This is a guest post by Jacelyn Thomas. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
With such a significant portion of our lives now taking place online, there are more and more instances and opportunities for fraud and misuse of personal information. We purchase things online using our credit cards, we conduct business online, we put our personal information on social networks, and we email some of our most private and important information all the time. While the worry over identity theft has quieted some over the years, preventing identity theft remains a real concern. While much of the threat for identity theft and credit fraud is online, actual physical identity theft threats remain possible as well. One of the best ways to ward off dangerous and costly fraud is to understand how thieves access your personal information. These are some of the ways that identity fraud happens and why identity theft protection should be important to you. Understand the mind of the criminal to prevent identity theft from happening to you.

Dumpster Diving

While this technique may sound outdated and, well, silly, dumpster diving is actually one of the more common ways that thieves access your personal information. While many people are becoming more aware of preventative actions for online theft, many are becoming less diligent with physical papers and documents that can make them vulnerable to fraud. Absolutely, it is important that you keep careful track of the documents you discard in your own home. However, one of the biggest problems is offices and companies discarding of papers containing your personal information in a way that is unsafe. For this reason, many companies use a paper shredder to securely and safely dispose of documents with any sensitive information on them. Thieves will rummage through the trash looking for bills or other papers with personal information on them. If these documents are shredded and spread across numerous trash receptacles, the likelihood of anything being stolen is greatly reduced.

Phishing

Phishing has been a prominent problem online for some time. People will pretend to be a company or financial institution online and try to convince you to give them your personal information. It was with this technique that many people suffered identity theft when the internet was still young. These false companies will send pop-up messages or spam to you to try to get information from you. Today, most internet users recognize what sites, messages, etc. are phishing and what is not. However, it remains a threat online to your personal information’s safety. Of course, before entering any information into a website or even clicking on a button that pops up, you should carefully evaluate what that website or pop-up is and whether it is legitimate or not.

Pretexting

With this technique, thieves get your personal information by using false pretenses and then use that information with your financial institution to obtain access to your finances. For example, someone might call you asking for personal information, such as your address, birth date, or social security number (a huge indicator of fraud), claiming to be someone who might legitimately need that information. Once they have obtained your information,

they may call your bank, pretending to be you and is able to access your accounts. While this method is not necessarily one of the most commonly successful, it is a threat to your personal information and identity. Pretexting is against the law. No person is legally allowed to use false statements or documents to get your information from a bank or other institution.

Doing your best to understand the mind of a thief is a great way to prevent identity theft from happening to you. If you are cognizant of the practices of dumpster diving, phishing, and pretexting, you should be way ahead of others who are uninformed in the ways of stealing your precious identity.

This is a guest article by Jacelyn Thomas. Jacelyn writes about identity theft protection for IdentityTheft.net.

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This is a guest post by Jessica Markam. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
These days, buying a house is considered one of the wisest investments you can make. Interest rates are extremely low, home prices have fallen considerably, and property taxes and closing fees for mortgages cost less than they have during the past decade. Whether or not you have purchased your home recently, or got caught up in the housing boom before the market crash, you have the opportunity to save money on your house and use it as you please.

Saving Money – The Basics

If you are about to buy your home or are shopping around for a great deal, take time to consider bank-owned foreclosures and short-sale properties. These homes are owned by financial institutions that are desperate to get rid of them. While the closing time is often longer than buying a home from an individual owner, the investment of time is well worth the savings you can get on the final price. These homes are often offered at steep discounts, sometimes selling for up to 20 or 30 percent less than what they were listed for.

Also take into consideration any home upgrades or construction issues that need to be resolved with the property. These can often be leveraged to get an even deeper discount on the home, or better, have the bank that owns the home complete the repairs for free before moving in. Anything about the home that needs repair or attention before you move in can be taken care of on the banks dime or at a discount to you.

Saving on Your Current Home

Suppose you have already purchased a home. Depending on how you originally financed your home and if you are current on your payments, you may qualify for an FHA or conventional streamline refinance. These are two different versions of the same thing. An FHA streamline refinance is a refinance that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). This means that the loan is insured and protected by the federal government, as opposed to a private mortgage insurance provider. This saves you money, as the cost of your mortgage insurance is included in your loan and paid off in your monthly mortgage payment. The cost of FHA insurance is generally less than what it costs from a private insurance provider, and the convenience saves you time and hassle. This kind of refinance is available only to those who have an FHA loan as their original home mortgage. The refinance enables FHA borrowers to refinance their home without an appraisal, and with lower closing costs, which are also rolled into the cost of the loan, making them quick and easy to pay off.

If you don’t have an FHA loan for your mortgage, you may qualify for a conventional streamline refinance. This is essentially the same thing as an FHA streamline, except that the loan is not insured by the FHA. You are responsible for finding a private mortgage insurance provider and arranging your own mortgage insurance. You will still be able to refinance your home without an appraisal, but may need to pay the closing costs up front, out-of-pocket.

How Does This Help You Save Money?

Many people wonder how they are able to save if they have to pay to refinance their homes and if the loan is still for the same amount. The savings come down to the details found in the interest amount. When a bank lends you money to purchase a home, they charge you an annual fee which is a percentage of the total amount loaned. This means that as you pay off your home, the amount you pay in interest goes down, but over a 30 year mortgage, you will end up paying several thousands of dollars just for interest.

Because of the drop in the housing market and economy several years ago, banks have had to lower the amount they charge to borrow money so that people will still be interested in buying homes. This means that if you had an interest rate of 6% when you bought your home and rates have dropped to 3.5%, you are able to apply to refinance your loan and only pay 3.5% interest on your borrowed money. Depending on the amount borrowed to purchase your home, this could add up to tens of thousands of dollars. New home buyers and those looking to refinance are able to get home loans with historically low interest rates, making right now a great time to consider purchasing a home or refinancing to save money.

Do What’s Best for You

It never hurts to look around and see if there is the possibility to save money. Even if you can afford your monthly mortgage payment, a refinanced rate will allow you to pay less or the same amount each month and pay off your home more quickly. This will allow you to get out of debt, save more, take a vacation, or pursue other interests that you weren’t able to previously afford. Shopping around and talking to lenders about their costs and available rates is free, and can only benefit you.

This guest article was written by Jessica Markam who blogs about personal finance and saving money. She specializes in mortgage information and works on the website StreamlineRefinance.net.

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This is a guest post by Chris Stanbridge. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
Decorating a room based on a theme adds life to a room. A themed room is unique in its styling and has a personality of its own. The best thing about themed rooms is that it lets you express your imagination and creativity. Room theme ideas can revolve around a color, a country, an era, or a movie. The challenge is yours to take. Room decorating ideas for working around a theme is both fun and challenging. However, you need to tread carefully to avoid over doing anything. Remember, the room you are decorating on a theme is part of your house and, at the end of the day, it should feel like it. Choose a theme to which you can relate. Avoid following a fad simply because everyone else is doing it.

Selecting a themed room

A theme helps to set the mood of a room. Bedroom decorating ideas are numerous but for this space it makes sense to go for a theme that has a calming effect. Anything garish and loud will make you hate the theme in a couple of days. For a children’s room, you don’t have to pick the room decorating ideas.  You should give them the freedom to choose a theme all by themselves. This is a great way to express their creativity. The theme should be in sync with the room’s functional purpose.

Follow the theme

Don’t deviate from a theme once you’ve decided upon one. Keep the theme in mind when purchasing furniture and accessories for a room. Make sure that all your purchases have a unifying theme. This is the most important rule for theme decorations. The purchases you make are likely to be expensive so avoid making any purchases that later look out of place and make you regret you decision.

Shopping for the theme

It is vital that you buy your furniture and other accessories such as curtain, carpets, and rugs first as it’s easier to match paint and flooring with furniture than trying to match items that match your paint. Avoid the impulse to get your walls painted and decorated before making other major purchases. This will prevent the chances of any deviation from the theme.

List your essential accessories

No theme is complete without the essential accessories. Search online to find out exactly what you need to complete the effect of your themed room. There are many websites which offer great advice and insight on different themes. Make a list of items that you need before visiting your favorite stores to avoid buying unnecessary or irrelevant items.

Add your own personal touch

No matter what your theme, don’t forget to add your personal touch. This will make your themed room uniquely yours and not look like something copied straight from a home décor magazine. Carefully work on the details to enhance the theme.

Room decorating ideas, when it comes to creating a themed room, must be carefully considered.  If you are diligent in your selection process, follow the theme closely when purchasing furniture and the essential accessories, and add a personal touch, you will be thrilled with your new themed room for many years to come.

This guest article was written by Chris Stanbridge who has been designing interiors for over 10 years. Chris specialises in French furniture and especially french provincial tables.

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This is a guest post by Miguel Salcido. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
The economy is slowly recovering, but that doesn’t mean you have the budget to spend hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars on your home. Who says you can’t have killer style on a tight budget? Take a look at these 10 home decorating ideas on a budget to help you get the style you are looking for, and to keep your hard-earned dollars in your bank account.

1. Consider Using Reclaimed Wood

Need a new bookshelf? What about a bar in the dinning room? Instead of buying your dream bookshelf, save some money and make it yourself. Reclaimed wood is a great alternative and since it’s recycled wood, it’s environmentally friendly as well.

Instead of buying stain, opt for wood oil. It gives the reclaimed wood a great color, and brings out its natural beauty. If the wood is thin, such as pine, buy self-drilling screws. These screws won’t split the wood, and are just as strong as regular screws. DIY home decorating ideas sometimes can be the best and the ones of which you are most proud.

2. Use Piping as a Construction Material

If you want an urban/industrial edge for your home, piping is a great cheap option. Take a quick trip to a hardware store and you have the frame for that new bookshelf or bar. If you want to go for an even funkier look, spray paint the pipes to make them the focal point of any room.

3. Introduce Quail Eggs as an Artistic Flair

Yes you read that right, quail eggs. Quail eggs have a unique shell that can add a fun pattern in any room. Find a clear vase, and fill it with the quail eggs. To give the vase more texture, add some regular eggs as well.

But won’t they smell? Before you get going with the eggs, make sure you empty out the yolk. To do this pierce a small hole in the top of the egg and drain the yolk into a bowl. Once all the eggs are empty CAREFULLY boil the shells to make sure you get all of the yolk out. Cheap home decorating ideas like utilizing quail eggs in a glass vase can make a real difference in your home decor and style.

4. Implement Bold New Window Treatments

Getting a new pair of curtains can transform an entire room. Find something that has interesting texture, or bold in color. Changing just one thing in a room can completely transform a room.

5. Incorporate Old Books as a Design Option

Old books can add color and give your room a touch of funk. Go to a used bookstore and start searching. You want to look for books with covers that are a solid color. If the cover has a funky design or multiple colors it can distract the eye and look too over the top. Once you find the books, add them to shelves, an entire bookshelf, or your coffee table to give the room a new look.

6. Create your own Art

Instead of paying thousands of dollars on the latest in art design, create art. Take a picture of a great flower, fun outdoor space or something you just really enjoy. Blow the picture up and find a fun frame and you can have a gorgeous picture without the high price.

Craft stores can also be your best design secret. Buy different sized canvases and paint a spectacular design to add flair to a room and create your own wall art. If you aren’t the next Picasso, don’t worry. Find a unique piece of cloth to add texture to your room, and add a unique look to the canvases.

7. Consider Throw Pillows as an Accessory

A throw pillow can cost $5 or $500. Target has a great selection of throw pillows that won’t break your bank. Things to look for when buying new pillows:
- Texture: Texture makes a pillow fun, funky and can spruce up your room easily.
- Bold Colors: If you have a tan couch, add color to your room with a bold color choice.

8. Treasure Hunt for Unique Lighting

Antique or vintage lighting can cost you hundreds of dollars easily. Instead, go to a thrift store and start searching. There are plenty of great treasures in thrift stores, but you do have to hunt for them. If you want a more modern look, Ikea has a great selection of unique lighting at a reasonable cost.

9. Get Rid of that Clutter

Sometimes less is more. When designing the perfect home, clean lines can give a fresh, modern look. What better way to overhaul your home without buying one thing? Donate and sell the items you can, and use the money towards new décor.

10. Adding or Updating Rugs will Add Warmth and Style

Adding an area rug in the living room or dining room can completely change the look and feel of the entire room. Just like a window treatment can change your room, so can a great rug. You don’t have to buy a bunch of things to change the look and feel of a room. Statement pieces can do the same, and cost you a lot less.

To sum up, incorporating home decorating ideas doesn’t have to leave you in the poor house. You don’t have to buy a ton of new items to change the look of your home. Instead, find a few statement pieces, or clean up the clutter to alter a room’s look. Find pieces with interesting texture or bold color to really pump up the design and, at the same time, keep your budget intact.

Miguel Salcido is an avid blogger, sports fanatic, father, and home owner who also enjoys social media and SEO. He manages the blog at TheHouseDesigners.com, where one can find amazing custom house plans and floor plans direct from designers. He also manages PremiereVanities.com, where you can get free shipping on a unique selection of bathroom vanities & cabinets

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This is a guest post by Tina Jacobs. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
Digital books are changing the way we learn on a daily basis. In a way, I can fairly state that they are revolutionizing the educational system. Digital textbooks promote reading in a society where students would far prefer studying at their computer or using their mobile device over putting their noses in an dusty, printed textbook. The education system must face facts. In today’s society, students much prefer texting on a Smartphone, browsing the web via a tablet device, and taking class notes via a laptop instead of using a notebook and pen. That being said, digital textbooks fit the personal learning preference of many of today’s students. Plus, more students nowadays prefer to rent textbooks of the digital variety over spending twice as much at the campus bookstore. Not only do digital textbook rentals save budgeting students a lot of valuable money and time, they also prefer to read via a screen.

If I haven’t convinced you yet—here are 10 ways that I believe digital books are revolutionizing the education system.

1. Digital books cost half the price

Now that’s a strong argument on the side of e-books if you’re a struggling student. Tuition is costly enough when you add tuition, room and board, and high-priced printed textbooks. Not only are e-books approximately 50% less compared to printed versions, you might actually be able to get your hands on free digital books from the local library if you have a membership.

2. Digital textbooks make learning accessible to everyone

Suddenly students with visual impairments or fine motor disabilities can customize their digital book settings to alter text size, screen illumination, or choose to read books orally.

3. They offer multifunction study options

Most e-books are available in digital or audio format so students can multitask while exercising, walking to school, taking public transit, and even working as they study.

4. A digital book is learning made portable

Students don’t have to suffer sore backs all over campus from hiking around with 2, 5-pound textbooks in tow. You have to admit those sociology texts are as heavy as bricks. But e-books are as light as the device you carry them on so a student can transport an entire library from home to campus and back without having to apply an ice pack each night.

5. Electronic textbooks teach collaboration

Ebooks are plentiful, meaning they are simple to share between students and even groups of people. The social aspect of sharing e-books promotes a value skill in collaboration, and collaboration is one skill that you need to get almost any job in the business world. Start your business training as a student of digital books by commenting, rating, and bookmarking pages for others to read.

6. E-books extend learning beyond the page

With a digital textbook, students are able to reference words and biographical references according to a keyword that’s hyperlinked. This hyperlink can be used to provide additional education via an image, video, or text description to further add to the learning experience.

7. Digital textbooks are not set in stone

Professors and students can fix a grammatical or spelling mistake or alter the accuracy of a reference according to current events unlike with printed textbooks that can’t be altered after publication.

8. Digital books save paper

If one thing is for certain, Mother Earth is thankful for the digital textbook because they save a lot of trees by means of outdated editions of textbooks. This translates to reduced paper waste in landfills as well as less gas used for the shipping of paper textbooks.

9. Digital textbooks keep it current

With digital textbooks, study stays as current as scholarly knowledge. And publishing occurs a lot faster so knowledge is never outdated by the time it’s published in technical and scientific texts.

10. Digital books maintain our favorite books for future generations

The pages of my favorite classic books won’t tarnish, rip, or become garbage due to natural wear and tear. Books can be forever preserved in digital format for future students to enjoy.

Whether you like them or not, digital textbooks are here to stay. If we try to emphasize the true benefits of a digital book as seen here, it may just be a lot easier to embrace this new and rapidly growing technology.

This guest article was written by Tina Jacobs who is a registered nurse and freelance writer who has written for numerous print and online publications on topics ranging from education to money saving tips for college students such as how to find cheap textbooks. Tina is a proud Georgetown University alum and plans to expand her writing portfolio while she waits to take her NCLEX exam. Most days, Tina can be found studying or writing in her beautiful bay window with her cat, Oscar, for company.

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This is a guest post by Irene Simpson. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
Home security is an important subject, often overlooked when building or buying a house. To make a house into your home, you need a feeling of security and safety for you and your family. With the help of modern technology and home security systems there are many ways to do this. There are also many common sense things that you can do to increase your home security. These difficult economic times have seen a rise in the number of burglaries and it is no surprise that home security system sales are on the increase as a result.

Security Systems for Home Use

Security systems for home use can be split into two broad areas: deterrents that put a burglar off trying to break

in and monitoring systems that alert you to an intrusion and, in some cases, capture evidence for future prosecution. Deterrents can be as simple as a sign stating that you have a home alarm system or ensuring that your house looks occupied all the time. It is widely known that most burglars are opportunistic and don’t want to risk running into anyone. Surveillance systems include a wide range of alarms and sensors, some linked to central 24-hour centers and some that simply make a loud noise to scare intruders away. A combination of both is the best way to protect your home and make you feel secure.

Deterrence is the Best Home Security System

Deterring an intruder from ever attempting entry to your home is obviously ideal. The first step is to look at your property from the point of view of a burglar: try to spot any easy entry points or anything that will assist an intruder, such as a ladder or bushes that provide cover. Police forces will have experts in crime prevention who will be happy to advise you. Signs stating that you have an alarm or a visible alarm system are useful deterrents and you can also use anti-climb paints, spiky bushes or rolling tops to walls and fences to make access harder. It is

important to be aware that you may be liable for damage done to passers-by, for example anti-climb paints will ruin clothes if they get on them. Display signs that indicate any security methods that you are using and check with your local police force that they are suitable.

Making sure your house look occupied at all times is a simple way to deter burglars. Always bring in deliveries and take bins in and out on the correct day. If you go on holiday, a trusted neighbor or family member should visit regularly to switch lights on and off, take in post and open and close curtains to make it look like the house is occupied. You can also get timer switches to turn lights, radios and televisions on and off.

The Options for Home Security Systems are numerous

If a burglar does break into your house, it is vital that the police are alerted as soon as possible. There are many alarm systems available and any company involved in home security system sales will be able to help and advise you. Some alarm systems will make a loud noise in an attempt to scare an intruder off and alert neighbors, who will then call the police. The problem with these is that they can go off in error and neighbors may be reluctant to call the police in case it is a false alarm. Other types of alarms are monitored, so any intrusion is immediately registered by a control center, who will usually contact the home owner before calling the police.

Alarm systems are made up of a range of components, including sensors that detect broken glass or a break in magnetic or infrared beams, pressure sensors and panic buttons. The most recent designs allow you to monitor your home remotely via the internet, giving you peace of mind if you are away. You also might want to consider an alarm that allows you to monitor just the perimeter of your home while you sleep.

Choosing the best home security system for you can be a little daunting. Think carefully about what will suit you and your family and consult your local police and home security systems sales experts to help you decide. Once you have your house secured, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your home and family are safe.

This guest article was written by Irene Simpson who has an association with many Home Security communities as a freelance writer and adviser. In her free time she writes articles related to home security systems, home security system sales, and home security equipment.

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This is a guest post by J.D. Roberts. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a relatively new approach to dealing with multifarious psychological and psychiatric afflictions. In essence, it is a means of transforming one’s thought processes to enhance their quality of life. It can be implemented for many disorders including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, among many others. CBT is used extensively today to help sufferers simply as therapy or in conjunction with a regimen of medication.

CBT can help with Panic Disorder Symptoms and Others

I personally used it to overcome a debilitating panic disorder that kept me from functioning and fully enjoying life, so this information comes from painstaking experience. But CBT cannot be assumed as an easy fix as a panic disorder treatment or for treating any other debilitating conditions. For it to work, the patient must be willing to explore and examine their own mind and keep records or a journal of their journey. It is hard work, but when approached with an open mind, it can radically restore your self-esteem and help you thrive. If medication is a short cut, CBT is the scenic route. You’ll learn more about yourself in this process than you’d expect, which can be a liberating and satisfyingly existential experience.

Must Take Responsibility for your Condition

One of the first things someone going through CBT counseling needs to grasp is that their perception of the world is in fact, uniquely their own. They must let go of misconceptions of being a victim and take responsibility for where they are in their life. One must understand that it is not a situation in itself that is causing anxiety and fear, but rather the subsequential inner thoughts that manifest from the situation that affect one’s perception. The “automatic negative thought” reaction is what CBT attempts to change.

In my case, I would experience chest pains with a rapidly beating heart and my automatic thought was “I’m having a heart attack and I’m going to die,” which caused a chemical chain reaction by releasing the adrenaline hormones, spreading panic through my body and thus making it harder to calm myself down. The entire thought-to-physical reaction would become a never-ending downward spiral which could only be quelled by anti-anxiety medication… that is, until I worked actively to change those thoughts. Realizing that thoughts in themselves are not going to cause you harm is the first step to allowing CBT to work for you.

Psychiatrists can help using CBT Techniques

When practicing CBT therapy and techniques with a psychiatrist or counselor, a patient will most likely be given cognitive behavioral therapy worksheets to fill out each time they have a negative thought. You’re expected to write down each emotion that transpires and continually ask the toughest question of all — “then what happened?” For anxiety, that question leaves you stumped because you quickly run of out answers and find yourself saying “nothing,” after which your counselor will smile and agree. After you do this many times, you’ll slowly start to realize that your initial reaction was overblown and that since you’re ok, there’s no real reason to get scared and panic in the first place.

A Positive Attitude is the Key to Success

Most patients start to feel a difference after at least six weeks of CBT, though some can take much longer. Success in cognitive behavioral therapy is directly attributed to a positive attitude.  If you’re going to be utilizing its principles to get off of medication and take control of your life, just know that it’s going to take time and perseverance but is completely worth your time and effort.

This guest article was written by J.D. Roberts who is a seasoned writer in personal finance, specializing in credit repair. You can find more of his articles located at CreditRepair.org

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This is a guest post by Steward Gearlds. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.

In today’s fast paced world, we need ways to simplify our lives and our finances. Between work, family, and fun, we are always under time constraints. Regardless of how financially secure we are, it takes time to manage our finances to ensure all bills are paid on time. How to manage your money is something that we can all do better.  Not long ago, that meant dedicating at least one day a month to writing checks, balancing your checkbook, mailing out payments, and checking your bank statements against check stubs.

While you could still use that approach today, there are many ways to expedite this financial process.  Spend less time worrying about how to organize your finances by shifting all of your money handling processes away from cash and checks to electronic transfers.  Not only is this a more efficient way to deal with your finances, but it’s more secure, virtually eliminates human error, and is very ecologically friendly since it virtually eliminates the need for paper.

Converting from a paper-based financial system to an electronic one isn’t a difficult task, but there are several steps you will need to take to accomplish this goal.

1. Use Direct Deposit

The first step is to have your paycheck electronically deposited into your bank account. This will save you time and may even get your money to you faster.  You can arrange this through your employer who will need your Social Security number and bank information. In most cases, direct deposit gives you immediate access to your money as opposed to having to wait until you deposit your paycheck.

2. Use your Debit Card

Instead of paying for things with cash or a credit card, use your bank debit card. By using your debit card you don’t have to worry about carrying cash that can be lost or stolen and you have a list of transactions available immediately so you can see how your money is being spent. If you prefer to use a credit card you will get the same
list of transactions, however you may have monthly and yearly fees as well as interest payments if you carry a balance forward.

3. Configure your Bills for Electronic Payment

The next step is actually a combination of actions. You now need to set up all of your monthly bills so you can pay them electronically. Virtually all of the bills you have to pay, such as your cable or satellite TV bill, your power bill, and rent or mortgage can be paid online.  Each company website will have its own process to go through to set you up, but the process is usually very simple and only has to be done once. You will just need the account number from each of the bills you want to add.  Most companies offer an auto-pay feature that will simply debit your account when the bill is due and email you a receipt. The benefit is that you do not have to be concerned about going to the various sites each month and paying your bill. The downside, however, is that it also means you don’t have control over when the bill is paid or verifying the availability of funds prior to payment.

4. Consider an Online Bill Organizer

Another way is to employ a method that consolidates all of your online accounts into one place. Using an online bill organizer service, such as Manilla, gives you the ability to manage all of your bills from one site, with one login. You also can link your financial accounts and travel reward programs to Manilla so you can keep up with these accounts from the same place you manage your bills.

5. Consider Money Management Tools

For those who have investments such as 401(k)’s and participate in the stock market, there are ways to import data from brokerage accounts into packages like Quicken Premier and Microsoft Money. This gives you the ability to integrate all of your financial information into one program so you can keep track of everything at once. You can also easily export and analyze data from your online accounts like eTrade or Scottrade.

Today, most people use a combination of ways to pay for things including cash, checks, debit cards and credit cards. Unfortunately, unless you are using all electronic transactions, anything involving paper can lead to identity theft or can be stolen. Security around websites that do financial transactions is the highest available, so your information, as well as your money, is safe. Changing your financial routine from one based in paper to an electronically based one gives you more security, an easier, faster way to take care of paying your bills. This also gives you the opportunity to drill down to the bottom line with your finances so you can map out a secure financial future.

Converting to an all electronic format is easy to do and even easier to maintain once it’s done. Paying bills has never been easier, more accurate, or more efficient.  If you take these steps related to how to manage your money, your financial life should be a whole lot easier.

This article was written by Steward Gearlds who enjoys researching and writing about ways to help people get their finances in order. From organizing bills allowing less time to be spent on them to paying accounts off early, taking care of your credit is an important priority in this economy.

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This is a guest post by Michael Springman. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.

That perfect holiday gift you want to give to a child or other loved one living far away may be right there at your home. How about the grandfather clock passed down from your parents, the childhood bedroom set your own child can use in your granddaughter’s room, or even the huge portrait of kindly Uncle Mortimer that’s been gathering dust in the attic.

You get the point – sometimes the best gift-giving inspiration is to keep it in the family. But shipping furniture or other large items can be tricky. Here are some tips on how to get the best service at the best price.

Two Shipping Options and One Shipping Commandment

Freight Shipping Service
If your items are too bulky, heavy, or both, freight may be the only way to go. But it’s a rough way to travel. Secure items within the packaging with as much padding as possible. Double box if you can. Consider using a UPS Store or other professional.

Moving Company Service
Consider shipping furniture, large antiques, and other items that can’t be easily boxed or crated with white glove movers. You’ll get more careful handling, including two-man inside pickup and delivery. Look for a small mover or a broker who can put your items on a truck with other items to cut your price.

Always insure your items. One more time: Always insure your items.
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Estimating Size and Weight and Value

Check original purchase receipt or related documents for specs.

Check specs online, either on the manufacturer’s website or by finding the same item on a seller site like eBay or Amazon.

If all else fails, weigh the items on a bathroom scale. If the item is too bulky, use two scales and add the totals.

If you can, weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the box and subtract the difference.

Measure the size to get the weight. An experienced mover or shipper should be able to estimate the weight accurately based your description and dimensions. And don’t try to fudge any information, or you may get hit with reweigh charges.

The perfect Christmas gift or the perfect holiday gift may be to simply keep it in the family. Shipping options such as using a freight shipping service or a moving company service, as well as always insuring your items, should help you in getting your precious cargo to its final destination during this wonderful time of the year.

This guest post was provided by Michael Springman, representing Transit Systems, Inc. (TSI), a residential and commercial moving company. TSI specializes in shipping furniture and a nationwide leader in both large and small moves. For more information about TSI or to request a free quote, visit their website or follow TSI on Twitter@TransitSystems.

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This is a guest post by Paul Premson. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.

Whether it is a large or a small space, organizing a kitchen can be difficult. From wayward pots and pans to dirty dishes piled in the sink to cumbersome tables and chairs, it can seem as though you’ll never get your kitchen organized. By following some simple steps, maybe you too can learn how to organize a kitchen.

Take Inventory

Before you can even begin to get an organized kitchen, it’s important to take inventory of everything in your kitchen. From silverware to appliances, make a list of everything you have, and then sit down and organize the list. Doing this will not only help you get started on the actual organization process, but it will also help you see what you need and what you don’t need. Many kitchens have unused kitchen gadgets that simply take up space. Consider donating any unneeded or unused items to charity or to friends.

Plan out a New Space

Once you have organized your inventory list and gotten rid of unnecessary items, it’s time to plan out a new space. A good idea is to draw out a diagram of your kitchen, including all cabinets, pantries and appliances, and then begin to put items together in groups. For example, you could keep all of your silverware in one drawer, and then keep your knife block and knives above that drawer, as all of these items are utensils and will be used as such. Another option could be to clear out an area of your kitchen countertop and put in a coffee station. You could place a single cup coffee maker here or have a place to store your pour over coffee cone and filters. When you’re drawing out your diagram, try to keep the flow of your kitchen in mind. Because you use your potholders to get things out of the oven, keep them near the oven, not in a drawer on the other side of the kitchen.

Rearrange Furniture

If you have furniture in your kitchen, you’ll also want to consider rearranging it to improve your workflow. Some people have their dinner table and chairs in the kitchen, and these items can get in the way. If you can, try to find a separate place nearby for these items, such as a small dining room area off to the side. Also consider moving decorative tables and stands, as well as trash cans. With just a little rearranging, you can end up gaining a lot more space.

Organize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers

After you have begun rearranging and organizing kitchen items, it’s time to organize kitchen cabinets and drawers. Over time, it becomes easy to let these areas become unorganized. You may want to invest in some kitchen cabinet organizers and kitchen drawer organizers. Go through any spices, ingredients and food products, and check for expiration dates, as well as for usability. Many people find that they have certain food items that they purchased months ago and have only used one time. Get rid of items that are taking up space or that are expired, as expired food products may harm your health. Organize your kitchen cabinets and drawers according to the different categories you made earlier in your diagram.

Stick to a Plan

The biggest key to organizing your kitchen is to stick to an organization plan. Once you have organized your kitchen, try to continue to keep items where they belong. When you come home from the grocery store, place items in the appropriate place, and try to wash dishes shortly after using them. This will keep your kitchen from falling back into an unorganized state, and will help you develop a pattern of organization for life.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to get everything done at once. Organizing a kitchen should be thought of as a project with each step requiring individual attention.

You may also want to ask yourself if you’re using all of your kitchen space effectively. Is there anything you could do on a daily basis to help you keep your kitchen organized?

This guest article was written by Paul Premson who works over at Cliq Studios, a kitchen cabinets company. Paul spends most of his free time cycling and sharing his knowledge with blogs like this one.

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