How to Save for a Home When All Your Money Is Going Toward Rent

Renters everywhere are feeling the constraints of rising rents. Higher rents erode your ability to save the cash you need to buy a home. Your living situation becomes a Catch-22: the longer you rent, the bigger percentage of your discretionary income you may need to save to offset rent increases.

Saving up to buy a home is no easy feat. You typically need at least a minimum of $20,000 to cover a down payment plus closing costs. That’s because you’ll need at least a 3.5% down payment to qualify for a mortgage and closing costs can be around $7,000 to $10,000 (about 2% to 3% of the purchase price). This goes without saying, but the higher the home price, the more funds you will need for the down payment.

(Keep in mind, you’ll also need a good credit score to qualify for the best mortgage rates. You can get your credit ready to buy a home by checking your free annual credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and looking at your credit scores for free each month on Credit.com.)

Picture this scenario: you’re diligently putting away at least 15% of your gross monthly income to buy a home in the near future. If your income is $8,333 per month ($100,000 a year) either from you or a spouse or combined, you would be saving $15,000 per year (or $1,250 a month) to meet that 15% mark.

Savings tip: A 15% home savings rate is a figure you may want to aim for if you make at least $60,000 a year and are looking to buy a house within the next two years. In some markets, however, your savings rate may need to be higher to be consistent with the cost of living in that area.

As demand for housing remains strong, monthly rents are subject to change commensurate with what the market will bear. Let’s say your rent payment is $2,200 per month now, but rises to $2,500 due to housing market changes. You would need to find a way to recover the $300 increase if that money was formerly going into your savings fund. How do you do it?

How to keep rent increases from ruining your plan

Taking no action and using the money you would be saving for a home to cover the higher rent payment will lengthen your home-buying trajectory as your savings rate diminishes. With the rent now at $2,500 and your annual income still at $100,000, your savings rate, as a consequence of losing that $300, falls to 11.4% a year.

You may still get you a home, but will perhaps have to look for one in a lower price range or a different neighborhood. Alternately, you can lengthen your timeframe for making your purchase. You can also cut expenses to offset the rent increase. Here are a few ways to possibly do so:

1. Cut an expense equal to the rent increase. Sounds obvious, but if you can find another spending area to cut back on (Daily Starbucks? A rarely used gym membership? Online shopping?) rather than diverting the home savings to cover your higher rent, you’ll be able to stay on track.
2. Look for a new place with a lower rental obligation. The process might be difficult, but could be worth it for the greater good of buying a home in the near future.
3. Move in with family to aggressively save for your new house. Going from $2,200 a month in rent to $0 can super-accelerate your home-buying timeline.
4. Get a roommate to help pay the rent and offset the increase.
5. Lock in your rental amount with a lease, keeping in mind that a lease binds you to the property. This contract, however, might not be such a bad thing if the term of the lease is consistent with your savings and home-buying plan.
6. Consider buying a home sooner, if you’re financially able to do so. Many 401(k) and retirement fund accounts allow for special privilege borrowing provisions to buy a primary residence. If you have a slush fund in your 401(k), this could be a good option and the money comes out of your paycheckpre-tax.
   ———
   This article was written by Scott Sheldon and originally published on Credit.com.

Shared from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/how-to-save-for-a-home-when-all-your-money-is-going-toward-rent/

My Movers Damaged My Landlord’s Property—Am I Responsible?

Moving day is always a pain, but it can be infinitely more so if you damage your landlord’s property while trying to skedaddle out of there with all your stuff. And It’s even worse if you aren’t the one who broke the $500 picture window.

If your mover was at fault, it should offer to pay—but things aren’t always that simple. Here’s what happens when movers won’t pony up.

Your landlord has the right to come after you

Don’t expect your landlord to do the legwork of filing a claim. You hired the movers and invited them into the property—from the landlord’s point of view, it’s your responsibility to pay for damages. So you might have to eat the security deposit while you try to get the money back from the moving company.

You’ll have to review your insurance—and theirs

Yeah, we know—you did the responsible thing and took out insurance to cover your goods. Right? The problem is it covers only your goods.

Typical insurance provided during a move—such as coverage of 60 cents per pound, per item— “would not cover any damage done to the landlord’s building or property,” says Kim Weaver, compliance manager at Relocation Insurance Group in St. Louis, MO.

Instead, the moving company would have to use its general liability insurance, or its auto insurance if the damage was done by vehicle. Some companies may have only cargo and auto insurance. When choosing a mover, you should search the U.S. Department of Transportation’s licensing and insurance page for any companies you’re considering, Weaver recommends. There, you can view details about what types of insurance the company is registered for.

Just don’t assume a mover has general liability insurance.

“In my experience, to get licensed in most areas, a mover has to have insurance,” says Troy Doucet, lawyer and owner of Doucet & Associates in Dublin, OH. “That doesn’t mean everyone has insurance.”

And therein lies another problem: If movers don’t have insurance—or are operating illegally—they probably don’t want you to find them. So how in the world can you get them to pay?

You try to track them down

If you used an unscrupulous mover, your “options for pursuing reimbursement will be limited,” says Pete Johnson, co-founder ofHireAHelper based in Oceanside, CA.

“The customer could tell the moving company they’re planning to take the issue to small-claims court,” Johnson says. “It might produce results and, if it doesn’t, then they can go ahead and file if they have an address for them.”

That’s a big “if.” Even otherwise official-looking movers may have websites without an office location or employee names listed, making it difficult or impossible to track them down. But if you can, here’s what you should do:

• Review copies of all the forms you signed (the moving company is required to give you copies, so make sure you hang on to them). Did you sign a liability waiver? Even if you did, “it may not be enforceable in your state,” says Alicia Dearn, CEO of Bellatrix Law and trial lawyer. This means the company may have tried to trick you into backing down.
• Get a lawyer—if only for a letter threatening litigation. “A situation like this is best resolved by negotiation—a letter from a lawyer can really work wonders in these disputes,” Dearn says.
• Photograph the damage for evidence.
• File a consumer complaint with the state’s attorney general office.

If the mover still refuses to pay, you’ll be looking at settling in small-claims court—it’s up to you to weigh the cost and decide if it’s worth pursuing.

Shared from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/move/movers-damaged-my-landlords-property/

8 of the Creepiest, Craziest Things People Have Found in Their Homes

Buying a new home is exciting, but you don’t want it to be too exciting—say, by finding a gravesite in your backyard. Not cool! For a glimpse of why you should never, ever skimp on your home inspection, check out this list of the most bizarre things new homeowners have unearthed on their property after moving in.

Dead chickens

During renovations in February 2015, the dream home of the Bretzius family in Auburn, PA, quickly devolved into the stuff of nightmares when they discovered their 1930s house had been insulated with dead chickens in the walls, along with spices and other “ritualistic objects.” Why? Experts theorized it was a form of Dutch folk magic known as Pow-wow, meant to ward off sickness, which is ironic because this discovery made homeowner Kaija Bretzius feel sick to her stomach.

“We were shocked, horrified, and disgusted,” Bretzius told WNEP News—even more so when she learned that excavating the carcasses would cost $20,000 (they started a GoFundMe for donations).

13 graves

When attempting to build a deck at the back of her house in Charlotte, NC, in June 2012, Roslyn Wright got a nasty surprise when she unearthed 13 gravestones. With graves underneath, naturally. Granted, Wright had been informed before buying the house that there was a graveyard somewhere out back, but the macabre discovery still gave her a turn.

“I never expected that they would be that close,” she told WSOC-TV. At least if a poltergeist arrived, she’d know why.

A lot of ammunition

The previous owner of this house was fully armed to fight off a zombie apocalypse. At least, that’s what the new homeowner figured as he posted images on imgur claiming he found a secret room containing tons of ammo, including thousands of bullets, military-grade gun crates, a defused grenade, and hundreds, if not thousands, of pennies. Maybe so they could be melted down into more ammo?

An ‘odd’ fellow

A family in Leflore County, OK, happened upon a coffin while searching their barn out back—and within it, a 100-year-old skeleton. The bones, which were found in February 2015, belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, who use skeletons in their initiation ceremonies. Yup, those are odd fellows, all right.

A medieval well

Colin Steer in Plymouth, England, had always wondered why his living room floor dipped in the middle, so he started digging. Three days and 17 feet later, he figured out why.

His home was sitting on top of a medieval well.

Further research and excavation revealed that the well dated to the 16th century and went down 33 feet. Crews also unearthed a sword that must have been tossed in centuries earlier.

“I love the well and think it’s fascinating,” Colin told The Telegraph in August 2012. “I’d love to find out who was here before us. I’ve got a piece of Plymouth’s history in my front room.”

A used body bag

In October 2015, a Detroit woman was cleaning out the garage of her newly purchased home when she came across a menacing find: a body bag, empty but for an “unknown male” tag. The funeral home across the street unequivocally states the bag isn’t theirs, but it’s definitely no super-size Ziploc. Local 4 Detroit tried figuring out who it belonged to and why, but doesn’t have any answers. We kind of hope it never does.Shared from:http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/8-bizarre-finds-by-new-homeowners/

Home Design Tips from Ellen

Who knew? Ellen DeGeneres isn’t just an affable talk-show host and beloved comedian. She’s also an extremely prolific home designer and house flipper, as shown in her new book, “Home.”

“I wanted to be an interior designer when I was 13,” DeGeneres admits in her book—which explains why, over the past 25 years, she has bought and renovated nearly a dozen homes. Each home was an adventure and an education, she recalls. Below, from her book, are a few lessons she’s learned, as well as gorgeous photos of her interiors that illustrate her points.

Neutral colors make the best palette

“I like neutral colors with stronger colors in art, pillows, or a nice throw. Big color statements on walls or furniture can be fun, but limit the possibility of changes.”

———

Get a chalkboard in your kitchen

“Chalkboards make a great, fun statement in a home. You can draw on them or use them practically to make lists or write notes. You can write something like, ‘Remember to put away your shoes,’ just as a random, not-specific-to-my-life example.”

———

Less is more

“When finishing a room, I find it’s often useful to take one thing away. I always want to make sure it doesn’t look overdone or fussy.”

———

Go vintage

“Vintage fabrics can help personalize your home. They can be used for throw pillows, upholstery on a headboard—even a dog bed.”

———

Let there be light—lots of it

“Every room needs more than one light source. Lighting can be harsh or insufficient if you just rely on ceiling lighting. I like soft, even lighting, and I think floor and table lamps are essential to creating the right mood.”

Shared from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/five-home-design-secrets-from-ellen-degeneres/

Veterans Day Facts

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day–a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans–living or dead–but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

VETERANS DAY FACTS

• In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
• In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.
• Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November). In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.

VETERANS STATS

The brave men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life; they are parents, children and grandparents. They are friends, neighbors and coworkers, and an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the current veteran population of the United States.

Did You Know?

There are approximately 23.2 million military veterans in the United States.

• 9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.
• 1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.
• 1.8 million veterans are women.
• 7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.
• 5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).
• 2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).
• 2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
• 6 million veterans served in peacetime.
• As of 2008, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.
• 5 states have more than 1 million veterans in among their population: California (2.1 million), Florida (1.7 million), Texas (1.7 million), New York (1 million) and Pennsylvania (1 million).
• The VA health care system had 54 hospitals in 1930, since then it has expanded to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 live-in care facilities for injured or disabled vets.

Shared from:  http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/veterans-day-facts

Volunteering & its Surprising Benefits

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer.  However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to you, your family, & your community.  The right match can help you find friends, reach out to the community, learn  new skills, & even advance your career.  Volunteering can also help protect your mental & physical  health.  Learn more about the many benefits of volunteering & find tips on getting started as a volunteer.

Benefits of volunteering #1:  Volunteering connects you to others

One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community.  Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together.  Volunteering allows you to connect to your community & make it a better place.  Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, & organizations in need.  And volunteering is a two-way street:  it can benefit you & your family as much as the cause you choose to help.  Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, & boost your social skills.

Volunteering helps you make new friends & contacts

One of the best ways to make new friends & strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together.  Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area.  Volunteering also strengthens your ties to the community & broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, & fun & fulfilling activities.

Volunteering increases your social & relationship skills

While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy & have a hard time meeting new people.  Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice & develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests.  Once you have momentum, its easier to branch out & make more friends & contacts.

Volunteering as a family 

While it might be a challenge to coordinate everyone's schedules, volunteering as a family has many worthwhile benefits. Children watch everything you do. By giving back to the community,you show them firsthand how volunteering makes a difference & how good it feels to help other people & animals & enact change. It's also a valuable way for you to get to know organizations in the community & find resources & activities for your children & family.

Benefits of volunteering #2:  Volunteering is good for your mind & body

Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental & physical health.

• Volunteering increases self-confidence.  Volunteering can provide a healthy boose to your self-confidence, self-esteem, & life satisfaction.  You are doing good for others & the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment.  Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride & identity.  And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life & future goals.


• Volunteering provides a sense of purpose.  Older adults, especially those who have retired or lost a spouse, can find new meaning & purpose in their lives by helping others.  Whatever your age or life situation, volunteering can help take your mind off of your own worries, keep you mentally stimulated, & add more zest to your life.


• Volunteering combats depression.  A key risk factor for depression is social isolation.  Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others & helps you develop a slid support system, which in turn protects you against stress & depression when you're going through challenging times.  Working with pets & other animals has also been shown to improve mood & reduces stress & anxiety.


• Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy.  The physical activity involved in certain forms of volunteering - such as environmental projects in parks, nature reserves, or beaches - can be good for your health at any age, but it's especially beneficial in older adults.  Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of participants.  Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.

I have limited mobility - can I still volunteer?

People with disabilities or chronic health conditions can still benefit greatly from volunteering.  In fact, research has shown that adults with disabilities or health conditions ranging from hearing & vision loss to heart disease, diabetes or digestive disorders all show improvement after volunteering.

Whether due to a disability, a lack of transportation, or time constraints, many people choose to volunteer their time via phone or computer.  There are many projects where you can help.  Writing & graphic design lends itself to working at home, & in today's digital age many organizations  might also need help with email & websites.

If you think home-based volunteering  might be right for you, contact organization you like & ask about the possibilities.  Some volunteer organizations may require you to attend an initial training or periodical meetings.  You also want to make sure that you are getting enough social contact, & tha the organization is available to support you should you have questions.

Volunteering:  The happiness effect

Helping others kindles happiness, as many studies have demonstrated.  When researchers at the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering & measures of happiness in a large group of American adults, they found the more people volunteered, the happier they were, according to a study in social Science & Medicine.  Compared with people who never volunteered, the odds of being "very happy" rose 7% among those who volunteer monthly & 12% for people who volunteer every two to four weeks.  Among weekly volunteers, 16% felt very happy - a hike in happiness compareable to having an income of $75,000-$100,000 versus $20,000, say the researchers.

Adapted with permission from Simple Changes, Big Rewards:  A Practical, Easy Guide for Healthy, Happy Living, a special health report published by Harvard Health Publications.

Benefits of volunteering #3:  Volunteering can advance your career

If you're considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your area of interest & meet people in the field.  Even if you're not planning on changing careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, & organization.  You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings at work once you've honed these skills in a volunteer position first.

Volunteering can provide a career experience

Volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment.  It is also a great way to gain experience in a new field.  In some fields, you can volunteer directly at an organization that does the kind of work you're interested in.  For example, if you're interested nursing, you could volunteer at a hospital or nursing home.  Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations or internships that could be of benefit to your career.

Volunteering can teach you valuable job skills

Just because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic.  Many volunteering opportunities provide extensive training.  For example you could become an experienced crisis counselor while volunteering for a women's shelter or a knowledgeable art historian while donating your time as a museum docent.

Volunteering can also help you build upon skills you already have & use them to benefit the greater community.  For instance, if you hold a successful sales position, you raise awareness for your favorite cause as a volunteer advocate, while further developing & improving your public speaking, communication, & marketing skills.

When it comes to volunteering, passion, & positivity are the only requirements.

While learning new skills can be beneficial to many, it's not a requirement for a fulfilling volunteer experience.  Bear in mind that the most valuable skills you can bring to any volunteer effort are compassion, an open mind, a willingness to do whatever is needed, & a positive attitude.

Benefits of volunteering #4:  Volunteering brings fun & fulfillment to your life 

Volunteering is a fun & easy way to explore your interests & passions.  Doing volunteer work you find meaningful & interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your day-today routine of work, school, or family commitments.  Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, & vision that can carry over into your personal & professional life.

Many people volunteer in order to make time for hobbies outside of work as well.  For instance, if you have a desk job & long to spend time outdoors, you might consider volunteering to help plant a community garden, walk dogs for an animal shelter, or help out at a children's camp.

Consider your goals & interests when volunteering

You will have a richer & more enjoyable volunteering experience if you first take some time to identify your goals & interests.  Start by thinking about why you want to volunteer.  Also think about what you would enjoy doing.  Volunteer opportunities that match both your goals & your interests are most likely to be fun & fulfilling for you.

Tips for getting started volunteering

First, ask yourself if there is something specific you want to do.

For example, do I want...

• ...to make it better around where I live
• ...to meet people who are different than me 
• ...to try something new
• ...to do something with my spare time
• ...to see a different way of life & new places
• ...to have a go at the type of work I want to do as a full-time job
• ...to do more with my interests & hobbies
• ...to do something I'm good at

The best way to volunteer is to match your personality & interests.  Having answers to these questions will narrow down your search.

Source:  World Volunteer Web

How to find the right volunteer opportunity

There are numerous volunteer opportunities available.  The key is to find a volunteer position that you would enjoy & are capable of doing.  It's also important to make sure your commitment matches the organization's needs.  The following can help you narrow your options:

• Would you like to work with adults, children, or animals, or remotely from home?
• Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?
• Are you better behind the scenes or do you prefer to take a more visible role?
• How much time are you willing to commit?
• How much responsibility are you ready to take on?
• What skills can you being to a volunteer job?
• What causes are important to you?

Consider several volunteer possibilities

In your search fr the right volunteer opportunity, don't limit yourself to just one organization or one specific type of job.  Sometimes an opportunity looks great on paper, but the reality is quite different.  Try to visit different organizations & get a feel for what they are like & if you click with other staff & volunteers.  The more satisfaction you have as a volunteer, the better your contributions & the more likely you'll continue.

Where do I find volunteer opportunities?

• Community theaters, museums, & monuments
• Libraries or senior centers
• Service organizations such as Lions Clubs or Rotary Clubs
• Local animal shelters
• Youth organizations, sports teams, & after-school programs
• Historical restorations, national parks, & conservation organizations
• Places of worship such as churches or synagogues
• Online databases 

How much should you volunteer?

Volunteering doesn't have to take over your life to be beneficial.  In fact, research shows that just two to three hours per week, or about 100 hours a year, can confer the most benefits - to both you & your chosen cause. Volunteering should feel like a fun & rewarding hobby, not another chore on your to-do list.

Getting the most out of volunteering

You're donating your valuable time, so it's important that you enjoy & benefit from your volunteering.  It's important to make sure that your volunteer position is a good fit & to communicate with the people you're working with in the volunteer organization.

• Ask questions.  You want to make sure that the experience is right for your skills, your goals, & the time you want to spend.  If you have any questions, be sure to speak up.  Sample questions to your volunteer coordinator might address your time commitment, if there's any training involved, who you will be working with, & what to do if you have question during your experience.


• Make sure you know what's expected.  Before starting, make sure you are comfortable with the organization, know what is expected, & understand the time commitment.  consider starting small so that you don't over commit yourself at first.  Give yourself some flexibility to change your focus if needed.


• Don't be afraid o make a change.  Speak up if your experience isn't what you expected.  Don't force yourself into a bad fit.  Talk to the organization about changing your focus or consider looking for another match.


• If volunteering overseas, choose carefully.  Some volunteer programs abroad can cause more harm than good if they take much-needed paying jobs away from local workers.  Look for volunteer opportunities with reputable organizations.


• Enjoy yourself.  Most importantly, make sure you're having fun!  The best volunteer experiences benefit both the volunteer & the organization.  If you're not enjoying yourself, ask yourself why.  Is it the tasks you're performing?  The people you're working with?  Or are you uncomfortable simply because the situation is new & unfamiliar?  Pinpointing what's bothering you can help you decide how to proceed.

Shared from:  http://www.helpguide.org/articles/work-career/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm

14 Foolproof Ways to Lower Your Living Expenses

We've all been there. Can't resist the new model year of your current car. Hey, it's only an extra $90 per month (plus an insurance bump of $37 a month, but who's counting?). Seduced by the cushy sectional that would pull the whole living room together and will only cost $60 per month. That great deal for upgraded Internet and all the move channels. What's another $23 a month?

Problem is, before you know it you're sinking in bills and your monthly payments have become a burden. Here are 14 ways to lower your monthly nut and get back to stress-free living.

1. Renegotiate everything

That means cable/satellite, phone and cell phone contracts, Internet service, bank fees, even your gym membership. You never know what's possible until you ask.

2. Lower your credit card rate

If you have decent credit, you might be able get your credit card company to lower your rate and/or maybe get rid of some of the fees. Transferring a balance to a card with a lower rate is another good trick for lowering payments and doesn't even require you to ask a representative for anything.

"If you don't have an account with a lower rate, shop for one," said CreditCards.com. "Also, see if an offer for a balance transfer might provide a lower rate. Before jumping at a balance transfer offer, though, run the numbers on a balance transfer calculator to make sure the deal makes sense after you consider the fees and the duration of the teaser rate."

3. Cut the cord

You could opt to get rid of your cable or satellite altogether and use streaming services instead. It's a growing option that can save you a good amount of money while still providing a wide variety of viewing options. For example: "Netflix and Hulu Plus both cost $7.99 per month each, while Amazon Instant Video will cost you $99 per year, which is $8.25 per month," said GottaBe Mobile. "This means the total cost for these three services all together would be $24.23 per month, which is a lot less than you'll ever pay for a cable subscription."

GIZMODO

How does that compare with your current bill? It's about one-sixth of what we're currently paying. Calling DISH in 3...2...1...

You can get more info about cutting the cord here.

4. Refinance your house

If you have enough equity in your house and rates have dropped since you bought (or refinanced the last time), you might be able to refi and lower your monthly payment. Remember that refinancing will add to what you owe, so if you were trying to pay your home off quickly, this would be counterintuitive.

5. Refinance your car

Refinancing your car could save you "hundreds of dollars each year and sometimes thousands over the life of the loan," said Bankrate. But only if you do it under the right circumstances. Check out their "5 situations when it makes the most sense to refinance your car" to see if you meet the criteria.

Drive Sure

6. Do a leak check

A leaky home is one you're paying too much for in heating and cooling bills. Do an energy audit to check for drafts coming in through window or under doors, among other places, and you could save more than $1,000, said RH Foster Energy.

7. Eat in

Or, at least bring your lunch to work a few days a week. According to Jeff Yeager, author of "The Cheapskate Next Door, a family that commits to eating at home can save $3,000 in one year and eat just as well," said ABC News.

8. Carpool

"The Daily Green calculated that the average American uses about 7 gallons of gas per week commuting to and from work," said abc News. "Share your ride and the gas bill with just one friend, you each save $650 a year. If four of you carpool, you each save nearly $1,000."

9. Shop smart

One of the greatest sources of waste in our household? Food that has to be throw away at the end of the week because it's gone bad. And we're not alone. USA Today says Americans trash $640 worth of food every year.

Nourishing the Planet

Meal plan, buy only what you need for a few days and hit the market again mid week, use coupons, freeze leftovers - all of these tips will help.

10. Check your balance

Hidden costs may be lurking - memberships you didn't realize you still had, anything you put on autopay that you're no longer using, old dating sites, gaming and iTunes charges you're unaware your kids are making. Look over your bank and credit card balances carefully to eliminate the riffraff.

11. Buy store brands

Some might be close to or equal to the name brand stuff you're buying. "Store brands often cost 25 to 30 percent less than name brand equivalents, which is an added benefit for customers," said CheatSheet. They can help you figure out which store brands are worth it, and when you should stick to the name brand.

12. Pay insurance and other bulk payments in full

Yes, coming up with large chunks of cash to pay for car insurance, home insurance, and home warranties can be rough. But some of these may end up costing you more if you have to pay a "convenience fee" for splitting up the payments.

13. Clear out the clutter

You know what they say: One man's trash is another man's treasure. Do a sweep of your home, setting aside anything you don't need or want anymore. Whether you list it on eBay or Craigslist, have a yard sale, take any acceptable items to a resale store, or all of the above, you may be surprised at how much money you can make for stuff you didn't even like anymore.

14. Donate!

You won't get paid for donating your old clothes, household items, and the like, but you will get a tax write-off at tax time. Be sure to get or complete an itemized receipt.

Shared from:  http://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice1/item/39843-20151105-14-foolproof-ways-to-lower-your-living-expenses