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Pocket Change
January 2010 Volume 2 Issue 1
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Be an Advocate!
Forward this newsletter to a spread the word about the Purses to Portfolios program. Imagine the impact of your outreach!
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Not on our list . . .
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I AM IN CHARGE OF
MY MONEY
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 Happy New Year!
Want
to get your finances in order as part of your New Year's resolution?
Our friend
Ilyce Glink, 2004 Purses to Portfolios conference speaker and syndicated writer
and author of numerous practical financial books, shared some great realistic
financial resolutions that you will actually be able to keep:
Start
with simple things we often forget...
SPEND LESS THAN YOU EARN
Cook
at home more often. Use coupons. Avoid costly takeout food. A corny but true
way to grow your savings is the old saying: "If you catch your pennies,
the dollars will take care of themselves." A few of our Purses'
participants actually bring a dinner to share before Money School
classes; they have time to relax and talk before class without the cost of a restaurant
dinner.
PAY YOURSELF FIRST AND
LAST
Ilyce
says to make out monthly invoice with the amount you wish to save. When you
start paying your monthly bills, pay your saving invoice first. Then she adds,
if you have money left after paying your bills or at the end of the pay period,
add more to your savings. This is a lot wiser than thinking the leftover money
can be used for a spending spree.
SAVE YOUR CHANGE
Every
day when you get home, empty your change into a glass jar. Every two weeks or
more often, drop your lowest denomination US bill into the jar as well. At the
end of a month or two, take the money to the bank and deposit it. You'll be
shocked by how much you'll save and by how you'll never miss it. One of our
friends puts her lowest bill in the jar each day. Another, checks her currency
each day for certain letters in the serial numbers and adds all that have those
letters into her savings jar.
As Ilyce
says, creating a solid financial future isn't about winning the lottery or
speculating on a hot stock tip; it's about being smart with the dollars you
have in your account at the end of the month and the change left in your pocket
at the end of the day.
We'd love to
hear your financial resolutions...
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Deal of the Month
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www.skype.com
If you are computer savvy at all, I'm sure you know what
Skype is, or have heard about it somewhere. But let me just explain what it is
for those of you who are just entering the IT world. J Skype is a leading
global internet communications company that allows you to have free voice and
video conversations with others; all you need is a computer and microphone
(most newer computers have this already). A webcam is not necessary but is an
added bonus. Skype really got its boost when Oprah Winfrey started using it on
her show to interview guests who couldn't make it to the studio. In fact, she
recently named one of her episodes "Where the Skype Are You?". In
these tough economic times, with airfare being so expensive, at least you can
keep in touch and see your friends and loved ones regardless of their location
for free.
Go to www.skype.com to download
the program and start skyping away. Did I already mention that it's free?!
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I AM IN CHARGE OF MY MONEY*
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Proudly display that you are IN CHARGE OF YOUR MONEY!
With a minimum donation of $5.00, Purses Participants will receive a car ribbon magnet. Send a check made out to DFLI and include your address and a magnet will be mailed to you.They will also be available at upcoming events.
Mark your calendars now for the Purses Conference!
October 23, 2010 Chase Center on the Riverfront
* www.iaminchargeofmymoney.org will take you
directly to the From Purses to Portfolio's website.
So click on the ribbon and take charge!
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Mary and Money
Baby it's Cold Outside:
A Smart Strategy for Lowering your Energy Bill
By Mary Caraccioli
When I first met Jackie O'Neil in 2006, I was blown away by her
understanding of green building. She built two net zero energy homes (for
herself and her sister) and was able to do it for the price of non-green new
home. So when I planned to stop by her amazing house recently, I was expecting
to feel a little envious, but I wasn't expecting any new surprises. And yes,
jealous I was. She has a gorgeous home with all the amenities and she has no
utility bills - in fact she gets paid by the power company because she generates
so much energy with her solar panels - she can sell the electricity to the
power company!
But that was not the surprising part - I knew that from my last visit. What
blew me away is where the real energy savings comes in - it's not necessarily
the solar panels or the geo-thermal heating unit. They are great but they don't
even factor into the majority of the energy savings. What Jackie learned and
what she is happy to share - is that 80% of the energy savings comes from the
passive stuff. Where are the windows - how well insulated is the house.
The way Jackie summed it up is like this 80% of the energy savings comes from
the passive stuff - the things you will have any way. The last 20% of savings
comes from the big ticket items- like the solar panels and Geo-thermal HVAC. So what can you take away from that?
Here are a few things to think about
when creating your own master plan for energy savings.
-Do the cheap stuff first.
-Replace your light bulbs with CFL bulbs.
-Make sure all the drafty leaks in your home are sealed. Then set up your
insulation.
After that think about your systems. Don't be in a rush to replace them until
it is absolutely necessary.
All of things can have a great impact on your monthly bills. Before you
spend on the big ticket items- think about how they fit into your home's entire
energy strategy, including how long you plan to be in your home. They should be
the "last" purchase you make. Having a more energy efficient home will not only save you money each month - it will make your home more appealing to potential buyers - if you chose to put
it on the market.
Who doesn't need a
little help managing their money in this economy? 6abc's hot new show,
Mary Talks Money, gives you real solutions to the real kinds of problems we all
face! From credit card debt to what to do if you lose your job...from how
to talk to kids about money to where financial planners are putting their own
funds...host Mary Caraccioli tackles the topics that can help you start off the
New Year on the right foot...and stay there all year long. Mary Talks Money debuts Monday, January
11th on the Live Well HD Network, 6abc's digital channel 6.2. Check out Mary's website Mary Talks Money.
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Resolve to attend Money School Classes
How to Save Without Reducing Quality of Life
Tues., Jan. 19 & Feb. 2, 6:30-7:30pm; DE Community Foundation
Georgetown, Joy Slabaugh
Lunch and Learn
Wed., Jan. 20, 12:00-1:30pm; Claymont Community Center
Conversation with State Treasurer Velda Jones-Potter
Open for Business
Wed., Jan. 20, 12:00-2:00pm
Delaware State University; Bank of America Building, Room 309
Lillie Crawford
Smart Choices in Retirement
Thurs., Jan. 21, 10:00-11:30am; Lewes Public Library
Derek Clifton
Credit Clinic
Sat., Jan. 23, 9:00am-1:00pm; DE Community Reinvestment Action Council
Georgetown, Diana Bernal
Tax & Estate Planning/ Tax Free Investing
Mon., Jan. 25, 6:00-7:30pm; Edward Jones Office
Bethany Beach, Rick Solloway
Special Comments: Dinner will be served
Annuity Applications in Today's Marketplace
Tues., Jan. 26 Time:
6:30-8:00pm; Brandywine Hundred Library,
Wilmington, Bill Wahl
Preparing for and Surviving Divorce Financially
Wed., Jan. 27, 6:30-7:30pm; DE Community Foundation
Georgetown, Samuel Slabaugh
National Entrepreneurship Week 2010
Sat., Feb.27, 7:45am-2:00pm
Waterfall Conference and Banquet Center, Claymont
Presented by CODE: Coalition of Organizations
for Delaware Entrepreneurship
Special Comments: Lots of free resources. Light snacks. Door prizes, Free parking.
* for a complete class listing & to register for classes visit The Money School
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