year, millions of households had their utilities shut off due to non-payment and it’s increased. According to the article,  the average amount given to a home in 2009 covered 48 percent of winter heating bills.

Along with the government, there are others who are helping those who may need some help with bills. As Christians it is our call to help others in need and I know of several churches in my area that assist local people with utilities. Many churches have programs set up to help you pay a late heating, water or electric bill, so you won’t be left without these basic needs. While the government works to help others in need, let’s remember especially at Christmas that people in our community need our help.

As all of us continue to shop for Christmas using our credit cards, we need to be careful when it comes to paying off our cards and keeping our credit score in check. I was listening to the radio when the John Tesh radio show came on and he often discusses finances. The topic of the evening was “Common Myths About Credit Scores.” I thought it would be important to share this time of year. Some of the tips also come from the website Wallet Pop.

Myth #1: My credit score only changes once a year.

There are three credit agencies – Trans-Union, Equifax and Experian. These agencies recalculate your score each time that you apply for a new loan or sign up for a credit card. It’s a good idea to get copies of your credit report from each company once per year.

Myth #2: One missed payment won’t hurt my score.

Paying your bills on time is one of the most important factors in determining your credit score. One late payment and your score decreases.

Myth #3: Checking your score too often will lower it.

I know I’ve heard this one before and wondered if it was true or not. You can actually check your score as often as you like with no problems. Your own credit is considered a “soft inquiry” so it doesn’t affect your history.

Myth #4: Carrying no debt is the best way to boost my score.

According to the banks, they consider higher risk people to be those with no credit cards and no loans. Those who use their credit cards responsibly are seen as positive.

Myth #5: My score will be fine as long as my debt never exceeds 30 percent of my income.

Actually, credit bureaus don’t keep track of your salary. How much you make doesn’t factor into your credit score. They just want you to pay your debt off in time.

What’s the best credit score to have? You want to try and have at least a score of 740 to get the best loans, credit cards and interest rates. Go ahead and shop, but make sure your pay on time when that bill arrives.

We’ve been discussing Joseph Sangl’s Fundamental Rules of Money Management. Let’s recap what he’s laid out for us.

Rule #1: Make hay while the sun shines. Make sure you are saving and storing money for the future.

Rule #2: Sow some seed. If you want to harvest something, you better plant something. Are you saving and investing in a 401(k)?

Rule #3: Nothing will happen until you do something. If you are stuck in a dead-end job, find what you are passionate about and pursue it. Want to take control of your finances? Step out there and work on it.

Rule #4: You must have margin. This can help when any financial emergencies come up and allows you to consider new opportunities without having to say “I don’t have the money.”

Finally Rule #5: If it sounds too good to be true, it’s most likely a scam.

I think we’re all pretty familiar with this statement. There have been plenty of times that I’ve heard of a great deal, but had to remind myself to take a step back and really check it out. Joseph recalls a time when he was presented with what seemed like a great opportunity to make some money. All he had to do was pay in $1,000 and then once eight other people joined in he would receive $8,000. I’ve also been presented with similar schemes.

Many of Joseph’s co-workers jumped into it and then of course the ones running the scheme took off with the money. Here is what Joseph says he discovered: When you are broke, you are way more susceptible to get-rich-quick scams and schemes.

As tempting as it might sound, the best thing to do is remain calm and especially patient when it comes to financial decisions. I know when my husband and I put our trust in God and let him handle our finances, things seem to fall into place.

We’ve discussed saving, investing and getting up and doing what you love. Joseph Sangl, a financial guru at my church, has been putting together some rules to help readers manage their money. Once again, this rule focuses on saving to improve your  life.

Rule #4: You must have margin

There are many, many  people who don’t have any savings. Joseph discusses how he lived in that situation and didn’t have any money for emergencies. He says he never really realized how important it was until he finally had some money tucked away.

A good savings account provides margin. This helps you think seriously about the future. It can aid you in choosing a career path, business decisions or moving. You don’t want to have to say “That will cost money. Money I don’t have.”

Joseph says “financial margin allows you to absorb unexpected financial events” like problems with your car or washing machine etc. It helps to keep you from incurring new debt. You can also use it to take advantage of some bargains.

I’ve realized that not having to worry so much about money really improves your well being. My husband and I finally sold our house in Florida on Friday after being on the market for two years. We now can boost our savings, have a little extra money for some fun and our stress level is beginning to decrease.

We’ve covered Rule One and Rule Two of Joseph Sangl’s rules of money management – dealing with saving and investing.

Rule #3: Nothing will happen until you do something

Joseph used to have a regular job – a 9 to 5 type – but instead of being excited every morning about his work, he would wake up and just want a cup of coffee. He says he wanted to do something that really made a difference. I’m sure all of us have met plenty of people who just hate their job and feel like they have hit a dead end. I have definitely been there before and it’s tough.

Joseph has also been there, but instead of complaining about it (like many do) he decided to get up and try to do something about it. This is when he began working as a financial counselor. He offered it for free to people he knew and he realized it was something he really enjoyed. He realized he had to make the first move and find something else to do with his career.

So you want to score big when it comes to your finances? You want to save money and invest wisely? Go ahead and take that step to better your life. It’s tough at first. My husband and I have realized that since we started tithing we haven’t been as stressed out about our finances. God has provided for us. We are able to save and spend our money wisely.

I took a big step personally a few years back. I was in the same career field for many years and decided to try something different. Although my background helped a bit, I was still having to learn a new field. I was glad that I tried it and took a step to do something that I’d enjoy. Now, I’ve learned from all of my jobs and continue to move in the direction of my ideal career.

You can do it too. Taking risks can often have a great ending and with God on your side the possibilities are endless in your personal life and your finances. Putting your trust in Him and His plan for your life, you’ll always end up ahead.

Joe Sangl has continued his series on managing your money. Relating it to farming is an angle for this series and he makes it simple to understand.

Rule #2: Sow Some Seed

You better plant something if you want something to harvest, he says. Discussing corn kernels is his way of explaining it. If you don’t plant them in the spring, you won’t be able to harvest them in the fall.

Here are the similarities when it comes to your finances.

Being stingy with seed leads to a poor crop. Seems pretty common sense to me. If you’d rather not have any money (which sounds silly) then don’t save. Don’t invest in anything and Joe says you’ll have a poor crop.

Some seeds will be eaten or rot. In his explanation he says you can coat the seeds with pesticides and other poisons, but some seeds will still be eaten. Others will rot and not germinate.

If enough is planted, an abundant harvest will appear before you. Make sure you plant enough seed and it will lead to great harvesting. Think about the future.

Just one seed has the ability to produce hundreds or thousands more seeds. Think about the harvest that will bring.

Now he puts it in more solid, financial terms. Are you investing in a 401(k)? Are you putting some in a savings account at your bank for something you want to do in the future? Are you investing in different things such as stocks, bonds, real estate, small businesses or other ways to grow your money. Don’t be afraid to be a bit aggressive, especially if you are young.

Sangl tries to provide real world advice when it comes to handling your money. We all could use some encouragement even though it’s tough to think about saving when you are living paycheck to paycheck. Just take a little bit at time and see the benefits.

I often check to see what the financial adviser for my church is up to and he has provided his readers with the five rules for managing your money. I wanted to share them with you. Joe Sangl has an ongoing blog with advice on saving and managing money.

Money Management Rule #1: Make hay while the sun shines

Joe Sangl talks about his days of growing up on a farm and having to make hay while the sun was shining. Winter was coming and a famine for the livestock. He says you can relate this to your finances.

There will almost always be a time of famine, he says. Many are being laid off, subjected to pay cuts, healthcare issues and having to endure increases in expenses. This can especially be tough if you have no savings.

When you cut hay, more will grow to replace it. Sangl explains that if you don’t cut the grass it will die off.  If you do cut it, you’ll have more growth. When it comes to your finances, if you save it will lead to more growth.

When you save plenty of hay, it gives you confidence. Setting up emergency funds make you feel safe and ready to handle any difficulties that come along. Even if you are just putting a little bit away it will add up in the long run. You’ll feel more confident and ready for the future.

I have plenty of friends who don’t have savings accounts and that can lead to anxiety. Fortunately, my husband and I have been able to put some money away in case we have any unexpected expenses.

After chatting with your spouse and children, it’s now time to talk with your parents about money. Real Simple magazine recently featured an article about money conversations that everyone should have. Let’s review the last couple of postings. Talk with your spouse about where all the money in the household goes, are there any changes that need to be made and is the retirement fund on track. Next, the kids also need to be aware of finances. You need to discuss responsibility with money and college funds.

The article also discussed conversations to have with your parents. Thirty percent of adult children contribute to their parents’ finances, says the Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C.

Do you have enough to retire comfortably?

Now, many retirees will most likely outlive their savings accounts. If you want to prepare before talking with them, you can use a retirement calculator at Bank Rate. This will help you see how large a nest egg they might need.

Have you thought about long-term-care insurance?

Real Simple says a private room at a nursing home can be $75,000 per year. It’s good to talk with them when they reach their 60s and are healthy. Do some research about the subject and share some information with them. Smart Money has an insurance evaluator tool to help you find out possible costs and insurance benefits.

In an emergency, who do you want to manage your finances?

Talk about it now! As much as we don’t like to think about possible health problems in the future, everyone needs a power of attorney. A software program, Quicken WillMaker Plus 2010, can help. Talk with your folks and see if they have a will or not. Make sure you know where the paperwork is if they do.

Along with your spouse, the next family members that should be aware of finances is your children. Kids need to have a grasp on what is and what isn’t something needed and that will help them with their spending habits the rest of their lives. Real Simple magazine’s November issue suggests starting those conversations as soon as they start to understand how much things cost and that’s usually early elementary school. According to a study by Schwab and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, 60 percent of the teens surveyed  said that learning about money management is a priority.

Print out a copy of your family budget.

Go over it with your kids and show them where the money goes each month. If you don’t have a budget for the family, you can get a free one at Microsoft Office’s website. Search for “family monthly budget planner” and work on it together.

Discuss the plans for college.

College is expensive and the average annual cost is about $25,000 for a private school and $6,500 for a public one. Parents should keep in mind how to help their sons or daughters afford it, says the article.  When you have your child, talk to your spouse about college and start saving as soon as you can. When they get to middle school or so, talk about the costs. Saving for College can help you get started.

Consider a credit card.

At the end of high school, you want to make sure your child can be responsible and handle a credit card. I remember being in college and everywhere you went companies were hassling you to open an account and would give out free t-shirts and other items. According to Real Simple, the average credit card debt for college students is $3,173.  To teach them some responsibility you can add them to your card and set a limit. Explain the ins and outs of using one. Show your kids the proper way to use it and pay it off.

Money can be a touchy subject and one that may cause stresses on a relationship. One way to help combat problems is to communicate with one another. According to a Wall Street Journal poll, 75 percent of Americans have disagreements over money or household finances with their significant others. Money issues are also a contributing factor to divorce. In the November issue of Real Simple magazine, the money section talks about these conversations to have with your spouse.

Where does all of our  money go?

The article suggests that every couple have this discussion. Overspending is often a problem in relationships and needs to be addressed. If it seems everything is fine, it’s good to check in and make sure things are still okay. One suggestion is to keep a monthlong spending journal to track expenses. When it’s the end of the month, sit down and take a look. Create a list of goals and look at ways to cut back spending if necessary.

Do we need to change who does what?

My husband is the one who handles our finances and he’s very good at it. However, in some relationships the husband or wife may not want to handle everything themselves. Real Simple suggests you compile a list of all financial decisions or tasks that are made in your home. Maybe hold a monthly time to sit down and go over your list and see if the responsibilities need to be switched.

Are our retirement plans on track?

With 401K’s taking hits and other problems, make sure you discuss this topic. Take a look at your account statements (as painful as that might be).  Be honest and discuss concerns or fears about the future. The article suggests using an online calculator. Maybe you need to schedule an appointment with a financial planner to offer advice. To find a licensed one check out Fpanet.

What is our risk tolerance when it comes to investments?

Work as a team when discussing investment goals. Whether you are risky with investments or like to be conservative keep your emotions in check and find a middle ground. Check your portfolio online and read some articles or books on investing.

If you lost your job this year you may be eligible for some benefits– and we’re not talking about help from the government. Plenty of businesses and companies want to do their part to help the millions of people who are unemployed right now. Here are a few of the free perks to check out.

Free Medicine: For free medicine check out the Pfizer MAINTAIN Program. The Pfizer MAINTAIN Program provides free Pfizer medicines to qualified patients, delivered right to their home. The program was recently created to help the recently unemployed without insurance continue receiving their Pfizer medicines. You must apply for this program before December 31, 2009 and if you’re accepted you’ll receive free medicines for up to one year. You’re eligible if you’ve become unemployed since January 1, 2009, you were prescribed and have been taking Pfizer medicines for at least three months prior to enrolling in the program. You must also have no prescription coverage and must be able to attest to your financial hardship. To apply download this application and mail it in with proof of unemployment such as a state unemployment benefits letter, benefit check stub or your employer’s termination letter.

Kmart Savings: Save 20% off select store-brand merchandise at Kmart if you’re unemployed. Kmart customers must present a state-issued id and state-issued unemployment benefits enrollment confirmation in order to be a part of this program. You’ll get a discount card that you must show at checkout in order to get your discount. Cards will be issued through January 2010.

Free Healthcare: If you were laid off on or after March 31, 2009 you may be eligible to receive free healthcare from Walgreen’s Take Care Clinics. It’s called the Take Care Recovery Plan and it offers unemployed, uninsured people and their family members free limited primary health care and diagnostic testing. You must fill out this form and send it in along with a copy of your driver’s license and proof that you are receiving unemployment benefits.

Discounted Test Preparation: If you’re unemployed and looking to take the GRE or GMAT, you’ll get a discount in test preparation courses through PowerScore. The company needs proof of your unemployment in order to give the $50 off.

The countdown is on. It’s hard to believe but 2009 will be a memory in about two months. How are you going to finish strong and make these last two months matter when it comes to your finances? The last two months of the year can often be the most difficult when it comes to sticking to a budget and focusing on your financial goals. Here are some ideas for finishing out 2009 like a financial super star.

Take Your Lunch to Work the Rest of the Year: Join blogger KrystalatWork.com as she commits to bringing her lunch to work for the rest of the year. She’s not only trying to save some money but she’s trying to shed a few pounds in the process.

Give Your Bills an Audit: Are you paying too much for cell service, auto insurance or cable TV? Find out before the end of 2009. You’ll be happy to have the extra money in your pocket when 2010 rolls around.

Sell Five Things You No Longer Need: Put some extra cash in your pocket and some extra room in your closets. Get rid of five things you no longer need by the end of 2009. With eBay’s new policy you won’t pay listing fees for five items a month which means if your stuff doesn’t sell you’re not out any funds.

Make Your Home Energy Efficient: If you complete improvements to your home by the end of the year you could be eligible for Federal Tax Credits. Read up on the improvements that will make a difference on your tax return.

Help a Charity Organization: Give more in 2009 and perhaps start a new habit as you go into 2010. Christmas is a great time of year to serve others. Connect with a charity that needs your help through HandsonNetwork.com. There are 250 action centers in the Hands On Network throughout the world that are getting people involved in charitable activities. And remember, volunteering is free.

As a record number of people default on their mortgages and others find themselves unable to pay their credit card bills, more Americans are watching their credit scores take a big plunge. As credit scores drop, the number of scammers making credit repair promises is on the rise. They’ll take your money and leave you with little improvement, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The government laid out some of the most common credit repair scams. Here’s how to tell if a company is making promises that are too good to be true:

* The company tells you not to try to make contact with any of the three major credit reporting companies yourself, something the FTC recommends doing.
* The company asks for upfront payment before offering any real solution. In other words– they want your money before they do any work towards repairing your credit. According to the FTC, under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, this is illegal. Credit repair companies cannot require you to pay until they have completed the services you are hiring them for.
* The company never tells you your rights and fails to point out certain services that you can easily do for free by yourself without their help.
* The company makes false promises to get rid of all or most of the negative credit data on your credit report.
* The company tries to get you to apply for an Employer Identification Number to use instead of your Social Security number as a way to create a “new” credit identity and thus eliminating the need for your old credit report. This is illegal and could get you in big trouble with the FTC.
* The company tells you to dispute everything on your credit report– even if it’s true and accurate.
* The company claims they have a relationship with the credit bureaus that can eliminate your bad credit. The FTC warns the system doesn’t work this way.
* You are asked to call a 900 number for help. You’ll end up with a big phone bill and the company will make money without offering a service.

It may be best to follow the FTC’s guidelines for repairing your credit yourself. Because remember– just like when you get help from a tax preparer to fill out your 1040s– you are responsible for the work they do which could be illegal. Keep in mind that lying on a loan or credit application, misrepresenting your Social Security number and getting an Employer Identification Number from the IRS under false pretenses is a federal crime. Doing any of these activities could cause you to be charged for mail or wire fraud. That’s because using the mail, telephone or Internet to give false information is a crime.

I have to admit that I am just so excited to have found all of these websites in magazines that I regularly read. I’m always looking for more resources when it comes to saving money. Here is the second list of sites from Woman’s Day magazine.

Lynda: If you need some extra training in programs such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Office and the basics on photography or web design, this is a great place to start. The Online Training Library helps you keep your skills current and starts at $25 per month. Last month, they announced a partnership with Microsoft to be a training partner for Office 2008.

BigHugeLabs: Are you interested in photography? This site helps you do fun stuff with your photos, such as create posters, photo collages, special effects, jigsaw puzzles and magazine covers.

Dafont: Let’s say you’re working on a project and need to download a cool font quickly. There are more than 9,000 fonts to choose from and it’s free!

Fix It Club: Sometimes I get in a jam and wish I knew how to fix something around the house. Well, look no further. The Fix It Club offers free repair help for things from appliances to electronics and apparel to exercise equipment.

Budget Simple: Budgeting your money can be tricky and this website it designed to help for free. Budget Simple offers software to keep track of monthly spending and current income and expenses.

Annual Credit Report: This credit report is free and it’s available once a year. The site works with three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies. Reviewing your credit regularly is important and this helps you do it at no cost.

Dinky Town: Looking for financial calculators? You can calculate just about anything, such as mortgages, loans, automobiles, retirements, personal finances, credit card uses and savings.

Bloomberg: Need more financial calculators? Bloomberg.com helps you figure out how to pay off your car loan, convert currency, check out your investments and mortgage.

Discover America: This is the official travel and tourism website of the U.S. It can help you find great deals to just about anywhere and offers information about each state. It can also put you in touch with a travel specialist to help you book the trip.

Mouse Savers: If you love Disney World, this is the place to go for savings on everything Disney. You can get park and cruise discounts, save on shows, hotels and even books, movies and music.

As we enter the second year of The Great Credit Crisis, loans continue to be tough to come by and lenders are aggressively slashing credit lines and raising rates on existing borrowers who exhibit just a mere whiff of financial trouble. This makes actively managing your credit profile more important than ever. Just as you get your annual physical from the doctor (you do get your annual physical, right?), you need to make a credit check-up part of your yearly routine as well to make sure that you have access to the credit you may need and at the lowest possible rates.

We’ve discussed previously that if you are about to apply for a mortgage or loan why it makes sense to purchase access to your credit reports and scores, but for the rest of us there are some tremendously useful free resources that can help you stay on top of your credit health.

First, everyone should start with a visit to AnnualCreditReport.com which is where you can obtain truly free copies of your credit reports once every twelve months. These reports are notoriously fraught with errors and inaccuracies that can prove to be very costly, so scour them for mistakes that could damage your credit.

Next, head over to Quizzle where you can obtain a free estimate of your credit score. As you may know, there are a variety of credit (or FICO) score calculations, so the number you see here may not match the numbers that lenders are using to evaluate your credit. However, Quizzle recently updated its estimation methods to more closely track the scores used by many lenders and I found that it was within a few points of my “official” credit score. Plus, an estimate is likely good enough for your annual check-up, so you can save the $16 that FICO charges to show you its calculation of your score.

With this information in hand, check out the very useful Credit Report Card from Credit.com. It breaks down the different components of your credit score, assigns you a letter grade to each and provides specific recommendations on what you can do to improve your standing for each facet of your score.

Finally, to see how valuable your annual credit check-up can be, try out this very illuminating credit cost calculator from credit repair firm Lexington Law:

Whether you are approaching retirement or still have a way to go, an article from CNNMoney is something everyone should pay attention to. Retirement is going to happen faster than you think and there are ways to help keep you from running out of cash. According to the article,  you need a variety of investments that will give you stable income, protection from falling markets and ways to get cash if needed for emergencies etc.

Here are some strategies to help:

1. Traditional Stock and Bond Portfolios are one that may be viable if you have enough income from social security and pensions for basic expenses. For this one, you invest in diverse stocks, bonds and cash. CNNMoney says you pull out money as you need it with a 4 percent annual withdrawal and then increasing the dollars by the inflation rate. This can help you make your income last 30 years.

2. Stocks, Bonds and Immediate Annuity is the second strategy is for those who need additional income for basic expenses than they’ll get with social security and pensions. This will require investing your savings in a lifetime immediate annuity. This option will give you longer income security.

3. Number 1 and 2 plus a variable annuity is the third idea. This one can work if you want more access to your savings than the first two options. You’ll need to invest some of your savings in an immediate annuity. You choose the investments and you can have access to the account when needed. The article says it’s more flexible than an immediate annuity.

CNNMoney has a quiz “Will You Be Ready For Retirement.” Although I’m a bit younger than the age groups that you click on, I’m on my way, but need to kick my planning up a notch. When taking a look at the article, you can also check out their Ultimate Guide to Retirement for information on 401(k)s, IRAs, estate planning, social security and many more.

For more details with graphics and advice click on the article link above.

Time for a pop quiz. How many people live paycheck to paycheck? If you guessed 61% of the population then you win. That’s according to a new survey from Careerbuilder.com. The study questioned 4,400 workers nationwide and found that six out of ten people always or usually live for payday in order to survive financially. That’s up from 49% compared to 2008 and 43% in 2007.

Don’t think those people living paycheck to paycheck are making small salaries. Three out of ten people living from payday to payday make $100,000 or more. That’s up from 21% back in 2008. In order to make ends meet, 21% of those surveyed say they’ve reduced 401(k) contributions or lowered the amount they’re stashing in savings. Even 23% of those earning six figures have dropped their contributions to retirement accounts.

Not only are people reducing their retirement savings, some aren’t saving at all. Thirty-six percent of those polled aren’t participating in any retirement programs. That’s five percent more than in 2008. Thirty-three percent of workers don’t save anything each month. Another 30% set aside $100 or less. And 16% save less than $50.

If you’re one of the six in ten people estimated to be living paycheck to paycheck, there are ways to stop the trend.

Boost Earnings: This could mean asking for a raise or it could mean getting a part-time job. Think outside of the box. Is there a hobby you can turn into a money-making opportunity? Do you have room for a roommate?

Reduce Spending: Get serious with cutting your expenses. Get rid of anything that’s not essential. This will give more room in your paycheck to start setting aside money in an emergency fund or a savings account.

Live By a Budget: Take time to write out a real budget. Putting it down on paper will help you stick to it. Give yourself a couple of months to get good at it. Make sure you have a portion or your paycheck going to savings.

I recently came across an interesting website that happened to be quite an eye opener. The Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Literacy’s website Econ4U has some great stuff on it to help teach others about personal finance and economics. In August, the group, a non-profit dedicated to financial education, realized that most college students can’t answer simple questions about their finances when it conducted a survey of 500 American students.

The findings were:

APR Basics 44 percent didn’t know the APR of their credit card and more than 80 percent didn’t grasp how long it would take to pay it off.

Balancing a Checkbook 54 percent have overdrawn their bank account in the past and didn’t understand the consequences of bouncing a check.

Credit Dependency 64 percent of college students have one or more credit cards and 61 percent of them already have credit card debt.

But it wasn’t all bad. About 60 percent said they keep a budget, 92 percent understand supply and demand and they had positive thoughts about paying off their student loans within 10 years. Take a look at the complete results of the survey.

When it comes to the average American, the group found that only 47 percent know what the Dow Jones Industrial Index is. Also, just 57 percent said their credit scores were the most important thing when trying to get a loan and 48 percent understood the advantages of investing in an IRA.

Another eye opener for me was when I clicked on the “Quizzes” tab. The site has several quizzes to help you see if you understand personal finance and investing. I took the 20-question quiz that covers several areas and realized that I don’t know as much as I thought I did. They also have specific quizzes on credit card debt, company costs, credit ratings, entrepreneurship, wages/benefits, home ownership, investing and savings.

The site also helps to educate you on topics such as writing wills, information on mutual funds, car loans, mortgages, student loans and many others. Check it out. Your quiz scores might surprise you.

Ever wonder how to file for bankruptcy? Curious about what you should do if your identity gets hacked? From the basics like filing a consumer complaint to the terribly difficult job of planning a funeral, the government has produced a free guide to help you through it all. It’s called the 2009 Consumer Action Handbook and you can order one completely free of charge right now. The guide even comes in Spanish and they’ve also set up a way to order more than ten copies at a time if you’d like to hand them out at your church or use them as lame stocking stuffers.

Once you look over your copy of the 2009 Consumer Action Handbook, let them know what you think by taking this short survey. Were there any questions left unanswered? Did a section seem confusing? Let them know so they can make the next version better.

If you don’t want to order the handbook, just check out ConsumerAction.gov for the same information. They’ve got tips and advice on tons of consumer issues including:

* Buying a Car
* Purchasing a Home
* Preventing Your Identity From Getting Stolen
* How to File a Consumer Complaint
* Handling Debt
* Choosing a Doctor
* Resolving Air Travel Problems
* How to Avoid Investment Fraud