Tighten your load and lighten someone else’s
7-27-08

Have you heard enough about the economy? With an upcoming presidential election you’re about to hear plenty more. It all comes down to 3 main issues. Real estate/housing, high fuel costs ( which drives everything else up ) and a job market that’s offering wages not keeping pace with the rising costs of all of life’s necessities. So we’ve identified the problems- not that it’s new news, and we’ve also received a few solutions from the media, financial analysts and those in the know.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way I’ll begin imparting my view on you. I read somewhere that presidential hopeful John McCain made a remark we’ve become a nation of whiners especially at this point in time with as stated earlier is our sluggish economy. I haven’t seen the video or actually heard the audio of McCain’s so called remark but I’ll go on the premise the man made the statement. I haven’t decided whose lever I’m pulling on November 4th, but I do like the way McCain isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Honesty, regardless of how polished or politically correct, always goes a lot further when I’m thinking of who I like for elected offices. Especially the oval one.

The bottom line is the economy isn’t at its best, but we need to stop acting like it’s at its worst. There’s a lot of doom and gloom out there, my advice which I’ll take is don’t pay a dimes worth attention to it. It’s hogwash. Use this opportunity to straighten things out on the home-front. Here’s a few things I’ve enacted at my homestead ( all advice I’ve been given ) that I’ll impart to you. First, knowing that energy is atop everyone’s list be sure you’re driving responsibly. Besides meaning safely make sure that trips you take are necessary. Make more stops, less trips and load up on fuel at those stations you know offer best prices. Visit www.traffic.com. At no charge if you input your daily route to work you can get real time reports emailed to you or sent to your cell phone or PDA. Before you leave for work and home again you can get an update as to whether you’ll need to consider an alternate route. And www.traffic.com will send it to you completely free. All of this could help reduce time in car and save on fuel.

I’ve been hearing a lot about coupon clipping. Be careful. I’m hungry for bargains as much as the next person but be weary as you could clip coupons for items you don’t need simply because there’s a ‘coupon’ for it. Shop for best quality and best prices, carefully inspect in store circulars and make sure you have a list of what you need before you enter the market or retailer to avoid impulse purchases.

This next one I love. My sons get embarrassed when I do this. Haggle. I am always keeping credit card lenders ( the few I have ) and area retailers on notice. I’m in sales and I used to be the most agreeable sort when I went to buy because as a seller I know all to well how buyers and potential buyers can, putting it mildly, give me a workout to close a sale. Today I’m keeping every merchant and business I spend with honest and clear on every item, every charge and every detail. It’s amazing how many mistakes I catch and at big stores. The sign on the store shelf has a marked price that’s higher at checkout. I’m all over that with the store manager. Be prepared on this money saving tip you could run into some merchants who’ll give you a workout. I have no problem staying toe to toe with them as it’s an arena I’m all too familiar. Also keep an eye on that mailbox, don’t fall for offers that are too good to be true, many are just that. Keep all payments on time to avoid late charges, finance fees and other aggravating extra costs. When I see something that doesn’t pass the smell test I’m all over it and most of the time I get what I’m after. Look at all your statements you’d be shocked how many ‘extra’ fees go into some of your bills. They don’t expect most of us to notice it let alone do anything about it. When you call and question things, so long as you’re a good paying and on time customer, you’ll almost assuredly get proper customer service. Medical bills, dental bills, all of it carefully comb your statements and make sure you’re clear on everything. Speaking of medical and dental for you and your family make sure you check with your providers and carriers before any procedures to make sure you know what’s covered. If you don’t you could wind up paying a lot more than a co-pay post doctor and dental visits. Get to know your bank and bankers. Let them know you are on top of your checking and other accounts and invite their knowledgeable input. Most banks are happy to help customers make best use of their money.

Get cooking. Literally. While I’m all about supporting local eateries when I can, eating out could wind up being a costly convenience. Shop and buy smart at the grocer and get your meals down at your own kitchen table. My hobby of vegetable gardening also came in handy as a delicious and fun way to save on groceries. Think about it next year as another way to save while having delicious fresh fruits and veggies at your fingertips. Yes, it’s a lot of work but it can be a fun family project to install a garden. Don’t forget the obvious stuff around the home, energy efficient light bulbs are en vogue as is seeing your home is properly insulated.

Last and most important don’t worry, get active and try the best suggestion of all – help someone. Maybe it’s seeing to a neighborhood senior or working on some project that benefits another or several others but choose something that gives back to your community. Whatever it is getting outside your own drama is good for you and allows you to put others first which is one of the many things that makes us a great nation. So tighten your load and lighten someone else’s. Rising to challenges in the face of adversity, including this tough economy is within the grasp of each of us. All of these suggestions are better than the alternative. Whining. See ‘ya around town.