Making ends meet and meat....

Every time I sit in front of this computer, I always have my hopes high even though I know that most likely it's going to be the same old thing everyday. Searching for a better thing for your family is a weekly or monthly activity or even a daily crusade for others like myself. I know I'm not supposed to be on the Internet while at work. But, I guess I am trying to save money (by not having to got to the internet cafe after work) and be productive at the same time? Somewhere I read that blogging or any activity taken 1 hour off from work increases productivity. So, I decided to give it a try.

Living from paycheck to paycheck isn't something new. For many, it's everyday life and some either have embraced it or tried to find another way. At least, they tried and succeeded or failed, I tip my hat to them for breaking the mold. Where I live right now, everything is going up. The gas (lpg), rice, vegetables, meat and other everyday stuff that you would end up buying at the marketplace. Living below your means is not always easy, but it will help you survive. You won't have to end up wondering or worried about where your next meal will come from after you've paid all the bills. Believe me, those bills will never go away!

Here are some tips that you can use to save you some money. Either save it or spend it, but spend it wisely. After all, you are the ones who sacrificed for it.

1. One of the most obvious and helpful tips. Live below your means. That means differentiate the items that you "need" vs. "want". For example, you "want" that awesome car stereo for your car (save for it instead) but you do "need" to pay your rent on time. Be a good "spender and earner at the same time".

2. Make a list of "needs and wants" that way it will help differentiate the two and you can always refer back to your list if you "forgot".

3. Pay the bills that you do have on time. This avoids you having to pay surcharges and interest. Imagine, all the money you can save, just by avoiding this!!

4. Bring your lunch to work if time permits. It's a lot more frugal to bring a sack lunch instead of having to buy your lunch at a restaurant. (Eat out on special occasions or when you "have" to).

5. Research on the internet about ways to save your electrical consumption (using fluorescent bulbs etc.) and water usage (controlling leaks, baths). It might bring those utility bills a little lower "to a much more manageable state at least".

6. Open a savings account and set aside at least 20% of your final pay. At least you will have "emergency" money or money set aside if you need it.

7. Learn how to cook. This can go along with #4 above. This will help you bring those eating costs down and it might be fun!!

8. Always research the various companies when buying insurance for your home, car or whatnot. There is always a lower price out there, you just have to look.

9. Have your partners, be it your wife, husband, roommates or whatever chip in and help you. They will learn to be better at saving and be better spenders also.

10. Carpool- it helps you save on the gas money or car maintenance expenditures and will get you to work on time and safe. You are also doing the earth a favor by lessening pollution.

11. If you own a vehicle, keeping it tuned up and running great will help you avoid costly repairs, thus saving you a trip to the grease monkeys.

12. Have a garage sale and throw out all of that junk. You don't really need those ugly sweaters anymore do you? Having a garage sale will help alleviate expenses and maybe you might find stuff that you can revive from the dark abyss called your closet.

13. Use coupons when you can. Companies didn't print them out for nothing. A hefty discount can be had if you use them frequently. You would be surprised I betcha!

The above list is by no means complete, maybe there are some good tips I missed or didn't list, but these are some that I have implemented into my life and am now just recovering from debt. Abide by these tips and they will help you save. Living frugal doesn't have to suck. You just have to adjust and see where you are free to move.

Blogging for beginners...

O.k. so I'm fairly new to this whole blogging thing (actually really new). But, during my times of surfing the net and various blogs, I have come to this conclusion and beginner's guide to blogging. It's not complete and maybe I missed a few concepts, but it will still help a little, especially for the beginners. Here they are, enjoy and good luck!!

1. I cannot underestimate this enough. Write good content!! If you have good content and a unique writing style that people love, it will work out great for you.

2. Don't forget to sign up your URL with various search engines. If you have an awesome blog, but no one can get to it or has even heard about it, then what's the point?

3. Share the link love. Linking to other people's blogs is a great help. If you leave great comments on their site, then they will want to know and be interested in finding out who that person is. Get my drift?

4. Join a community blogging group. By reading other people's blogs and immersing yourself in that community, then they in time will find your blog and read it also!

5. Always check your grammar. This is very important you know. Who wants to read a blog with a lot of misspellings and grammar usage?

6. Be patient!! You can't expect to set-up a blog for one week and then think there will be hundreds of people coming to your site!!! This also goes with no. 1 above.

7. Build a loyal following. If you write about a certain subject and people respond to it, great!! But don't forget your other audience also. Try to have a broad aspect on all views and subjects. always have a "special spot" for your other readers. ALbeit, there might not be a lot of followers, but at least they will be loyal and keep coming back for more.

8. If you come across a great blog that stands out in your memory, plugging it doesn't hurt. You never know, the blogger might just come to your site to see what you wrote about them or their site! Visit other blogs for advice and tips to arm yourself with the arsenal and knowledge of making a great blog. Experience helps!!

9. Connect with your audience. Let them know that they are appreciated and their comments noticed. It takes just a little time, but it will stick in their memory. Encourage feedback from your visitors about anything.

10. Have interactive "zones" in your blog. People like to read, but they also like to take time out and have a break!

These are just a few tips...If you would like to donate more tips, please comment!! That would be appreciated. Good luck and blog furiously!!