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Personal Growth Blog for Philip Tirone – Credit Scoring Expert and Champion for the Underdog

Tips for Saving Money on Vacation

Tips for Saving Money on VacationIn these scarce times, you might find yourself looking for Tips for Saving Money on Vacation. A recent article by Michelle Higgins in the New York Times offers great advice for keeping travel expenses to a minimum.

One of my favorite ideas suggested by Higgins is to use Twitter to “follow” the travel companies or travel experts that you like to use. Large Companies, like American Airlines, United Airlines, etc. etc, are beginning to tweet their best offers, deals and advice, and the first people that respond can take advantage of those rates!

Higgins also suggests websites ITASoftware.com and Kayak.com for finding the least expensive travel dates. She also reminds readers to check for nearby airports that might be less expensive than your first choice and to fly on off-peak days. And, try to use online travel sites like Yapta.com, Travelocity.com or Orbitz.com that automatically refund the difference if your fare or reservation falls in price after you buy it.

For these and other tips to learn Tips for Saving Money on Vacation, read Higgins’ article in the New York Times in full.

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Disneyland Tickets – Free for Volunteers!

Disneyland TicketsIn an effort to encourage volunteerism, Disneyland Tickets can be free!

I had to post this because we are all big Disneyland fans in our family.  Here is how it works, people who spend one day volunteering at a qualifying organization will receive Disneyland Tickets, for free (one day/per person). Disney’s “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program runs through December 15 of this 2010, or until one million tickets are given away, whichever comes first.

Want to teach your kids a lesson in community spirit? This is the perfect opportunity. Kids six and up are allowed to volunteer in exchange for a free Disneyland ticket so long as they are registered by an adult 18 years or older. A list of participating organizations can be found at the Disney website. Search for an opportunity in your area. Then the whole family of volunteers can enjoy a Disneyland Ticket for free and spend the day together in the Magic Kingdom.

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Fidelity 529 Saving Plan Fees

Philip Tirone, Fidelity 529 Saving Plan, 529 Fees, Credit

If you look at the small print, 529 Saving Plan Fees are not cheap, however, Fidelity just announced that they are cutting their 529 Saving Plan Fees by 50% in certain states.  Yes, 50%!

These state include, New Hampshire, California, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Arizona. Vanguard and Upromise, which manage plans in New York and Colorado, have also cut fees, as has TIAA-CREF, which manages Vermont plan.

Keep in mind, over the long term, it’s not about investing at the right time, it’s about “investing consistently.”

If you have children, talk to your financial advisor about Fidelity’s 529 Saving Plan Fees, and see if this, or another 529 Saving Plan could be the fit for you and your family.  Let’s make 2010, our best year ever!

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How to Save Money Every Month – The Right Thing to Do!

Save Money Every monthEveryone is talking about how to save money every month, which is a good thing.  But check this article out by CNBC.  These are the items that hurt America more than it helps.  This article goes on to say, how savings is great, but not to help the economy!

In last week’s Wall Street Journal, there was an article called, “Star-Spangled Bargains:  Americans are natural shoppers and this holiday season they need to do their patriotic duty and rid the nation of recessions.”

You see the problem here?

There was a great article on creditcards.com this month: “Frugality: Just a fad? Or will consumers keep saving post-recession?”

If you saved that $4 that went into Starbucks’ pocket every day, you would have an extra $7,200 in five years, not to mention interest. Would you be sad about all those lost lattes? I doubt it, but I can say for sure that you would be thrilled to have a cushion during these hard times.

Here’s an idea:  Don’t think about saving a $1 here or there.  Think about the fact that every $1 you save today, will be worth $2 in five years.  Why?  Since you have already paid tax on this income, this goes right into savings – that gives you a 40% ROI on that money – right now!

How about your $50 gym membership? Would it hurt you to exercise outside during the summer months? That’s an extra $300 a year.

Rich people become rich by being frugal. If we want to protect ourselves from the next recession, let’s adopt frugality as a lifestyle change.

How about this as a New Year’s resolution? Cut one expense a month. Start by canceling that magazine that never gets read. Who knows? Maybe by year’s end, frugality will be running through your veins and you might not be thinking how to save money each month!

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Saving Money Tip – Urgent Care Clinics

Saving Money Tip Urgent CareWant an easy saving money tip on Urgent Care Clinics?  Many think they are being frugal by visiting your friendly neighborhood clinic instead of the hospital. What you might not know is that the clinic is owned by the hospital, and therefore bills like a hospital.

This article in the Wall Street Journal noted that about 29 percent of urgent care clinics are owned or co-owned by hospitals, which makes them a lot pricier than their independently-owned counterparts.

In fact, a visit to a hospital-owned urgent care clinic might cost you three times as much as a visit to a clinic owned by an independent doctor or group of doctors.

What should you do? Price it out, just like you would any other purchase.

Anytime you make a doctor’s appointment, ask whether the clinic is owned by or associated with a hospital. Then ask what you can expect to pay for a visit. Call a few clinics and ask the same question. You should also call your insurance company to find out how much of the bill will be covered by insurance.

Most of us don’t think about shopping around to find the best healthcare, but this we should, especially in today’s economy. Taking this tip, and all our saving money tips will get you closer to the life you want.

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