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Cook at home often: If both the husband and wife work, this is likely to be very difficult. Start out with the habit of cooking at home once a week and slowly increase the frequency until you find a balance between saving money and getting stressed out. Make your own coffee: Everyone seems to have heard of the latte factor. Even though the author may have overestimated the savings from skipping a latte at Starbucks, don’t underestimate the ding it puts in your pocket in the long run. You don’t have to entirely ban drinking coffee, but skip it as often as possible unless you make it at home. Brown bag lunch at least a few days a week: Lunch times are great opportunities to network and make connections that could improve your career growth. So unless there is a common eating area for brown baggers, you may choose to limit brown bagging lunch to three days each week. Find a balance between saving some money and making the connection. In my case, I take my lunch with me 2-3 times a week and eat out the rest of the time. Make a list before going shopping: They call it impulse buying for a reason. Humans simply have a very tough time resisting the temptation to purchase extras while shopping. Without a list you will buy items that you simply do not need. Even worse is when your forget to purchase the actual item you came to the store for in the first place. If you plan on cooking at home, pre-plan a rough menu and make a list before you go grocery shopping. Getting all that you need in one trip can help avoid another unnecessary trip and temptation. Go grocery shopping while you are in a hurry: Maybe you need to go out in a couple of hours. Or your favorite show is going to be on TV after a couple of hours. Try to squeeze in the grocery trip in that intermediate time. Armed with your grocery list, you should be in-and-out very quickly with little time for meandering and getting tempted to buy things you don’t need. Watch out for expiration dates on perishable goods: This one seems intuitive when you read it, but I am surprised at how many people do not pay attention to expiry dates. No point getting a gallon of milk if it is going to turn sour with a couple of days. Same goes for meat, eggs, yogurt, spreads, frozen items, deli/bakery items etc. Some people say you can use a few items a few days after expiry – but I personally value my health more than money and would rather avoid buying such items in the first place. Buy in bulk whenever possible: When it comes to non-perishable items, buy in bulk whenever you find something on sale. The items I usually stock up on are, cereals, tinned goods, rice, beans, pasta, coke, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, toilet paper etc. For such items, shopping at warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club etc can save you quite a bit of money, provided you stick strictly to your shopping list when you shop at these places. Buy generic products whenever possible: Does it really matter whether your cereal is made by Kellogg’s or is the store brand? Does it matter if your milk is Oak Farms or the store brand? For a few things (like soda in particular), I prefer brand name products. For others, I do not mind generic store brands if they can save me money. Find what works for you and switch to generic brands for at least a part of your grocery list. Use grocery store bags to line trash cans: This may not work if you use a massive trash can but we use a small sized one for which the grocery bags are a perfect fit. This not only helps us save some money, but reduces our environmental foot print and avoids the kitchen from stinking from a huge overflowing trash can. Consolidate and pay off debt as soon as possible: If you carry any debt, focus on consolidating it to a lower interest and paying it off as soon as possible. Money paid in interest is money thrown away! Why spend your hard-earned cash to make the financial institutions rich? Be aware of your bank balance and avoid over draft fees: If you use your checking account often or have some bills that are paid automatically from your checking account, be aware of the balance and avoid overdraft fees. Avoid ATM fees: Be aware of the ATM withdrawal fees charged by your bank. Price check before buying anything expensive: For other items that are expensive, do a price check before buying the item. If you can wait for a while you can track the prices and grab a great deal when it comes along. Avoid impulse buying: Make it a habit to avoid impulse buying. Bottle your own water: Drinking water is good for your health. I always make it a habit to keep some at my desk at all times. Bottled water is the most convenient since it can provide protection against accidental spills. That said, buy bottled water only once in a while, and then reuse that bottle to fill your own water. If you are not happy with tap water, invest in a Brita Filter – in the long run it can save a lot of money. Avoid the vending machines: Almost everything that is dispensed via vending machines has a huge markup (and is rarely healthy). Avoid credit cards with annual fee: Credit cards with their cash back bonuses and reward points are a great way to save some money. Just make sure that the card does not charge you any annual fees! There is no dearth of cards that offer fee-free reward plans, so there really is no reason to pay the annual fees. Disconnect land line if possible: Unless you have small kids in the house or older people to take care of, it is more than likely that you will be able to survive with only the mobile phones and can get rid of the land line. We have survived without any problems for over 4 years now with out a land line. Our Internet comes via cable. Instead of buying books, borrow books from the library: Whenever possible, borrow your books instead of buying them. The card to your public library is free and the libraries are generally well stocked. In my city, the chain of public libraries is connected and the available books can be checked online. If there is some book that I cannot find in my local branch, I can make a request online for it to be brought in from one of the other branches to mine which is very convenient. If you have to buy books, check if you can buy it used: Used books do not quite give the same feeling as leafing through the crisp pages of a brand new book. But considering that you can get used books for almost as much as half the price of a new book, it is a small price to pay. My favorite place to buy used books is a local chain called “Half Price Book Store” Do regular scheduled maintenance on your vehicles: Do not skimp on or forget to do regular oil changes. Remember to check the air in your tires often. And use the grade of fuel that the owner’s manual recommends. These small acts can significantly lengthen the life of your car, giving you years of use. Ride your bike or carpool whenever possible: In many of the cities in the US it is hard to get by without a car. That said, just because you have a car does not mean you have to use it every day. Whenever possible, ride your bike or share a ride with a colleague or spouse and save both on gas and reduce the environmental footprint. If you watch a lot of DVDs, get an online DVD store membership: Membership to online movie stores like Netflix or Blockbuster Online can save you a lot of money compared to buying DVDs or renting it from a local store. You need to wait once you order the movie, but if you watch a lot of movies at home, then you can easily get into the habit of ordering ahead of time so you always have something at home. If you like watching movies at the theater, go before 6:00 pm: This is one of our soft spots when it comes to spending. We really like watching movies in the theater with the big screen and the great sound effects. But instead of paying ~$10 a pop for the ticket, we usually go before 6:00pm when the tickets are a little less expensive. Also, for movies that we don’t absolutely want to watch right away, we just wait until it screens on the discount theater where the tickets are $2 a pop. We avoid the temptation to buy snacks, by usually going for a theater some time soon after our lunch or sometimes sneaking in our own snacks in the purse. Regulate your electric use: When not in use, unplug electric appliances. Apparently, unplugging the TV instead of just switching it off can save a lot of electricity! When not in a room, switch off the lights and the fan. Use a programmable thermostat to control your A/C and heater usage. If that’s too much, at least know what each appliance uses and unplug a few of them. Plan vacations ahead of time: Vacations are a necessary part of saving our sanity in the busy lives that we lead. But vacations are also a huge drain on the family finances. You can cut the cost of a vacation significantly by planning and booking ahead of time. Bookmark travel sites for finding inexpensive airfare, hotel etc., and book at least two weeks in advance. Avoid credit cards with annual fee: Credit cards with their cash back bonuses and reward points are a great way to save some money. Just make sure that the card does not charge you any annual fees! There is no dearth of cards that offer fee-free reward plans, so there really is no reason to pay the annual fees. Regulate your electric use: When not in use, unplug electric appliances. Apparently, unplugging the TV instead of just switching it off can save a lot of electricity! When not in a room, switch off the
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Save with coupons found in each edition of the Reporter-Herald, page 3
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Create a budget and stick to it, page 10
6.17.09
Ways To Save/Reporter-Herald
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009
inside
Readers share tips on saving money JADE CODY SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
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n the past year, many of us have had to tighten our belts with spending and saving. Some have even cinched up suspenders (the lucky ones, I say). Personally, I am bad at saving money — with or without tight fitting waistline fashion. I eat out too much, play too much and generally do everything else too much, too. But I’m trying. If you are looking for ways to save, too, browse through this ReporterHerald section to find a number of advertisements and articles with helpful ideas. I also asked RH readers to write in with their own tips on how to save. Here is what they sent me:
• Share magazine subscriptions with your extended family. When you’re done reading each one, pass it on. When done completely, send magazines to the magazine recycling table at the public library so others can enjoy. • Get the government coupons for digital converter boxes and cut off satellite and cable. You can save over $100 per month. • Wait for movies to come to the Cinema Saver Six in Fort Collins and limit to once a month or less. • Loveland public library has free story time. It gets the boys out and about, and they have a ton of fun. • Hulu.com has a lot of free shows and movies to watch online. • Cut off Internet service and hit up free Wi-Fi hot-spots. • No land line. Just use cheap cell
WAYS TO SAVE
Save on Groceries ............................................ pg. 3 Summer vacation on a budget ..................... pg. 5 Save on your next auto purchase................ pg. 8 Create a budget and stick to it.................. pg. 10 phones. • Instead of going out to the bars, pick up a shift at a bar. I have just as much fun socializing (have a few free drinks) and I get paid. • I don’t buy CD’s, I get music free on Pandora.com • Collect all the different ads and coupons from all of the grocery stores in the Sunday Reporter-Herald. Take them all to Wal-Mart, they honor them all. Saves at least $200 per month (most of the time we cut our entire grocery total by 50-75 percent). • Go generic. • Get cheap dog food. Our dog is as healthy and happy with his $12 bag of food as he was with his $45 bag. • PBR is good, cheap beer. • Designate a drawer at work for
snacks instead of hittin’ up that overpriced vending machine. • I skateboard to work as often as I can and our VW gets 25-35 MPG. We spend maybe $20 a month on gas. • No gym membership: Push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and running are free. • Grandparents love to spend time with their Grandchildren. Let them while you’re at work. We have just one day of paid daycare. • Go home for lunch everyday and eat leftovers. • I utilized the newspaper’s classifieds to advertise selling plant starts from my yard. The last two weekends I made $78 selling plants that I had thinned out from my yard. Over the last eight years, I’ve probably made over $600.
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Ways To Save/Reporter-Herald
THE WEDNESDAY PAPER (THE GROCERY ADS) The Wednesday paper holds all the ads for the grocery stores. I browse through these to find coupons for specific items at specific grocery stores. Sometimes coupons are only valid for a few days because they possible to save much more if you’re are such a willing to put in a little time and effort. good deal ($1 For some it’s a hobby, for some it’s a for a jar of necessity, but for most people, it’s just peanut butter a smart thing to do. or $.25 for a Saving money is sometimes easier carton of eggs). than making money. Using coupons is IN PACKAGES a simple, sure-fire way to save money LINDA LARSON that requires a little up-front planning Often times, MARKETING/COMMUNITY RELATIONS and perseverance. Before getting start- you find coupons ed saving money with coupons, begin- in certain food f you think you just can’t get your ning couponers must first learn where packages that are grocery dollars to stretch far to get coupons. good for a discount on a future purenough, you’re not alone. The cost chase of that same item. For instance, of groceries — from food to health and THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER South Beach Diet foods often have a beauty aides to cleansers — is enough There are usually one-to-three insert coupon for $1 off a future purchase of to strain the best of budgets. But eatbooklets of coupons for grocery items. another South Beach product. Or cering well and staying healthy doesn’t tain items at the drugstore, like deI can usually find a coupon for brands need to break your budget. odorant or sometimes toothpaste will and products I regularly buy. My faNot everyone has time, energy or have a coupon in it. Chances are if you even space, to maximize their savings. vorite coupons are the ones that will bought the product to use then you give you a free product. Coupons are But you can reduce your costs, using like that product, so why not save moncommonly from Valassis, Smart Source the methods that are right for you. ey on a future purchase of it? and RedPlum. AdYou won’t become a super saver ditionally, large ONLINE overnight, but you can start saving imcompanies like mediately, and add new techniques Search for coupons on any search enProcter & Gamble gine site online and you will find a ton that are appropriate for you. (look for the I can sniff out a coupon or promo of sites where you can print coupons P&GbrandSAVER right off of your computer! Also visit code a mile away. It’s almost like a insert) and game for me — to see if I can find a the Web sites of the companies that Unilever often coupon for whatever I’m going to buy. make the food products, over-thehave special $.25 here, $1 there; it really adds up. counter pharmaceuticals, health and coupon inserts for beauty products, household products Coupons easily can cut 10-to-20 pertheir products. and other consumer products that you cent from your grocery bill — and it’s
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buy. Many of these companies are likely to provide printable coupons on their Web sites, or they will mail or e-mail coupons to consumers who sign up for their e-letters. Some Web sites let you print coupons as soon as you register, while others email the coupons to you periodically. You might want to create an e-mail account specifically for this purpose. You may need to download a couponprinting program. Download these programs only from the Web sites of wellknown companies. Downloading programs from disreputable Web sites � See COUPONS/Page 4
Online coupon Web sites Coupons.com ShopatHome.com Couponsinc.com Internetdrugcoupons.com Couponmoutnain.com Grocerycoupons-save.com Ivillagecoupons.com Grocerycouponnetwork.com Couponsurfer.com Grocerysavingtips.com thegrocerygame.com
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009
COUPON From Page 3
can load viruses onto your computer. One disappointment I’ve found with online printable coupons is that when they print out, it clearly states “No Doubling.” I’m less inclined to want to print them if this is the case, because I can create such terrific deals with store specials and a doubled coupon from the newspaper. THROUGH E-MAIL Many of the online coupon sites have an e-mail list you can sign up for to receive coupons through your e-mail so you don’t have to go online to find them. You can also receive coupons to specific stores/restaurants when you sign up for their email lists. AT STORES Have you ever seen the little red coupon dispensing machines lining the aisles of your grocery store? I have to admit that I haven’t seen as many of them lately, but I do find coupons at grocery stores from time to time — and they are conveniently located right underneath the item they are for. MAGAZINES Many magazines also feature coupons in a lot of their ads. You can often find coupons for grocery items in magazines that are directed towards women (Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, etc.). Fashion magazines tend to have coupons for different makeup and skin care items as well. CLIPPING SERVICES If the thought of picking up a pair of scissors or taking the time to clip turns you off, there are services that will clip any coupon you need for a small fee. For between 5 and 8 cents per coupon, these services will fulfill your coupon order and mail them to you. NOW, TO SHOP I set my goal at saving 45-60 percent on every
Spend Less
grocery trip and the higher the percentage, the more I feel like I won. I can do this consistently with every shopping trip without a lot of extra effort. I know there are people who do better — much better than that. Before you shake your head and believe that it is impossible, read through — it takes organization and time, but anyone can do it. The first step is to start with the Wednesday newspaper and sales flyer. Time to make a list with sales items only. What is worth looking at? Make no commitment to purchasing anything, just note any good prices, or anything you know for a fact you need to buy (perishables, produce). Note any special additional offers, such as the “buy 10 get $10 back,” or “free with purchase.” Again, try not to assume you are going to buy any item just because it’s a good price. The next step is to walk over and open the refrigerator. What do you need, what do you have room for, what needs to be tossed (do it now), and how can you rearrange what you have to fit the most in. We usually need fresh milk, coffee creamer and produce. Check the pantry, cleanser area, laundry and personal care items, too. Next, match up the coupons you currently have with the offers and your immediate needs. Hamburger Helper is $1 on sale, a good emergency staple, but not critical. Add on a $1 coupon, which makes it free, and mark your list to be sure to pick it up. Is something you need not on sale? Keep it on the list, and check prices in the store. If prices are too high and it’s not critical for the next seven days, try to pass it up and hope for a better price next week. If it’s something with a high price, has no sale, no coupon, and is not critical, cross it off the list. Personally, I don’t make a meal plan before I shop. The sales and savings drive the meal planning later, with a bit of creativity. Now, to the store. I have a short list, a few notes and my ever present coupon box. Even though I sort out coupons I know I want to use with sales or critical items, there may be additional clearances or unadvertised sales that I want to take advantage of. Before submitting them during check-out, make sure your coupons are within their expira-
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tion dates. When you're organized, you avoid frustrating yourself and likely the people behind you in line. When is a coupon not a good deal? Knowing this can be as helpful to you as the coupon itself. In most cases, the generic version of what you’re buying is cheaper than the more expensive counterpart even with a coupon. You may be asking yourself, “So why even bother? Why not just purchase generics?” You will need to become couponsavvy in order to recognize when coupons are a good deal and when they’re not. Coupons work best when they’re combined with another deal or are doubled. My store of choice doubles up to 50 cents (i.e., doubles to become $1). No super deals there, but it does help reduce costs. Many grocery stores have loyalty programs that not only give you savings on certain items; they also track your spending patterns and present you with relevant coupons upon check-out to use on future shopping trips. You’ll get the best deals by combining the manufacturer's coupon with a store's coupon. Take advantage of buy one get one free offers. You can use two coupons on these promotions because you're buying two items. You can even use a buy-one-get-one-free coupon and end up getting both for free. I walk every aisle and look. Any sale tags hanging? Any surprise sales? They exist if you take the time to look and find them. You'll get the most savings by waiting until the item you have a coupon for goes on sale. Be careful that you don't wait too long, though, since most coupons have expiration dates. The satisfaction and pay-out comes when you have cleared the finish line (checkout) with a savings that is significant enough to go fill up your tank at the affiliate gas station, where you’ve earned enough points to knock an additional ten cents off each gallon by being a smart shopper. Good luck. Linda Larsen is a career couponer and the Marketing/Community Relations Manager for the Reporter-Herald. She can be reached at llarson@reporter-herald.com.
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Ways To Save/Reporter-Herald
Summer Vacation
on a budget MEGHALA DIVAKARAN FOR THE REPORTER-HERALD
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une 21 is the first official day of summer this year, although it seems like the weather in northern Colorado is unable to make up its mind about it. Many people have made plans to go away for the season, but the uncertain economic condition is making them think twice about it. And yet, the call of exotic places, the thrill of exploring and just taking a break from the humdrum of everyday life is too hard to ignore. There is a way to make the best of both worlds by planning a summer getaway carefully. Summers are a busy time of year, and getting a decent place to stay may pose a challenge if planned at the last minute. Besides, it’s easier to negotiate a good price before others stake their claims. When purchasing other travel options, buying a package may also help save money since they often include lodging, meals and a variety of activities. Another must-do for those looking to save on summer travel is paying a visit to the local visitor center. There are coupons and great deals on lodging, dining and other vacation pursuits. There is also valuable information on local weather and things to look out for. The information is free and advisors at the visitor centers are happy to help. This is
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009
Quick picks for Colorado adventures
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ind below low-budget vacation a night. www.nps.gov/grsa/ ideas from hotdealscolorado.com. GONDOLA RIDES IN VAIL NATURE WALKS IN ASPEN Enjoy summer Gondola Rides in Vail. Long Walks with No ‘Footprints’ in On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Aspen. Visitors can commune with na- from 4-9 p.m. (mid-June through Lature on free guided nature walks led by bor Day), Vail’s Eagle Bahn Gondola ofnaturalists from the Aspen Center for fers free rides up Vail Mountain. Don’t Environmental Services. The 45-minute miss the F.A.C. (Friday Afternoon Club) walks meander along Richmond Ridge featuring live entertainment at 10,000 atop Aspen Mountain, where particifeet. www.visitvailvalley.com pants learn about the trees, birds and animals that thrive in the high-alpine DINOSAUR RIDGE environment. Tours meet at the top of Have a Jurassic Time at Dinosaur the gondola on the hour from 11 a.m. Ridge. Take a self-guided tour of Dito 3 p.m. daily. www.aspennature.org nosaur Ridge. It allows visitors to view Jurassic dinosaur bones, such as alCENTRAL COLORADO losaurus, apatosaurus and stegosaurus Effervescent Experiences in Central fossils as well as more than 300 cretaColorado. Hike through eight miles of paved and unpaved trails at the Garden ceous dinosaur footprints. Stop by the of the Gods, a 480-acre park known for visitor center for a free trail map that its 20 stunning sandstone rock forma- will lead you through viewing stops that tions. Then cool off in the nearby town feature bones, tracks and prehistoric of Manitou Springs, which features sev- ripples preserved in this unique outeral fountains offering natural mineral door setting. www.dinoridge.org water. www.experiencecoloradosprings NEW BELGIUM BREWERY .com; www.manitousprings.org Each year, thousands of visitors deGREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK scend upon the New Belgium Brewery, Sleep Under the Stars in South Cen- looking to sample its award-winning tral Colorado. At the Great Sand Dunes brews. The brewery offers one-hour guided tours Tuesday through Friday, National Park and Preserve, travelers can see the largest sand dunes in North leaving every half hour 1 to 3:30 p.m. America (and slide down them on skis, On Saturday, tours run from 11 to 3 snowboards, sleds, etc.) or watch local p.m. on the half hour. The tours are wildlife such as mule, deer, pronghorn, limited to 20 people and are offered on and coyotes. You can also camp under- a first come first serve basis. neath the starts — all for less than $20 www.newbelgium.com
� See VACATION/Page 6
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Ways To Save/Reporter-Herald
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WHY MAINTAIN YOUR SYSTEM? �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������ ADVANTAGES OF MAINTAINING YOUR EQUIPMENT ��Lower utility costs������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������� ��Eliminate potential problems����������������������� ��������������������������������������� ��Extension of equipment life������������������������ ������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������peace of mind��������� ������������������������������������������������������
������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ����������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ������������������������������ ������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ������������� ������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ �������������������������������
����������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� A LOCAL COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST ����������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������
ith car prices plummeting, this is perhaps the best time in years to buy that dream car. This is particularly true of GM and Chrysler brands with the government stepping in to cover warranties. Car companies are offering deals that have never been offered before and the industry is abuzz with markdowns and great values on trade-ins. Here are some tips to help you buy that dream car at a dream price.
DO EXTENSIVE RESEARCH: John Schneible of Uptown Auto, an independent body shop in Loveland, ������������������������������������������������������ said the first thing every buyer should ����������������������������������������������������� do is to conduct thorough research. ���������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� Read as many car reviews as possible, ���������������������������������������������������� and what’s even better, try and find one ��������������������������������������������������� or two people who own the car and talk ���������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� to them. Read reviews after the car has ���������������������������������������������������� been owned for 10 years or more, since �����970-669-2055�����������www.ncagriff.com� that’s when the real quality of the car ���������������������������������������������������� comes through. According to Schneible, even before up to $2,120������������������������������������� �����������������$89 A/C ��������������������������� going to a dealer, obtain comparative car quotes from reputable online web GOING GREEN sites such as Cars.com, Edmunds .com, Yahoo!Autos, InvoiceDealers, AuIn the spirit of going green, here are 12 things you can do to save money and the environment at the same time. tos.com, MyRide.com and 1. Set heating and cooling temperatures correctly. In the CarsDirect. If unable to get a consensummer, keep ia at 78 degrees. sus quote from online dealers, get the 2. Raise your thermostat in the Summer. Every degree lowest quote and present that to the saves 1 percent on energy cost over eight hours. dealer. If the dealer is unable to match 3. Use a programmable thermostat to save on heating and it, consider buying the car online. cooling costs when you’re not home. 4. Have leaky air conditioning and refrigeration systems repaired. 5. Use the ENERGY STAR program to find energy efficient products for your home. The right choices can save family about 30 percent ($700 a year) while reducing emissions of green gases. 6. Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.. 7. Use the microwave to cook small meals. It uses less power than an oven. 8. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. They cost a little more up front but save money over time. 9. Use durable goods. Bring your own cloth bags to grocery stores and farmers’ markets.. 10. Run the dishwasher and washer only when they’re full. 11. Water your lawn early or late in the day or on cooler days to reduce evaporation. 12. Choose library books over buying new ones and share your own books with friends. Lennox XC21
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PRICE-MATCHING Engaging dealers in a price-match competition is another option. Suma Kuravi of Fort Collins, who purchased a car last year, went to three different dealers and asked the first dealer to match the lowest offer. She saved $4,000 by using the price-match strategy. When the dealer was unable to reduce the price of the car, she asked for a discount on the accessories. “Generally, it is better to buy standard accessories from outside, but if you want to buy the car pre-packaged with certain accessories, you may use that as a negotiation plank. Stay away from certain features like rust-proofing, window tinting, etching, clear marks, etc. — these are add-ons that dealers use to make you pay more,”
Kuravi said. The price-match strategy may also be used to finance the car. Having competitive interest quotes from online vendors and local dealers will make it simpler to negotiate the rate with a dealer. According to Jack Moore of Jack’s Auto in Loveland, “The golden rule in negotiating is to never buy a car in the first visit. Do not be afraid to say ‘no.’ The dealers will always call you back,” he said. For used cars, another factor that should be taken into account is maintenance expense. Think about how much you can afford to pay for a car and add that to the purchase price. Many used cars are out of warranty and you may have to either purchase a warranty or risk paying for expensive repairs down the line. Schneible gave these numbers: • Average yearly maintenance on a vehicle out of warranty: $1,000-$2,000 a year • Independent research on cost per mile: Audi — 28 to 30 cents per mile • Toyota — 12 to 13 cents per mile • Average expected repairs and service needed on a vehicle for sale on a used car lot: $800-$1,000 Any used car should be inspected by a professional mechanic, and most auto repair shops offer these pre-purchase inspections for a fee. Joe Goebhardt, of Davidson Goebhardt Chevrolet in Loveland, said that when buying a used car, lowest mileage and/or price may not be the best indicators of the car’s health. A car may have been used sparingly but not been serviced at all or poorly maintained. “Looking at the car history report at Carfax will give you a better picture of what the car is capable of,” he said. THE TRADE–IN For those looking to trade a used car for a new one, there are some simple rules to remember. Learn about the value of the car by looking up Kelly BlueBook, Edmunds, The National Automobile Dealers Association and by talking to a mechanic, Schneible said. “It is important to make sure that you get a fair price for your car,” he said. BUYING IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER THAN LEASING “Leasing is great for those who like
Ways To Save/Reporter-Herald
to drive new vehicles, especially those that pay attention to the mileage limit on the contract,” Schneible said. Once the mileage limit exceeds, however, it is a different story. Consider leasing if you like to own a new car every two-three years. Those who like to take advantage of cars requiring minimum to no maintenance for the first few years should consider rotating cars every three years. The car is still in very good condition, and you have taken the brunt of its depreciation; waiting to sell it fourto-five years or later will fetch a bad price, Schneible said.
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Schneible added that it is important to compare the terms offered by the dealer and other vendors. “Most warranties have an upper limit of $3,000 and they do not cover routine maintenance,” Schneible said. “They also have four or five levels of service and when considering a warranty, it’s better to buy the highest level that covers electronics and sensors. It does add to the total price of the car and unless deemed necessary in your particular situation, this is an add-on that may be avoided.” BEST TIME TO BUY A CAR Prices are at an all-time low and although the interest rates are not very attractive, if there is an option to pay by cash, the deals are here to grab. “Factories are offering special rebates and dealers are happy to share that information with you” Goebhardt said. Knowing when rebates are offered ahead of time will also give a hook to negotiate with. Goebhardt added that many customers are unaware that sales tax is calculated not according to where the vehicle is purchased but where the customer resides. It is not better to buy a car in a certain state because the state taxes are lower, since the tax will depend on your place of residence. In the end, everything comes down to getting that dream car at a dream price. Passion for a car will certainly go a long way in getting the best price and following the guidelines discussed here will make the job easier. 25-298091
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BEWARE OF AUCTIONS There are several Web sites out there that advertise auctions for vehicles seized by the police and other government agencies. Some of these may be bogus but www.autoauctions.gsa.gov is not. According to Moore of Jack’s Auto, “if a mechanic or someone who knows cars inside out is able to accompany you to these auctions, chances are that you will get a good deal.” These cars have to be bought as-is, however, and even if you have a car history report, an element of risk is always involved. “These vehicles may be inspected but not be test-driven and hence having a CASH VS. FINANCING If a person has the money to buy a new car, there’s mechanic by your side is always helpful. Some aucnothing like it. Investing savings in a long-term sav- tions are restricted to car dealers, and most dealers purchase cars from auctions that are then turned ings account is not always going to yield better returns than paying the annual percentage rate(APR) around and sold,” he said. Knowing the price of the car will help, and the on a car, according to Goebhardt. thing to remember is that you are competing with Once the car is paid for in full, there is nothing to the general public, mechanics and car dealers and worry about, and the entire step of negotiating the the last thing you want to do is get swayed by the finance charge is eliminated. If unable to borrow auction and end up paying more than planned. money from a low-interest financer, or a friend, being prepared for a car financing option is the way to go. While researching car finance options, collecting THE EXTENDED WARRANTY QUESTION People who plan on buying a car for a long term quotes from online vendors and comparing them may consider purchasing extended warranty. These with your dealer would help. warranties are sold by third-party vendors, car deal“Pay attention to term length, interest rates and ers and online vendors. APR’s. A 0 percent APR may seem fantastic at first, “It’s important to read between the lines of the exbut a careful reading may be necessary to understand it fully and making sure that you are not losing tended warranty contract and do the math before deciding to purchase it,” Goebhardt said. money in the long term,” Goebhard said.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009
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Ways To Save/Reporter-Herald
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009
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ash seems to burn a lot of pocket holes. The Consumer Reports Money Book recently found that typical American households carry $38,000 in debt, besides house debt and that total consumer debt has nearly tripled since 1980 from $1.3 trillion to $3.3 trillion. According to the Wall Street Journal, 70 percent of all consumers live from paycheck to paycheck. But according to local budgeting professionals, saving money is a habit easily built through cash flow awareness, setting and keeping financial goals and living within salary means. There are classes on financial stability offered by reputable sources in Loveland on a regular basis, such as the Money Matters program at the Loveland Public Library, area church small groups and Larimer County Workforce Center classes. Money-saving basics are coming back into style according to Larimer County Extension Director Laurel Kubin, a presenter at the Loveland Public Library Money Matters program. The monthly sessions cover a range of money topics, including the June session about budgeting. “Knowing where your money is going is the first step,” Kubin said. “Take a look at those things that are musts in your life and those things that could possibly wait or be of lower priority. Figure out the best way to use the income you have so that you are meeting your basic needs with out over spending and being able to live within your means.” Librarian Susan Linden presented the May money talk on how to utilize bank services safely. She laid the ground-work for smart budgeting by informing the public about the safety of FDIC insured banks and checking out all of the savings and investing options available. Mutual savings banks are insured by the FDIC. A commercial bank has a full range of financial services, such as checking, saving, lending and many
branches have ATMs and FDIC insurance for their accounts. “Monitor your bank’s financial health through the FDIC, make sure your accounts are insured, tighten your money management and increase your emergency fund with 3-6 months of costs covered if something should happen,” Linden said. Linden offered several resources to begin the budgeting process, including “Personal Finance,” a text book by Kapoor, Dlabay and Hughes. The book offered a system for successful money management. The budgeting track started with handling daily business affairs, including paying bills on time; planning and measuring financial progress; completing required tax reports; making effective investment decisions and determining available resources for current and future buying. The budget plan can be crafted after the completion of a statement of financial position. According to Kapoor, a family’s net worth is determined by a simple equation subtracting debt from what is owned. To list items of value, the text suggested these guidelines: • Determine liquid assets — These items of value could easily be converted into cash. This can include easily accessed checking and savings accounts and life insurance cash value. • Assess real estate value — This includes a home, condominium, vacation property or other owned land. • Personal possessions — Items such as automobiles, technology, jewelry and other possessions listed at current market value. • Investment assets — These funds have been set aside for long term goals, reflecting their value at the time the financial assessment is prepared. After household value is determined, the next step is to calculate debt. This includes debts needed to be paid in a short time as well as long term liabili-
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Hill/Irwin personal finance online tool at www.mhhe.com/business /finance/persfinonline/index.html. Once financial health is assesed, Financial Peace University founder Dave Ramsey offers tools to get people out of debt and making financially sound decisions. Loveland Church of the Nazarene recently studied the 13-week Financial Peace University program via video lectures with Ramsey as the content presenter. BABY STEPS The first encouragement Ramsey
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ties, according to Kapoor. Plug both the assets and liabilities into the net worth equation. “A person may have high net worth but still have financial difficulties,” Kapoor wrote. “Having many assets with low liquidity means not having the cash available to pay current expenses.” After determining net worth, the text book suggested creating a cash flow statement to track the outflow of cash during a certain time period. The equation for this information is cash outflows during the time period subtracted from the total cash received during the time period to determine cash surplus or deficit. This statement records income, fixed expenses and variable expenses to help accurately see where money is spent. For more information on how to set up such a budgeting sheet, peruse the McGraw-
For every $1 you spend on wellness, you are likely to save $5 on the costs associated with illness. Regular exercise can boost your immune system and dramatically reduce your risk for chronic disease. The American Institute for Cancer Research reports obesity plays a key role in increasing the risk for many cancers. Regular exercise can help you avoid the disease and its costs. Exercise directly reduces stress and can help your mental performance at work. Every hour you exercise adds two to your life.
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Ways To Save/Reporter-Herald
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Ways To Save/Reporter-Herald
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offered was to help people get out of financial messes by taking baby steps. • Step One: Establish an Emergency Fund of $1,000 ($500 if the household income is under $20,000 a year). • Step Two: Pay off all debt except the house using the debt snowball method. This method requires paying off the smallest debt first while making minimum monthly payments on the other debts. Then when the small-
est debt is paid off, apply those payments to the second smallest debt, working up the chain. • Step Three: Build up three-to-six months of expenses in savings. • Step Four: Invest 15 percent of the household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement. • Step Five: Build up college funding. • Step Six: Pay off the home early. • Step Seven: Build wealth through mutual funds real estate. The class covered in depth how to achieve these baby steps and other topics such as cash flow planning, only buying through bargains and retraining the brain to save instead of consume money.
identify their goals and then work toward them, which often requires changing some habits, are the ones who accomplish their goals.” Kubin stressed that people remind themselves of smart financial planning basics. “It helps if we can be encouraged to use some of the most basic information around money management,” she said. “We really are in control of our money through the choices we make — it is very empowering to feel like we are on top of the game rather than feeling like we are always going to be in debt. We are also a healthier community when we have people that have more financial stability.”
• Smart and Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People by Bryant Quinn. • Unconventional Success: A Fundamental Approach to Personal Investment by David R. Swenson. SETTING PERSONAL GOALS • The Budget Kit: The Common Eric Tyson, financial counCents Money Management Workbook selor and author of “Personal by Judy Lawrence. Finance for Dummies” dis• The Self-Sufficiency Standard for RESOURCES pelled the belief that more Colorado 2008: A Family Needs BudBooks available at the library for money equals more financial seget by Diana Pearce prepared for the check-out: curity. “Folks who accomplish their • Common Sense Economics: What Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute. • The Tightwad Gazette: Promoting goals aren’t necessarily smarter or Everyone Should Know About Wealth Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle higher income-earners than those and Prosperity by James D. Gwartney, by Amy Dacyczyn. who don’t,” Tyson wrote. “People who Richard L. Stroup and Dwight Lee.
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