138 Money Tips: Smart Strategies for Dealing with Debt, Using Body Language to Land a Job, Selling (or Buying) Used Stuff, and More

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Also, reasons why you’re unable to save, reasons why you should spend, mistakes that everybody should make at least once, and why you’re a sucker if you “lather, rinse, and repeat.”
3 services for making cheap or free phone calls via the Internet. From USA Today, a primer on the pros (cheaper calls) and cons (no 911) of services you should at least consider, such as Skype:

Skype is known for its software that places free computer-to-computer calls and video chats, but Skype can also call landlines and cellphones. You’ll pay $3 monthly for unlimited calls in the United States and Canada. Unlimited North America calling costs $8 monthly. For unlimited calls to 40 other countries, you’ll pay $14 monthly. Pay-as-you-go calls start at 2.3 cents per minute.

4 ways to deal with debt. From the Red Tape Chronicles, some suggestions for what to do when you’re drowning in debt, including negotiating a debt settlement, meaning:

Offering a creditor, such as a credit card company, a lump sum payment on a debt at a negotiated lower amount. For example, a consumer who holds a $12,000 balance on a Visa card might accumulate $8,000 and offer to give the issuing bank that amount in exchange for forgiveness of the rest of the debt.


5 tips for paying down credit card debt.
From SmartMoney, which warns against signing up with a debt-settlement operation:

Many of these companies charge up-front fees and encourage clients to deliberately skip credit card payments, leaving consumers deeper in trouble with creditors, and out substantial sums of money, before it’s clear whether the company will ever achieve anything on the client’s behalf… As of Oct. 27, a new FTC rule will prevent debt-settlement companies from charging any fees until they actually win a consumer a debt reduction or another new deal with a creditor. Consumer advocates say this shifts the balance somewhat in consumers’ favor, but it’s still better to negotiate a settlement directly with a creditor.

5 ways companies trick us into buying more. From Mint.com, which calls into question product usage instructions such as Lather, Rinse, Repeat:

Nowadays, not only does “rinse and repeat” increase shampoo sales, it also increases sales of other hair products, since excessive washing can dry out hair, leading to the purchase of conditioners and other treatments.

5 mistakes everyone should make. From Real Simple (via cnn.com) in a story asking for advice from successful entrepreneurs and authors, one of whom suggested voicing one’s opinion, even if it ruffles people’s feathers:

I soon realized that my silence implied that I was on board with whatever was being said. I started voicing my opinion, even on controversial subjects, regardless of how my comments would be received. Occasionally colleagues would roll their eyes, but I found that even those who disagreed with me came to respect me for not backing down. Sometimes my ideas will make me unpopular, sure, but that’s better than being a blank slate.

5 body language tips for job interviews. From expert Sharon Sayler (via WalletPop), and apparently body language also includes the right tone of voice:

When applying for a service position, you should generally use the “connection” voice pattern – one that is friendly, ending each sentence with the voice going upward, as if you’re asking a question with the chin tilting up about an inch. For management positions, Sayler encourages using the “credible” voice pattern – one that maintains a calm cadence, almost monotone, with the chin dipping down a bit.

5 tips for car maintenance the right way. From Consumer Reports, which among other things says there’s no reason you should ever pay somebody to give your car a once over to see if repairs are needed:

Don’t pay a shop to inspect your vehicle for needed repairs. The mechanic essentially is prospecting for work, and you shouldn’t have to pay for that. Many shops offer free inspections.

5 tips to a better sandwich. From chef Sisha Ortuzar in an interview at CNN’s Eatocracy blog, where he advises against over-toasting:

“Toast only one side of the bread. Namely, the side going on the inside of the sandwich. The toasted side will act as an insulator from wet ingredients and help the sandwich maintain structure. Equally as important – facing the untoasted side out will prevent you from scratching the roof of your mouth.”

5 strange places to find the best deals. From SmartMoney. One such strange place is an auction held by the police or another government entity:

Local governments, schools, airports, the military and even fire departments also host surplus auctions to get rid of furniture and supplies they can’t use. Meanwhile, the local police auction off anything they’ve seized, including the little stuff, like perfume.

5 reasons why Americans can’t save. From Bill Shrink, which, down at the bottom of an infographic showing how much (or how little) income Americans save annually (6% compared to 14% in Switzerland and 30% in China), explains why we such at saving. One reason is the phenomenon known as “lifestyle maintenance”:

Most people increase their expenses as quickly as they increase their income. The problem is that they can’t give up their improved lifestyle when they face financial hardship.

6 painless ways to cut your grocery bill. From CR’s Tightwad Tod, a half-dozen basic strategies such as pacing your purchases:

You rarely have to pay full price for the staples you buy again and again. Products go on sale at predictable intervals that are easy to figure out if you read your store’s flyer every week. For example, if you prefer Tropicana orange juice, you’ll notice it’s on sale every few weeks. So buy it during those times and save.

8 reasons to spend money. From Money Reasons, where the main reasoning to spend is that nobody wants to die and leave “a coffin full of dollars.” It is better, for example …

To treat your girlfriend or wife to a surprise romantic dinner! I’ve only done this once, but it was great!

10 bits of advice for the “poor rich.” From the WSJ’s Brett Arends, who advises folks with incomes over $250K to stop bitching (at least publicly) that their tax rates are going up, and to instead take sensible steps, like adjusting your expectations:

“I can show you a client of mine right now who lives in a suburb of Chicago, he’s a doctor, makes $350,000 a year, and he routinely racks up $25,000 on his credit cards,” says Michael Kalscheur, a financial planner at Castle Wealth Advisors in Indianapolis. The reason? Too many people have “unrealistic expectations,” says Mr. Kalscheur. They figure they should be vacationing in Italy, driving expensive cars, the whole deal. “We need to knock him upside the head. He’s got to stop spending money.”

11 (or so) tips to selling your gadgets online. From LifeHacker’s Definitive Guide, where the suggestions include throwing in a few surprise accessories or extras when trying to close the deal:

If I’m selling in person (as in via Craigslist), I like to save something as a surprise. For example, if you have a case for your iPod or smartphone, you can leave that one out of the listing. When you meet with the buyer and show them the iPod, you can say “by the way I also have this case I don’t need anymore, if you want it.” It’s a nice gesture to make, even if you’re just giving them something you would have anyway.

11 ways to save money in college. From Bill Shrink. Start out your saving strategies by borrowing as little as possible:

That extra three grand a semester looks super appealing now, but it could sting for a long. When you’re 40, working through a second divorce, supporting your kids and STILL paying off a student loan for a giant flame you had stenciled onto the side of your ‘98 Chevy Lumina, you’ll regret it. You won’t have the Lumina, but you’ll still have the loans. Be smart, loan out what you need and leave the rest off your tab.

15 top foods to keep in your pantry. From Parenting Squad, highlighting the well-known idea that if your pantry is stocked with useful ingredients that can quickly be combined into something edible, you’ll be a lot less likely to need to hit the drive-thru. Ingredients like:

Taco shells. Fill ’em with meat, potatoes, beans, or veggies. There are few things you can’t put in a taco.

20 things it’s cheaper to buy than DIY. From Coupon Sherpa. The key to smart DIYing is to tackle projects when they’re time- and cost-effective. You’re probably better off paying somebody else, for instance, for:

Formal Printing Jobs
A lot of people try to cut costs by using their home printers for formal invites, posters, complex advertising publications, etc. In the long run, it’s cheaper to use a professional printer.

20 things to shop for at secondhand stores and consignment shops. From the Simple Dollar, suggesting, among other things, silverware:

It’s often easy to come across complete (or nearly complete) silverware sets at secondhand shops. Take it home, clean it thoroughly, and you’ll find yourself with all of the dining utensils you need without much of a bill.

Read more:
‘Supermarket Smarts’: 50 (or so) Tips for Saving on Groceries