Posts by AmberHarp:
Take Your Time Back From the Television
March 4th, 2009There are many articles on personal finance tips that involve cutting out the cable in your home in order to save yourself a lot of cash throughout the year. While this can be a wonderfully cut to make your finances stronger and your debt smaller, cutting out the tube can be a major change in many people’s lives. However, not only can cutting out the cable be a way to improve your financial situation, it can also be the ultimate way to increase the productivity in your life.
How many times have you heard or even said that there is just never enough time in your day, your week, your year to get accomplished what you need to get done? Then consider how many hours a day you watch television. Chances are good that in actuality, you have the time to do what needs to get done if you turn off the tube.
Television for many is a distraction. It is thought that television helps you to relax, but the truth is that it does just the opposite. It gets you keyed up and that is why it is recommended that you don’t watch television before going to bed. In studies conducted with people who watch several hours of television every day, it is those couch potatoes who prove to be the most unhappy in their lives.
Consider all the things that you could be doing, particularly related to living a debt-free life. Instead of sitting for hours watching the soaps and the talk shows, start thinking of ways to improve your life, decrease your debt, and do away with the cable for good.
Here is a starting list of ideas that you could do to improve your life and your finances by turning off the television:
Family Time
There can be a lot of positive rewards that stem from close family ties. Instead of “bonding” over an evening of sitcoms, put in some more quality family time. When the weather is good, go to the park, take a hike, play outside like you did when you were a kid. Too many kids are wasting their youth sitting in front of the television but with parents who get up and move, the kids will have a positive role model to follow in their lives. Plus, everyone will benefit from the interaction that doesn’t involve television or video games. The more creative play you can come up with, the less money you need to spend on outside entertainment for bored kids.
School Time
If you had some extra hours in the day that could be turned into an opportunity to make more money, wouldn’t you take it? Everyone wants to make more money but not everyone possesses the educational background necessary to move on up in the working world. Stop procrastinating and get back to the books. Earning a better degree or choosing to study in a different field that could be more lucrative is a much better way to spend your time than if you continue to channel surf.
Work Time
Many people think they need to get a new job in order to make more money, but there may be ways to do just that at your current workplace. Could you work some over time? Learn new skills for the promotion? Get a leg up by doing extra work? If any of these things are possible at your current job then get on it. Do not come home and veg out in front of the television when you could be earning extra cash to reduce your debts.
Reading Time
If you feel the need to be carried away to different lands, find a book. You can learn a lot by reading. You will improve your reading and language skills and it is a great way to spend a sunny weekend in the hammock, finding true relaxation. There are some incredible books out there, both fiction and non-fiction, discover them today.
Reward Time
While cutting the cable may seem like a drastic measure, it doesn’t have to mean that you never turn the television on again. If you have a membership to a video club, in a addition to renting the movies you want to watch for a bit of entertainment, you can also rent the series television shows you liked to watch in the past. It’s a great way to watch your favorite shows and the best part is there are no commercials. You’ll end up wasting less time watching what you love.
Tisha Kulak Tolar is a writer for DebtFreeDestiny.com where she regularly writes about debt consolidation, debt settlement and saving money.
10 Free Ways to Show Your Family Love
February 28th, 2009With Valentines Day soon upon us, it can be difficult to realize you ma not have enough extra cash to express your love sentiments with material things. But by making Valentines a family affair and by understanding that you are not rowing the boat alone, you can certainly make a Valentines Day to remember.
Here are 10 free or low-cost ways to say I love you without breaking your debt resolutions:
1. Get Kid Creative in the Kitchen
Kick mom (or dad) out of the room and gather the kids together for a Valentines Day bake off. Make cookies in the shape of hearts and let the kids do the dough stamping. Giving a simple sweet treat concocted by the kids can be an endearing gift for any parent.
2. Write a Poem
The kids can help you rhyme words together to come up with a silly poem. Handwrite it on a piece of construction paper or nice stationary. The kids can decorate the card with their own special talents.
3. Take a Family Photo
Any parent would love a permanent memory of their loved ones. Take the kids on a nature walk and photograph them candidly as they play around. It will cost a little money but have the photos developed and enlarged to serve as attractive decorations for the home in a nice collage form.
4. Perform in a Play
Spend an hour or so prepping the kids for an impromptu play in your own living room. They can think of ways to express love and create a little play for their captive audience.
5. Circle of Memories
Sit in a circle with your family and go around the room until each member gives on reason why they love being a part of the family. Share some memories in the process. There is nothing that says I love you more than a fun walk down memory lane.
6. Get Crafty
Kids love to make crafts so sit together and have them make their own valentines for their family members. Let them get as creative as they want. Mom and Dad can join in the fun by making personalized cards for each of their children too.
7. Have a Lovely Ice Cream Party
This delicious idea is a lot of fun but will cost you a couple of bucks. Visit the grocery store and have the kids identify all the different kinds of sundae toppings that are red, such as sprinkles and cherries. Grab a tub of ice cream (don’t forget the coupon) and host a family ice cream social on Valentines Day at home. The small price definitely beats the cost of taking the entire family out for a meal and dessert.
8. Have a Dance Party
Have the kids pick out songs about love from your CD collection (G rated please!). Then get to dancing with them around the house. Daddies and daughters and mommies and sons can each share a few slow dances together just as if it was a real Valentines Day dance.
9. Spread the Love
Make a family video to send to loved ones far away. Be silly, be funny but don’t forget to say I love you . Upload it to your computer or copy it to a disc and send it off to grandma and the other relatives you don’t see very often.
10. Just Say It
Saying I love you often is the best way to express your love. It will also teach your kids to not be shy about their emotions and will confirm the fact that as a family, each member is truly loved.
Tisha Kulak Tolar is a writer for DebtFreeDestiny.com where she regularly writes about debt consolidation, debt settlement and saving money.