Money Is Almost Everything

My boyfriend and I (I won't call him my fiance until I get the ring, which means waiting another couple weeks) are having a baby in February. If all goes well I hope to lose most of the weight by the end of Spring and we're aiming for a mid/late summer wedding. With the baby, and us deciding I'm going to stay at home for the first year or so we really need to save money, but we're not putting the wedding off forever to save. Aside from my dress, which is my mother's old wedding dress that I'm having a few alterations done to (wedding present from another friend), we need to cut back on the costs of everything! Our wedding party said they'd each cover their own tux/dress, but we each have so many family members, and friends we don't want to leave out, that we're looking at 150+ guests. We want to find a scenic outdoor place for the wedding, so that should be pretty inexpensive, but what else can we do to save money?

When Paying Taxes

Using a credit card to pay your taxes is becoming the norm. In fact, credit card and debit cards are already the most common payment method for taxes -- more people use them than those who electronically transfer from bank accounts. According to the IRS, the use of credit and debit cards to pay taxes increased 54% last year, and it's predicted to increase even further this year.

To further encourage those to pay their taxes with a credit card, credit card companies are going into advertising overdrive with campaigns specifically targeted to get people to pay their taxes with their credit card. This includes a Chase offering to double the mileage points on the United Mileage Plus SignatureVisa card for amounts paid toward taxes, plus a host of similar bonus offerings from other credit cards companies.
But while getting bonus rewards may at first sound appealing, when you look closely you'll find that these offers aren't nearly as good as they first sound.

The biggest problem is that when you pay your taxes by credit card, the charge comes with a 2.49% surcharge to third-party companies that process the transaction. Most people find this charge a surprise because processing surcharges are usually not allowed by credit card companies. This surcharge effectively wipes out any bonuses that the credit card companies offer and often means you'll lose money even with the added promotion incentives and if you pay off your credit card on time and in full. The financially smart move is to pay by another method if possible.

Tip Save Money That Limited

If you find it difficult to pay the bills every month, you may wonder how on earth it is possible to actually save money. It can be done, even on a limited income, and you will find that having even a small amount of savings will give you a sense of security that you did not have before. It is a good feeling to know that if an emergency arises, you can take care of it.

One way to painlessly save money is to invest in your company's 401K plan, if one is available. Many companies will match the amount that you set aside, sometimes as much as ten percent, so to not participate is akin to turning down free money. Since the money comes directly out of your check, you never see it, and you can set your budget using the money that you actually take home. If your workplace does not offer a 401K, ask if they offer a way for a percentage of your check to be directly deposited into savings. Not seeing the money in your check in the first place is one of the easiest ways to save.

Another trick that makes it easier to save money is to save money towards a specific goal. For example, you could have a savings account for a down payment on a house, or a cigar box with money that you stash for a long weekend at the beach. Everyone's financial goals are different, but if you identify what yours are, it will be easier to save. One way to easily save money for a smaller goal is to put your change in a jar at the end of every day. The quarters, nickels and dimes quickly add up, and at the end of the year, you may have enough money for that long weekend.