Super Saving Tips

We Purchased New Laminate Wood Flooring and Here’s Why

October 22, 2019 October 21, 2019

We have lived in our current home now since 2007. That’s just over 12 years and during that time we haven’t done much to the floors around here. We had new carpeting in our living room, dining room, and hallway when we first moved in and truthfully, they’ve been looking pretty worn and stained to the point where it was really bothering us. After all, it wasn’t the finest carpeting when we purchased it and it really didn’t owe us anything after 12+ years of use, did it? It was time for an update and we decided on new laminate wood flooring.

It was time to update our floors and after considering our return on investment, we purchased laminate wood flooring. Here's what went into our decision.

When you do any home improvement, you often hear the abbreviation ROI (return on investment) mentioned. That’s why when we decided to make a change we asked ourselves this question:

“What might be the ROI if we purchase new flooring and besides the beauty aspect, does new flooring mean an increase in the value of our home?”

Shopping

Your Holiday Shopping Season Starts Now

October 18, 2019 October 17, 2019

It’s here already! With Columbus Day (or Indigenous Peoples Day if you prefer) done, the holiday shopping season is here. Shoppers are preparing for the holiday season earlier and earlier every year and your challenge is not to get lost in the shuffle. It seems it was just a few days ago we were all sitting around the pool and enjoying summer and now, guess what? Halloween is just two weeks away and it’s almost November and the official shopping countdown has begun!

Believe it or not, the 2019 holiday shopping season has started! Here's the information you need to get the best deals on your gift shopping list.

If you haven’t given it any thought already, it’s good to think about it right now so you can officially kick your holiday plans into high gear. That’s because more consumers are expected to start their holiday shopping earlier this season, even moreso than in years’ past.

Retirement

Will Your Retirement Be Scarier Than Halloween?

October 15, 2019 October 14, 2019

It seems that before we start working for a living, all we can think about is getting a good job and earning lots of money. I am pretty sure that the vast majority of us think exactly like that when we get to a certain age and that’s probably by the time we near the end of high school or college. After all, we know we are going to be out on our own soon and we need a job. But then a funny thing happens.

If you don't pay attention to retirement planning basics, your retirement may be scarier than Halloween! Here are six strategies to help you plan.

Almost as soon as we start that “first great job”, some papers are shoved in front of our faces and one of them is all about benefits and retirement plans. Retirement planning? I mean, holy crap, I just started working and now I have to think and decide about retirement planning?

Personal Finance

Actionable Ways to Boost Your Savings Before Retirement

October 11, 2019 October 7, 2019

For today’s guest post on saving for retirement, please welcome Danielle Kunkle Roberts from Boomer Benefits.

If you’re already saving for retirement but not where you want to be, now is the time to make positive changes to boost your balance. Even if you feel like you can’t squeeze another dollar out of your budget, there are steps you can take to grow your retirement savings. No matter where you are on your savings journey, these steps will help you reach your goals.

Even if you feel like you're behind on saving for retirement, these simple ways to save will help boost your nest egg and prepare you for retirement.

Lower your investment expenses

Most people pay close attention to returns when they choose mutual funds or other investments for their 401(k) or IRA, but few pay attention to how much they cost. An actively managed mutual fund benchmarked to the S&P 500 can cost exponentially more to own than an S&P 500 index fund. The average expense ratio for mutual funds is between 0.5% and 1.0%, although some niche funds and target-date funds can have ratios well above 1.0% Index funds, on the other hand, charge as little as 0.015%.

Cars, Insurance

How to Save on Car Insurance

October 8, 2019 October 7, 2019

There are certain things that almost everyone is forced to deal with that will cost you money and auto insurance is one of the big ones. It’s always good to save money when you can, but even better when you save on the big expenses in your budget. Today I’m going to talk about how to save on car insurance so you can keep more money in your wallet while still protecting yourself.

Car insurance is critical to have, but can cost a fortune. Here's how to save on car insurance while still keeping yourself protected.

I haven’t talked about it much over the past five years, but every year I am forced to deal with my own auto insurance by doing my homework to try to save as much as possible on it. I simply hate making the payment for it, but we don’t have much of a choice as to whether to buy it or not since it is required by law in 48 of the 50 states. Only the states of New Hampshire and Virginia are exceptions, but even they have some requirements.* But if skipping on auto insurance sounds like a bargain, it isn’t. It’s time now to revisit car insurance and take a good hard look at the ways to save!

Personal Finance

Taking Your Personal Financial Temperature: Net Worth

October 4, 2019 October 4, 2019

Sometimes I wake up with a song in my head. Sometimes it’s from a time and place I can’t actually remember, so that officially means it came from the 60’s, I guess. You know, if you can remember them then you weren’t really there kind of thing. Well truthfully, I do remember them and I was there, but that’s a whole different post, isn’t it? So, here I am with this song in my head today.

You can take your personal financial temperature by calculating your net worth. Here's how to do it, what it means, and how to use the information.

It’s called “It’s a Question of Temperature” and it was a modest hit back in 1967 by a band from right here in NJ called The Balloon Farm.

Health

Can You Stop Prescription Price Greed Now?

October 1, 2019 September 30, 2019

As you may know, prescription prices pay a huge role in my budget and that’s a very important issue for me. Over the past two months, I participated in two separate important events that involve the prescription drug crisis in America. Today, I’d like to tell you about them.

Prescription prices in the U.S. are outrageous. But you can help me fight against big pharma greed. Learn more about what's going on and what you can do.

The first event was a panel discussion group that was put together by a legal firm to discuss a lawsuit filed on behalf of consumers against a major drug company. We discussed a company that is alleged to have paid off and conspired with a competitor to deter and delay the release of a generic version of one of their drugs and thus reaped millions of dollars because of it. (A confidentiality agreement won’t allow me to disclose the names of these two companies here right now.)

Entertainment

The Best Movies Are Free…Sometimes

September 27, 2019 September 26, 2019

My wife and I enjoy going to the movies. Frankly, who among us really doesn’t? I mean, it’s nice to get out and enjoy some escape away from the norm of the TV and even though a live play or concert is a treat, taking a home equity loan to enjoy those for me these days is cost prohibitive. I prefer the free or almost free entertainment available outdoors in the summertime anyway, but back to my point here: the movies. Especially free movies.

The best movies are free movies, when you can get them that way. Read on for how I've seen some free movies recently and perhaps you can, too.

Movie Night at the Local Cinema

Usually, for about $40 around these parts, with popcorn and a couple of small sodas in hand you can catch a new flick at a nearby theater in central NJ. I always get some kind of deal because that’s how I roll as a Super-Saving-Tips kinda guy if ever I decide to actually pay to see a movie. That’s done by taking advantage of senior discounts, two-fers, and all and any discounts available and there usually are discounts if you actually take the time to look. I’ll get back to that point in a moment.