The information below is from an article written by Jonathan D. Pond, Financial Planning Information, Inc.
Critical factors you must consider to prepare for your retirement...
To be financially safe, he tells his clients to expect to live to age 95 -- and to expect a 6% annualized return on investments, based on a mix of 60% stocks and 40% bonds and other interest-earning securities.
To calculate your income needs, figure inflation could average 3% annually. Then withdraw an annual amount in the early years of retirement -- say, 4% of savings -- that is enough to meet your income needs but is below the assumed growth rate of investments. That way you won’t drain your assets too quickly.
Expect your taxes to drop by no more than 10% -- and realize that they even may increase.
Assume that you will spend at least that much, and shape a financial plan that provides enough income to support that spending. Important: Don’t leave out big-ticket expenses that still will pop up, including replacing your car, large-scale home repairs and dental work.
Consider obtaining temporary insurance through the stop-gap federal program COBRA... check with state programs... or look for private individual coverage with high deductibles to lower premiums.
Assume that they won’t find part-time work to bolster your income and map a financial plan that doesn't count on extra income.
Put off retirement until your accounts are big enough to support your spending needs. (NOTE: all considered by what's happening today - you'll have to work for many more years than you expected.)
Unless you really need the money or are in poor health, it's often better to delay starting Social Security benefits until you reach full retirement age.
Be careful not to overestimate the value of an early retirement package. You may want to consult a financial adviser for help analyzing the package.
RETIREMENT CALCULATOR
This is a good retirement calculator: Analyze Now It has free on-line information that helps you determine when to begin taking Social Security payments, how much to allocate to different investment categories, how much you need to save for retirement and how withdrawals from your retirement accounts will affect your taxes. It was created and is run by Henry K. Hebeler, a former chief economic forecaster for The Boeing Company.
Showing posts with label saving money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saving money. Show all posts
Sunday, October 12, 2008
More on Coupons
Like everything else on the Internet, you have to be careful when going to sites that require a download or personal information. Yep, bad guys/gals even infiltrate a harmless activity like couponing! To find and use on-line coupons safely and easily, try out these sites. These sites also have information and links to blogs or chatrooms where coupon aficionados discuss deals they have located. You don't need to register to use these sites, but might have to if you want to join any of the discussion groups. These are good sites:
Coupon Mom
Flamingo World
Hot Coupon World
Tech Bargains
Coupon/Bargains
Couponing is not just for grocery store buying either! You can find coupons for all kinds of purchases. Not all manufacturers offer coupons on their websites, but many do. Just go to the companies website and look for a tab that says "deals", "bargains", "promotions", "coupons"... you get the idea! Most will require registration.
There are three Internet coupon types. On-line coupons aren't always the print and clip type.
1. Coupon codes is an alphanumeric code that can be used to obtain a discount. Typically, you can only use the code for online purchases and you will be prompted to enter the code at some point, usually the end, of the checkout process.
2. Link promotion is another popular online experience! (I had these on my website for a few months, but have taken them down.) You click the link and it takes you directly to the page in the site where you can make the purchase at the discounted price. NOTE: Confirm that the link promotion has taken you to the actual retailer's site, not a copycat, before entering your credit card number. The URL should contain "https" not just "http" (the "s" means the site is secure). Make sure the site includes functional links to customer service pages, such as return policy and shipping charge explanations.
Look for a VeriSign or BBBOnline (Better Business Bureau) seal on the site. Clicking on these seals should bring you to these organizations' Web sites. If it doesn't, don't proceed with the transaction.
3. Printable Coupons are very popular. These can be printed and redeemed in stores. To print the coupons, you will most likely have to download some software to allow you to do the printing. You take the chance that along with the coupon printer download, you may download spyware. This spyware might monitor where you go on the Internet and report this information back to the coupon Web site or anyone who has paid the site for this data. That robs you of your on-line privacy and slows your computer slightly. Spyware even can make you vulnerable to identity theft, though this is unlikely with major coupon Web sites. Be sure you have good Spyware detection on your computer. (I use Spyware Doctor but there are free spyware monitors out there that you can download).
Even if you are not asked to download software to obtain your coupon, you might be asked to provide an E-mail address. Set up a free email through Yahoo or Gmail and use that account if you need to provide an email to get a coupon via email. That way your main account won't get filled up with spam messages.
And, finally, a couple things to remember when checking out sites for Internet coupons. If their coupons don't have a bar code on them... they are bogus. Look at the website. If it looks amateurish or if it's small scale, it's probably bogus. Stick to the large scale sites (like those mentioned above) and to the manufacturers websites.
Coupon Mom
Flamingo World
Hot Coupon World
Tech Bargains
Coupon/Bargains
Couponing is not just for grocery store buying either! You can find coupons for all kinds of purchases. Not all manufacturers offer coupons on their websites, but many do. Just go to the companies website and look for a tab that says "deals", "bargains", "promotions", "coupons"... you get the idea! Most will require registration.
There are three Internet coupon types. On-line coupons aren't always the print and clip type.
1. Coupon codes is an alphanumeric code that can be used to obtain a discount. Typically, you can only use the code for online purchases and you will be prompted to enter the code at some point, usually the end, of the checkout process.
2. Link promotion is another popular online experience! (I had these on my website for a few months, but have taken them down.) You click the link and it takes you directly to the page in the site where you can make the purchase at the discounted price. NOTE: Confirm that the link promotion has taken you to the actual retailer's site, not a copycat, before entering your credit card number. The URL should contain "https" not just "http" (the "s" means the site is secure). Make sure the site includes functional links to customer service pages, such as return policy and shipping charge explanations.
Look for a VeriSign or BBBOnline (Better Business Bureau) seal on the site. Clicking on these seals should bring you to these organizations' Web sites. If it doesn't, don't proceed with the transaction.
3. Printable Coupons are very popular. These can be printed and redeemed in stores. To print the coupons, you will most likely have to download some software to allow you to do the printing. You take the chance that along with the coupon printer download, you may download spyware. This spyware might monitor where you go on the Internet and report this information back to the coupon Web site or anyone who has paid the site for this data. That robs you of your on-line privacy and slows your computer slightly. Spyware even can make you vulnerable to identity theft, though this is unlikely with major coupon Web sites. Be sure you have good Spyware detection on your computer. (I use Spyware Doctor but there are free spyware monitors out there that you can download).
Even if you are not asked to download software to obtain your coupon, you might be asked to provide an E-mail address. Set up a free email through Yahoo or Gmail and use that account if you need to provide an email to get a coupon via email. That way your main account won't get filled up with spam messages.
And, finally, a couple things to remember when checking out sites for Internet coupons. If their coupons don't have a bar code on them... they are bogus. Look at the website. If it looks amateurish or if it's small scale, it's probably bogus. Stick to the large scale sites (like those mentioned above) and to the manufacturers websites.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Saving Money at the Checkout
I have been a coupon clipper for years and normally that process takes about an hour a week to find, clip, and organize the coupons I use. Then, of course, it takes probably another 45 - 60 minutes to peruse the weekly grocery ads and match up coupons to the stuff I want to buy. The two hours are well worth the time since I am organized before I get to the stores so it takes less time to get the things I want and get out of the store.
Since I am a single person, most of my savings come from the purchase of pet food, pet snacks and most anything pet related. I watch for sales, buy one get one free offers, 50% off offers and use my coupons for the sales. In the pet aisles, I can then get pet snacks and food for free or almost free. I also am a member of "in store rewards" programs at the stores I frequent. That way, I get some money back (to spend at that store), get cents off for gasoline (when gas was at $4.05 a gallon at Safeway, with my "earned points", I filled my tank for $3.89 a gallon instead). On the average, I will spend maybe $400.00 (not including cigarettes or alcohol) in one week, but at the same time I save $200.00 of the $400.00 and still get the brands I want to use. If I were to purchase other brands, I would save more. Again, since I am single, I only shop like that about once a month and just purchase fresh fruit and veggies to supplement the rest of the month. Which means I spend maybe $60 a week for me and my pets. Not a bad deal! Of course, if you live in an outlying area with no close access to lots of stores then the system probably wouldn't work as well for you and there is the cost of gas to figure in also.
Most major grocery stores are online now and you can peruse the ads and your own personal "grocery list" and then print out your list, complete with a picture of the item. There is an option for adding things that are not in the ads to your list also. I know that Safeway, Albertsons, and Fred Meyers have this on their websites. I think they are pretty helpful since I can print it out instead of deciphering my own handwriting!
I personally have used coupons.com which is a free service that you can print coupons through and I've used restaurants.com where you can purchase coupons for restaurants for a big discount like $6 for a $25 coupon - the only hitch is that to use the $25 coupon, you have to spend an additional $10 in cash. Still a good deal though and a good way to get to know restaurants/cafe's in your own area that you might not otherwise go to. I think getting $35 worth of a nice dinner for a $16 investment is pretty good! Another coupon place is coolsavings.com and is basically the same as the coupons.com site. For current savings offers in many different stores, including department stores Keycode.com is a good site and registration is free. I also subscribe, for free, to Valpak.com which has coupons for groceries, restaurants, auto stuff and other stuff.
I have not subscribed to any of these next sites, I am only giving you the information that they are out there! The The Grocery Game is a service you pay for but it is fairly unique because it matches sales to existing coupons and tracks product prices to help you get the best buys for your money. There is a 4 week trial subscription for $1, which I think I will check out! It basically does everything I do by hand, on the computer! Another is My Clipper, it's a free membership and has a searchable database for more than 650 national merchants. Coupon Mom is also a searchable database and has links for free offers and samples as well, it has a free membership. An interesting site to learn about saving money in just about any venue is The Dollar Stretcher and it's worth taking a look at.
Many major stores, like Safeway, have delivery service for a fee. I've not used those services, but if I was unable to get to the store due to health issues or whatever, I would seriously consider it. What I didn't know is that Amazon.com has a grocery service with free shipping on orders over $25. That would be a good deal for your non-perishable items. There is always the warehouse stores like Costco where you can buy in bulk.
These just a few of the "savings/couponing" places online and I hope this article has been helpful to you.
Since I am a single person, most of my savings come from the purchase of pet food, pet snacks and most anything pet related. I watch for sales, buy one get one free offers, 50% off offers and use my coupons for the sales. In the pet aisles, I can then get pet snacks and food for free or almost free. I also am a member of "in store rewards" programs at the stores I frequent. That way, I get some money back (to spend at that store), get cents off for gasoline (when gas was at $4.05 a gallon at Safeway, with my "earned points", I filled my tank for $3.89 a gallon instead). On the average, I will spend maybe $400.00 (not including cigarettes or alcohol) in one week, but at the same time I save $200.00 of the $400.00 and still get the brands I want to use. If I were to purchase other brands, I would save more. Again, since I am single, I only shop like that about once a month and just purchase fresh fruit and veggies to supplement the rest of the month. Which means I spend maybe $60 a week for me and my pets. Not a bad deal! Of course, if you live in an outlying area with no close access to lots of stores then the system probably wouldn't work as well for you and there is the cost of gas to figure in also.
Most major grocery stores are online now and you can peruse the ads and your own personal "grocery list" and then print out your list, complete with a picture of the item. There is an option for adding things that are not in the ads to your list also. I know that Safeway, Albertsons, and Fred Meyers have this on their websites. I think they are pretty helpful since I can print it out instead of deciphering my own handwriting!
I personally have used coupons.com which is a free service that you can print coupons through and I've used restaurants.com where you can purchase coupons for restaurants for a big discount like $6 for a $25 coupon - the only hitch is that to use the $25 coupon, you have to spend an additional $10 in cash. Still a good deal though and a good way to get to know restaurants/cafe's in your own area that you might not otherwise go to. I think getting $35 worth of a nice dinner for a $16 investment is pretty good! Another coupon place is coolsavings.com and is basically the same as the coupons.com site. For current savings offers in many different stores, including department stores Keycode.com is a good site and registration is free. I also subscribe, for free, to Valpak.com which has coupons for groceries, restaurants, auto stuff and other stuff.
I have not subscribed to any of these next sites, I am only giving you the information that they are out there! The The Grocery Game is a service you pay for but it is fairly unique because it matches sales to existing coupons and tracks product prices to help you get the best buys for your money. There is a 4 week trial subscription for $1, which I think I will check out! It basically does everything I do by hand, on the computer! Another is My Clipper, it's a free membership and has a searchable database for more than 650 national merchants. Coupon Mom is also a searchable database and has links for free offers and samples as well, it has a free membership. An interesting site to learn about saving money in just about any venue is The Dollar Stretcher and it's worth taking a look at.
Many major stores, like Safeway, have delivery service for a fee. I've not used those services, but if I was unable to get to the store due to health issues or whatever, I would seriously consider it. What I didn't know is that Amazon.com has a grocery service with free shipping on orders over $25. That would be a good deal for your non-perishable items. There is always the warehouse stores like Costco where you can buy in bulk.
These just a few of the "savings/couponing" places online and I hope this article has been helpful to you.
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