Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Blue Sky Preferred from American Express

Airline miles have always been the original currency of reward credit cards since they were first offered. After all, who wouldn’t jump at the chance for a “free” airline ticket. But in the intervening decades, the airlines have successfully moved the goal posts when it came time to redeeming miles for actual flights.

First, they starting adding fees including government taxes (which they previously absorbed), fuel surcharges, and close-in booking fees. Later they started reducing the availability of award seats at the lowest mileage levels. Today, frustration with the airline’s frequent flier programs is so acute, that banks are trying to offer their own alternative “miles” that can be used on any airline at any time.

The Capital One Venture Rewards card and the Blue Sky Preferred card from American Express are two similar products that offer proprietary points that can be redeemed for statement credits. They both made the cut for some of the best airline credit cards, let’s see how these two cards do against each other in a head to head match up:

Capital One Venture Rewards Visa

Capital One offers its Venture Rewards card that features two of their “Miles” for every dollar spent on all purchases. You don’t have to spend your money with particular merchants, or keep track of bonus categories that change each month; you get double miles all the time.

When it comes time to redeem your miles, each one is worth a half a cent each towards all sorts of gift cards, statement credits, and merchandise reward options. But smart cardholders will redeem their miles for statement credits towards any travel related purchase at a rate of one cent per point. These purchases can include airfare, car rentals, cruises, or vacation packages purchased from travel agents.

So in essence, using this card is like earning two cents per dollar spent. There is a $59 annual fee for this card that is waived the first year. As with all Capital One credit cards, there are never any foreign transaction fees assessed on purchases made across the border.

Insider tricks: Since the best reward value is for statement credit toward travel expenses, cardholders should only choose this option. Fortunately, Capital One is very generous with the expenses it will count toward this category. If you feel that there is a travel expense that you would like to use your points for, call their customer service and just ask.

There are many reports that Capital One will grant just about any reasonable request. Also, a neat feature of this rewards program is that airline tickets that you purchase with points are treated just like any other tickets paid for with cash. Unlike airline mileage rewards, you can earn miles and be eligible for upgrades if you hold elite status. Finally, Capital One offers its similar VentureOne card with no annual fee, but it only earns 1.25 miles per dollar.

Blue Sky Preferred from American Express

The Blue Sky Preferred card from American Express is aimed at travelers, but it features a different rewards program than many of its other products that feature Membership Rewards. Instead, American Express offers two points per dollar spent at restaurants, for hotel rooms, and for car rentals. Cardholders receive one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. This doesn’t seem nearly as good as the Capital One Venture Rewards card, until you realize that these points are worth 1.33 cents each towards cash back.

In addition, cardholders also receive a $100 airline fee credit that can be used to offset expenses for checked baggage, in-flight meals, and entertainment. That’s good, because this card has a $75 annual fee that is not waived the first year. It also has a 2.7% foreign transaction fee that is imposed on all transactions processed outside of the United States.

Insider tricks: The $100 fee credit is extremely valuable, especially in today’s environment where airlines seemed to be addicted to taking every last dime they can from passengers. But be careful. American Express has some interesting rules that they use to determine which fees are eligible for reimbursement. For example, you could be reimbursed for paying $50 for an economy seat with extra legroom, but not if you pay the same fee to be upgraded to first class. Likewise, you could be reimbursed for in-flight entertainment, but not you purchase wi-fi from a third party provider such as GoGo.

The Verdict

These two cards both have their share of strengths. Capital One cardholders enjoy the equivalent of two cents worth of miles per dollar spent in cash back on all purchases, while American Express customers receive either 1.33 cents or 2.66 cents in value, depending on the purchase. The Capital One card has a leg up in that the first year’s annual fee is waived and there are no foreign transaction fees.

In the end, there really is no clear winner. The Capital One card is probably best for those who travel outside the United States, and those who don’t spend much at restaurants, on hotels, and rental cars. Cardholders who do incur a lot of expenses from restaurants, hotels, rental cars, and airline fees will do better with the American Express Blue Sky Preferred.

When you decide you are no longer going to play the frequent flier mile game, you have to look for the travel rewards card that offers the most value. In this case, it all boils down to the kind of spending habits you have that will maximize your rewards.

Which credit card would you prefer? Leave a comment and let us know!

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10 Ways to Cut Your Restaurant Bill Big Time

A common piece of money saving advice is to cut back on eating out. My wife and I eat much more in than out but like to hit the restaurants on Friday or Saturday nights. Below are some ways that we keep our food bill to a reasonable size.

1. Split the bill.

We have a few favorite restaurants where we know they serve huge portions. Sharing a meal still fills us up and is easier on the wallet.

2. Fill up on freebies.

I love restaurants that bring out free stuff before you get your food. If you load up on free chips and salsa or breadsticks and salad you can easily split a meal and cut your bill in half.

3. Avoid appetizers.

As mentioned above, there are many restaurants that offer free food prior to your meal. Since appetizers can cost half or two thirds the cost of your main dish, I always go for the free food instead of paying for an appetizer.

4. Keep it simple.

Often the simplest things on the menu are the cheapest. Look for your basic burrito, spaghetti marinara, club sandwich, or other simple standby and you’ll likely score the best deal.

5. Skip the booze.

Alcohol has a huge markup, what else do I have to say? If you really need a drink, stay away from the fancy $9 fru-fru drink. Instead, stick with the basic bottled beer, drafts usually cost more.

6. Use Groupon or LivingSocial

Make sure you read the fine print on the deal so you know that your Groupon is valid for the meal you’re ordering. There are also local versions of these sites that sometimes have better deals on restaurants. Also remember to tip your server on the price of the meal before the Groupon is applied.

7. Take leftovers.

I’m amazed at the number of people that throw away their leftover food. Taking home your leftovers won’t save you money on the meal you’re eating but it might on the one you don’t have to buy tomorrow night.

8. Order the deal of the day.

Many restaurants offer specials on the weeknights to help bring people in during their slower times. Since we typically only eat out on the weekends we don’t take advantage of this technique but my in-laws eat out a lot and save money by always knowing which establishment in town is offering the deal of the day.

9. Use your gift cards.

If you’re like us you’ll always have several restaurant gift cards floating around the house from work or family gift exchanges. Our problem is that we often forget to use them. To help take advantage of the savings, keep them in your purse or wallet for easy access.

We’ll choose a restaurant because we have a gift card but by the end of the meal we’ve forgotten and don’t use it when the server brings the bill. The tip here is to put your gift card on the table when you arrive so you remember to use it.

10. Eat on your birthday!

Take advantage of the restaurants that offer a free meal on your birthday! See “Free Stuff For Your Birthday” on the Personal Finance Advice site.

Do you have more ways to cut the restaurant bill? Leave a comment!

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You Need a Budget (YNAB) Review: A Great Application for Keeping Your Spending in Check

If you are the sort of person that wants to take a more active role in your budget, You Need a Budget (YNAB) might be for you. This is a budget application that requires you to pay attention to your spending, and to plan out your spending ahead of time. The point of YNAB is to take charge of your finances by looking ahead and giving every dollar a job.

Zero-Based Budgeting with YNAB

YNAB is very easy to use, and focuses on the idea of zero-based budgeting. With this method of budgeting, you plan out your finances ahead of time, entering your income, and the assigning each dollar to a job. This includes planning out how much money you will save for retirement, spend on groceries, or pay in rent. Everything you plan to spend money on each month is figured out ahead of time, from eating out to paying down debt to building your emergency fund. You can even budget in “cash” that you can take out to be used as spontaneous “fun” money.

The idea is that you are supposed to look ahead and direct your resources. Unlike many other budget apps that will show you what you have been spending your money on after the fact, YNAB forces you to plan out your expenses ahead of time, and then helps you track your progress throughout the month.

While YNAB is easy to use, it’s important to note that this isn’t an application that will automatically enter your spending for you. You don’t connect YNAB to your bank accounts and credit card accounts. Instead, you are required to enter your spending in manually. This is a very deliberate move on the part of YNAB creators. The fact that you have to enter your spending manually holds you accountable for keeping your budget in line with your plans at the beginning of the month. YNAB, according to the web site, is based on four main principles:

1. Stop living paycheck to paycheck
2. Give every dollar a job
3. Save for a rainy day
4. Roll with the punches

It’s possible to use YNAB to look over your spending and make adjustments for the next month. And the fact that you create a budgeting system, rather than just a way to keep track of where the money has already, is highly in YNAB’s favor.

You can use YNAB free for 34 days. After that, you pay $60 to keep using it.

Who YNAB is For

Realize that YNAB is strictly a budgeting app. There is no way to track investments, and plan your overall long-term financial future. YNAB is great for the person who is looking for a way to take control of his or her finances, and who wants to plan out where his or her money is going ahead of time. YNAB is great from that perspective. However, if you want something that is a little more all-encompassing, including investments, you might want to consider something like Personal Capital or LearnVest.

Additionally, YNAB might not work very well for those with variable incomes. YNAB is best for those who are pretty sure of how much is coming in each month. Those with very regular paychecks can benefit immensely from using YNAB to begin planning their expenses, and taking control of their money each month. Even though there are a lot of things I like about YNAB, I don’t actually use it.

Zero-based budgeting hasn’t been something I have a lot of success with because I don’t make the same amount of money each month. Not only do I have a variable income, but my husband also has a variable income as an adjunct professor. Between the two of us, we never make the same amount of money each month, and planning ahead to give every dollar job doesn’t work for us. Instead, we prioritize our spending. We make sure the important items are covered, and then just spend whatever we have left until it’s gone.

For many, though, You Need a Budget is a great tool, and it can be a good way to hold yourself accountable for your spending, as well as plan for your expenses each month.

What budgeting program do you use? Have any questions about YNAB? Leave a comment!

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Personal Capital Review: Track Investments, Assets, and More!

There are a lot of budgeting applications out there. However, many of them fall short when it comes to really analyzing your cash flow, as well as tracking your investments. If you want a more complete personal finance software application, Personal Capital might be for you.

Overview of Personal Capital

Personal Capital is what is known as a freemium application. You get access to a number of powerful (and free) tools, but you also have the ability to upgrade to paid features. Personal Capital is one of the best applications for complete financial management out there.

Like other money management programs, you can link your accounts to Personal Capital. You can link your bank and credit card accounts, as well as your investment accounts. The ability to link your investment accounts is a real bonus, since many applications don’t have that feature. The idea is that you can add your investments to your total financial picture, and see exactly what you need to do. Here are some of the free tools that come with an account at Personal Capital:

• Ability to link accounts and track your income and expenses automatically.
• Cash flow analysis to allow you to see how your money is moving. This in-depth analysis can help you pinpoint money leaks and make improvements.
• Tax optimization strategies to help you legally reduce what you owe.
• Asset allocation ideas. You can learn how to allocate your assets depending on your goals, as well as receive hints when it’s time to rebalance.
• Investment strategies and tips to help you figure out what you can do to grow your money more effectively.
• Investment fee analysis provides you with suggestions on saving money on fees. By looking at your accounts, you can be steered away from high-fee investment products and pointed toward those that will cost you less – and boost your real returns.

Money Management Services

Not only does Personal Capital offer free tools, but you can also get personalized money management help. Personal Capital will manage your assets for you, and provide more specific advice from financial and investment professionals. However, in order to access this service, you will have to pay a fee.

Personal Capital is trying to provide money management services for those who have more accounts and a higher net worth than a majority of people, but still have a lower net worth than those that normally receive management services from the major players. The money management services are aimed mainly at those who might be considered upper middle class.

For most “regular” consumers, and for the DIY investor looking to get a better handle on the situation, Personal Capital’s free tools are more than adequate. You can track your net worth, see where your money is going, and, in general, better direct your financial resources. And, if you feel you need something more from your personal finance software, you can pay to have your assets managed for you.

Bottom Line

Even though there have been some complaints about performance in the past, Personal Capital is, overall, one of the best options in financial management. There are plenty of free tools that can help you make better decisions, and learn from how you do things right now. Personal Capital can help you move from a budgeting mentality to a money management mentality.

Have you used Personal Capital before? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!

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ReadyForZero Review: An Easy Way to Pay Off and Track Your Debt

One of the best things you can do for your finances is to get out of debt. However, staying on track can be difficult at times. Without seeing the progress you are making, and without proper organization, it’s difficult to remain motivated.

ReadyForZero.com can help you with that. If you are looking for help organizing your debt – and tracking what you paid down – you can get free help from ReadyForZero.

What is ReadyForZero?

ReadyForZero is a web application that allows you to link up all of your debt accounts so that they can be viewed in one place. Then, a plan is created for you. You enter your basic information, and ReadyForZero will analyze the situation and your debt, and help you decide how much you should put toward debt reduction each month, as well as help you determine which debts should be tackled first.

ReadyForZero has you focus on your highest-rate loan first. So, while you pay the minimum on your other debts, you put more toward the loan with the highest interest rate. Mathematically, this will help you pay off your debt in a way that is faster, and that reduces the total amount of interest you end up paying over time. In order to keep you excited about your debt pay down, there is a progress bar, so that you can watch your progress and be happy about your accomplishments!

Other Features of ReadyForZero

One of the features I really like about ReadyForZero is that it keeps everything organized for you. You can see when payments are due and receive reminders. It’s an easy way to see everything in one place, keeping you on top of the situation. Additionally, when a payment is made, it is automatically recorded, since ReadyForZero is connected to your accounts electronically. If you don’t want to go that route, though, there is an option to enter payments manually.

Another helpful feature are the “Actions.” ReadyForZero helps you take action to get out of debt faster. You can find information on a number of actions to encourage you to move forward with your debt reduction. The actions are all practical, and they are steps you can take to improve your financial life. The progress bar at the end of each action item encourages you to treat each as a mini-goal to work toward.

ReadyForZero offers a free iPhone app, so you can take your debt pay down progress with you wherever you go. There is a great resource center with information on various types of debt, as well as budgeting tips. You can also rest assured that your information is safe, since ReadyForZero makes use of 256-bit SSL, as well as firewalls and security keys.

What Does ReadyForZero Cost?

You can set up your debt reduction plan and access a number of resources for free with ReadyForZero. You get a dashboard and a personalized plan for paying off your debt with your free access. However, if you really want to take your debt reduction efforts up a notch, you can sign up for ReadyForZero PLUS, which is $4.99 per month. The main advantage to PLUS is that you can make your debt payments directly from ReadyForZero. This makes it easier to manage your payments, since you can schedule them all at once, and ReadyForZero takes care of the rest. It’s a very useful tool at a very reasonable price.

Bottom Line

ReadyForZero is a great debt reduction tool. It helps you organize your debts, and (if you are willing to pay a small price) can even help you make your payments. If you have had trouble creating a plan and sticking to it, ReadyForZero might be able to help you finally get your debt under control.

Have you used ReadyForZero? What do you think about it? Leave a comment!

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5 Small Business Loans and Funding Alternatives to Selling Equity

In the current environment, it can be tough to get the funding you need for your business; whether you are starting up or trying to expand. It can be difficult to get a loan from a more traditional bank. Some businesses look for ways to give away equity in the company, with the help of venture capitalists. However, many small business owners are reluctant to give away ownership of their companies in that way.

You don’t need to sell equity to raise money like they do on Shark Tank. It’s possible to get the funding you need without giving away part of your business. Here are some alternatives:

1. Kickstarter

This is one of the more popular ways for a business to raise money. In order to use Kickstarter, though, you have to fund a specific project. So, you need to raise the funds to produce a particular product, or accomplish something very specific. You can’t just raise money for your business in general.

You can raise money to get things going, and then sell the results to raise still more money. In return for the generosity of others, you generally offer perks. This usually means a product, or some other gift. You are given the money, and send a gift in return.

2. Kabbage

If you have a more established business, Kabbage can help you with the cash flow. Many businesses require working capital, and Kabbage can keep things running smoothly. The company actually offers you a cash advance – it’s not a loan. You receive an advance, based on your business income, and other factors. You can use that advance to purchase more inventory, or hire more staff, or purchase equipment. You pay a fee, and you have a six-month payment plan to pay back the advance. It’s ideal for helping small business owners keep things running smoothly.

3. Amazon Lending

This is a relatively new service from Amazon. It’s also for the more established business owner. In fact, you have to be a merchant selling items on Amazon. You can apply for a loan to purchase inventory so that you can boost the amount you are selling on Amazon. If you are approved, the amount is added to your seller account, and your payments are deducted from that same account each month. The interest rate is right around 13%. For Amazon sellers who wish they could expand their inventory, but lack the capital, this can be a viable choice. Even though the interest rate is high, it’s still lower than a credit card.

4. Account Receivable Factoring

Another interesting choice for the established business is account receivable factoring. With this set up, you sell your invoices to another party at a discount. It’s a way to keep the cash moving. Someone pays you for the receivables, and then collects on the invoices. You don’t get as much as the receivables are “worth,” but you do get immediate capital that you can use for a number of business purposes. You can also participate in “advance” factoring. Your accounts receivables to the third-party, called a factor, for 70% to 85% of the value of the receivables. Once the invoices are paid, you receive the remainder – minus the commissions and fees charged by the factor.

5. Peer-to-Peer Lending

If you are starting a business, or even if you are expanding, P2P lending can provide you with a way to get the funding you need. Lending Club and Prosper can set you up with lenders who – paying $25 at a time – can help you fund your business. Interest rates are generally competitive, and depend on your credit history. Getting a P2P loan is generally easier than getting a loan from a more traditional bank.

There are more options than you might think when it comes to funding your small business. Take the time to look around and consider your options. You might be surprised at what you find!

Are you seeking a business loan? What are you looking to do? What type of loan or funding alternative do you think you’ll use?

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Are You Taking Advantage of a Spousal IRA?

Just because your spouse does not work outside the home does not mean that he or she cannot be covered by some sort of retirement plan. Individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) are available for non-working spouses, even if they have no income. Such IRAs are known as spousal IRAs, and if you aren’t taking advantage of this little known retirement plan, you should.

Spousal IRAs Don’t Require a Job or Income

It’s often thought that in order to make a contribution to an IRA that you need to have earned income in order to do so. But as long as the working spouse has sufficient income you can not only make IRA contributions, you can also take a tax deduction on it in the year in which it is made.

As long as one spouse earns at least enough income to cover the amount of the contribution, the non-working spouse will be able to make an IRA contribution. For example, if the working spouse makes an IRA contribution of $5,000, the non-working spouse can also make a $5,000 contribution, as long as the working spouse is earning at least $10,000.

If neither spouse has an income, no IRA contribution will be permitted for that year. IRA contributions cannot exceed the amount of income earned by the couple.

Maximum Contributions

For 2012, the maximum IRA contribution was $5,000. That has been raised to $5,500 in 2013. In addition, in each year you can also make a catch-up contribution of an extra $1,000 if you are age 50 or older.

Even better, each spouse is eligible to make a contribution, even if one spouse doesn’t work and has no earned income. If each spouse makes the maximum contribution, they will make a total contribution of $11,000 for 2013. If you are both 50 or older, you’ll be able to make a combined contribution of $13,000 for 2013.

For a non-working spouse, $5,500 is a whole lot better than having no retirement plan at all. If contributions can be made consistently for at least 15 years, the account will easily exceed $100,000 by retirement age, taking investment earnings into the mix.

Roth IRAs Too!

The spousal IRA rules also extend to Roth IRAs. The major difference is that there is no tax deduction for contributions made to a Roth IRA account in the year that they are made. But just like traditional IRAs, the investment income earned on your account will grow on a tax-deferred basis.

Despite the absence of the tax deduction on contributions, Roth IRAs have a major advantage over traditional IRAs. Any withdrawals taken from the account after you have reached the age of 59 ½ can be taken tax-free as long as the account has been in existence for a minimum of five years.

This provides an important tax advantage in retirement, which will be especially important if you will have a high taxable income in your retirement years. And once again, both the working spouse and the non-working spouse are eligible to make an annual contribution as long as they meet the income qualifications for Roth IRA plans (see below).

Deductions are Reduced or Eliminated in Certain Circumstances

For traditional IRA plans, there are no income ceilings on tax deductibility as long as neither spouse is covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k). If either spouse is covered by such a plan, there are income limits beyond which an IRA will no longer be deductible.

In 2012, you could make a full IRA contribution on an income up to $92,000 if you were also covered by an employer plan. At $92,000 your deduction began to phase out gradually, disappearing completely at an income of $112,000.

For 2013, the income limits are increasing to $95,000 and $115,000. You can still make a contribution to a traditional IRA even if your income exceeds the maximum income level. There will be no income tax deduction for the contribution, but the contribution amount will not be taxable upon withdrawal either, and investment earnings will still accumulate tax-deferred.

For Roth IRAs the contribution limits are different. For 2012, Roth IRA contributions began to phase out with an income of $173,000. They disappeared completely at an income of $183,000. For 2013, the range increases to $178,000 to $188,000.

Unlike traditional IRAs, once you reach the Roth IRA income threshold, you are no longer permitted to make an Roth IRA contribution.

Whether you choose a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, take the opportunity for the non-working spouse in your household to have a retirement plan.

Were you aware of the spousal IRA? How do you invest? Leave a comment!

Source: IRS Publication 590.

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Get Out of Debt Like a Debt Hero

Getting out of debt will be one of the most common goals set this year. Unfortunately, paying off debt will likely be one the most unmet goals at the end of the year.

If you’ve been struggling to get out of debt then you know all the reasons that paying off your credit card bills, car payments, student loans, or your mortgage can feel difficult, even impossible at times.

The good news is that this year you’ll have some extra help paying down debt.  I’ve recently released a book called “Debt Heroes” to kickoff a collective effort to help people around the U.S. payoff a total of $10 million in debt! Led by Jeff Rose, this Debt Movement features several of the people who are in the Debt Heroes book.

What is a Debt Hero?
A Debt Hero is someone who has won a major battle with debt and shared their story with others in an inspirational and/or educational way. There are 21 personal finance authors and bloggers profiled in the book – all struggled with debt at some point in their lives and now after paying it off they’re sharing their experiences in their blogs and/or books.

How Can They Help Us?
Each person featured in the book shares what got them into debt (their Fatal Flaw), their secret to paying it off (their Super Power), and part of their story about beating large amounts of debt. At the end of each profile you can find out how to read more about their story and what they’re up to now.

The format of the Debt Hero profiles has been a hit with many readers. One of the cool things about highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the Debt Heroes has been that it’s helped readers think about their own Fatal Flaw and Super Power in terms of their debt. Here’s part of a reader email I got from Pat, where he reflects on his own experience:

I suppose my fatal flaw is escapism and indeed I have wonderful memories of traveling to some of the world’s most beautiful places but the reality is that most of my debt was wasted chasing these few experiences. There were fantastic memories but most of the debt came from nights in bars and restaurants dreaming about travel and escape.

One of the things that it’s hard for many of the books or articles on debt to address is the personal nature of the problem.  People get into and out of debt in a variety of ways depending on their personal circumstances. It’s difficult to define a debt payoff plan that will work for everyone. As you read through all the Debt Hero stories you’ll find parts of their experiences that you can relate to, learn from, and apply to your own situation.

Why Do We Need Debt Heroes?
There’s a lot of information online and in book stores about how to pay off debt but many Americans still struggle to get out from under mountains of debt.  One of the reasons is that getting out of debt is not just about income vs expenses — it’s also about your mindset.

As humans, our emotions and rationalizations can get in the way and even work against us as we’re trying to pay back the money we owe.

A strong source of internal motivation has proven to be one of the best ways to overcome these mental blocks and heroes have a way of motivating us in all areas of life.

We strive to be like our heroes. They give us a concrete example of failure and success, someone who faced similar struggles and prevailed. We hold them up as an example and try to emulate their success. That source of internal motivation can help us overcome the mental challenges of paying off debt and inspire you to success.

Author Seth Godin does a good job of explaining why heroes can be so valuable when it comes to helping you make decisions:

Heroes live their lives in public, broadcasting their model to anyone who cares to look….. WWHD. What would my hero do?

Paying Off Your Debt
Of course, all the motivation in the world isn’t worth much if you don’t take action yourself. So the book also walks you through the stages of your own hero’s journey to pay off debt.

Debt Heroes looks at getting rid of debt as a process. The book looks at what you’ll experience in each stage of your journey and how you can move from one to the next. The main goals of the book are:

1. Inspire & motivate you to pay off your debt.
2. Help you connect with people who have already been through a similar situation.
3. Give you some guidance on where to start and what to consider.

Meeting the Heroes
As I mentioned, some of the people featured in the book are also showing up to talk online about their experience with debt over the coming weeks as part of the Debt Movement. Here’s a list of the people who are featured throughout the book:

• Jackie Beck
• Lynnette Khalfani-Cox
• Anna Runyan
• Joe Foley
• Meadow DeVor
• Linsey Knerl
• Jen McDonough
• Leo Babauta
• Stephanie Halligan
• Anna Runyan
• Joe Mihalic
• Jennifer Dunn
• J.D. Roth
• Amanda Grossman
• David Weliver
• Carrie Smith
• Jason Larkins
• Beverly Harzog
• Brad Chaffee
• Mary Hunt
• Kim Parr

Book Feedback

We love the reader emails so keep them coming! Here’s the very first email we got from a lady named Shannon who had just finished the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and plan to use the information to get our family out of debt. Thank you so much for offering it to us. I got so tired of taking notes, I ended up pulling out my phone to take snapshots of helpful pages. 😉

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are all heroes to me!

Although debt is a problem all around the world this book was really put together with a U.S. audience in mind. However, the exciting news is that it’s actually helping people around the world! I was happy to read this great reader email from a guy named Pat in Ireland:

I read and enjoyed your book and have posted a strong recommendation on Amazon. I realise that you are based in the US but much of your material is general enough for those of us who live outside the US… I know “Debt Heroes” is available on Kindle but it would take very little work to make it a worldwide standard primer. I hope you decide to do this. It has helped me and would clearly help many others.

If you want to participate in the Debt movement or apply for some of the debt scholarships it’s offer be sure to signup here.

To ready about how 21 ordinary people paid off over $1.7 million in debt check out the Debt Hero book.

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The Best Seasonal Jobs for College Students

When you’re a college student, you’re not always in a position where you can handle a year-round job. But you might be looking for seasonal jobs just to earn some money to get you through a short spell. Fortunately, there a lot of seasonal jobs, and there are several for each season.

Winter

It’s often thought that once the holiday season is over there are no jobs available. But it’s really just a matter of shifting focus over to those jobs that tend to flourish during the winter season.

Winter Sports

There are various sports that take place primarily or only in the wintertime. If you have any ability in those sports, you might have a seasonal job opportunity. We mostly think of skiing in the winter months, and if your college campus is located near ski resorts it may be an opportunity for you. But another alternative is ice-skating, or its close cousin roller skating.

Skating rinks all over the country need staff, not only as on-ice guards, but also to staff and maintain the building. There can be job opportunities in selling and servicing equipment, as well as in preparing and selling concessions.

Fitness Centers

Getting in shape is probably the most common New Year’s resolution. A lot of people flock into gyms and fitness centers early in January. Fitness centers need people to man the front desk, to maintain the building and equipment, and to be fitness instructors. Even if fitness is not your specialty, you can probably find work doing something in the business.

Income Tax Preparation

Income taxes are due on April 15, but the ramp-up for tax season begins in late January. Tax preparation companies, such as H&R Block and others, offer training in income tax preparation that can qualify you to work during the season. But even if you don’t work directly in tax preparation, you may be able find work in some support function, such as copying and collating returns or even troubleshooting computer software issues.

Spring

Spring is a time when the world begins moving outside, and it creates unique opportunities for the season.

Yard and Garden Centers

Spring is when planting and seeding begins, and it’s high season for yard and garden centers. People come in for shrubbery, small trees, grass seed, fertilizer, and insect repellent in droves – and that creates jobs in the industry.

Home Repair, Cleaning and Maintenance

This may be more about starting your own business than about getting a job. People need to do spring cleanups in their homes, garages, and yards, and are often willing to pay someone else to do it. If you like doing physical work, this could be a small business opportunity for you.

Coaching and Refereeing

Spring brings the start of spring sports, such as baseball, soccer and lacrosse. Recreation leagues all over the country need coaches and referees. Do you have a background in any of those sports?

Summer

Summer brings entirely new possibilities into the mix.

Summer Recreation

When we think of summer recreation we think of swimming pools and beaches. Those are possibilities for summertime work but there are others. Many communities offer summer camps for local children that could be held either at local parks or at remote locations. You can work as a camp counselor or as someone behind the scenes to earn some money during summer.

Travel and Hospitality

Summer is high season in the travel and hospitality industry. Hotels and car rental companies are looking to fill positions, especially near resort communities. Beachfront communities often need workers for shops and arcades on their seaside boardwalks and piers. Amusement parks can offer similar positions.

Back-to-School Retail

The back-to-school push in the retail business actually starts right after Fourth of July, but many retailers begin to gear up and hire several weeks before. You can get a job in a retail store in June, and work straight through Labor Day.

Fall

Fall Festivals and Specialty Shops

In the retail industry, the holiday season starts shortly after Labor Day. Some retailers and specialty shops begin staffing up for Halloween, while others make the big push for Christmas. Along the way, there are holiday and fall festivals that can go on for weeks or even months. There are businesses that sell pumpkins and costumes only during the fall season, and then they close until next year.

Holiday Retail

Mall stores, and in particular any stores that sell toys, begin hiring people in September through the end of December. This is usually the biggest season of the year for most retailers, and the easiest time to get a job in that business.

Restaurants

Fall is usually the big season in the restaurant business too. People begin leaving beaches, pools, and backyard barbecues, in favor of restaurants. The restaurant business tends to peak in November and December, but hiring can be strong weeks in advance.

A Year-Round Winner

As a college student, if you’re looking for paying work that you can do most of the year, consider tutoring. It’s mainly for the spring and fall semesters, but you might also be able pick up some work during summer sessions as well.

You need to pick one or two subjects where you are strong, and you can offer your services to students who are struggling in those subjects. You can earn anywhere from $25-$50 per hour as a tutor, and once you get a few students the referrals keep you busy.

You may even be able to do some tutoring work year-round, and supplement that with seasonal jobs as you need the income. Think about jobs where you only have to use your brain!

What seasonal job opportunities have you had, and recommend for other students? Leave a comment!

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10 Affordable Date Ideas With Your Spouse

Are you looking for affordable date ideas so that you and your spouse can go out from time to time without needing to climb your way out of debt afterward? Here are some suggestions that can help, and maybe they’ll get you thinking of some other possibilities.

1. Attend a fireworks display.

Yes, fireworks tend to happen most often at Fourth of July, but there other times and places that fireworks are held that we pay less attention to. Some communities will hold fireworks displays on something like “founders day” (commemorating the day the community was founded), or perhaps to promote the local downtown area. Sometimes they’ll be held in connection with a successful sporting event, and they’re not at all uncommon at beachfront communities on summer weekends.

You can usually attend these displays for free, and not only can you enjoy the fireworks, but also the participation in a community event.

2. Take a trip to the beach.

You can usually go to public beaches for free. And since you won’t be paying any money to get to the beach, it opens up a lot of possibilities for add-ons. You can bring lunch or dinner, or even a bottle of wine. And while you can go swimming by day, walking on the beach at night – accompanied by a campfire – can be really romantic.

3. Go out for a night on the town.

You can head out for a night on the town without spending a lot of money. There are some thriving downtown areas where the stores and shops are open well into the night, and some of them have street activity too. There may be a free concert in the square, or even stands or kiosks giving out free samples. You can spend time window shopping and taking in the sights and activities without spending more than a few dollars.

4. Attend ethnic festivals.

Many ethnic groups have annual festivals that celebrate their culture and their food. You don’t have to be a member of that ethnic group in order to attend one. In fact, sometimes you even more fun if you’re not a member that ethnic group! The festival can include dancing and free food samples. You’ll probably spend some money there, but not a lot.

5. Get free movies or concerts in the park.

In an effort to increase civic pride, communities often have free movies or concerts at a local park. The movies and concerts themselves are free of charge, and there usually are concessions selling drinks and snacks at reduced prices. Some of these events can be combination affairs, offering an evening movie that’s preceded by a concert provided by some local talent. Universities and hospitals will sometimes have these free events too.

6. Visit art galleries and museums.

Art galleries and museums often offer free admission. They’ll do this in an effort to promote themselves, or to encourage people to buy productions in their galleries. These are low-key events where you can take your time. And since they cost so little (or are free) you can often combine them with an inexpensive dinner out for a very affordable date.

7. Go to a high school football game.

You probably attended high school football games when you were a teenager and had a lot of fun doing it. Bringing back an event from your past can be one of the best dates that you can have. It’s not just the nostalgia factor, but the fact that you can forget yourself in the middle of something so quaint. High school football games are inexpensive to attend, especially when you consider the prices charged at college and professional events. You can make a night of it without spending a lot of money.

8. Find dessert out.

If money is tight and going out to dinner has become too expensive, a nice alternative is to go out instead for dessert. It’s not quite like going out for dinner, but you are still going out, which is the next best thing. It’s also a nice thing to do in combination with some other low-cost or free date ideas.

9. Go dancing at a nightclub or hotel lounge.

Hotel lounges and many nightclubs have admission without a cover charge. You could quite literally dance all night for free! To be equitable though, you may want to order a couple of drinks – you can make them soft drinks to save a little more money. Just make sure that if you do, you tip your waiter or waitress generously.

10. Have an at-home dinner and a movie.

I saved this one for last because it’s virtually a cliché when you’re looking for inexpensive dates. But cliché or not, it’s still an excellent idea! You can rent a video or two for just a couple dollars (or try Netflix), and make your favorite meal complete with a bottle of wine and dinner candles, without spending over hundred dollars for the evening.

To make the movie feel more real, pop your own popcorn – with real butter – and turn the lights out when the movie is on. Atmosphere makes all the difference!

What suggestions do you have for affordable date ideas with your spouse? Leave a comment!

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