Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Great Recession part 2 of 3

   It's summer time and you see your neighbor's beautiful yard. Envy starts to mushroom, and keeping up with Mrs Jones begin!  To Home Depot you go, and start shopping for plants that will be the envy of your neighborhood. Cashier rings up the total:   $ 625.00 for a few plants and a few bushes. You swipe your card and the excitement of a beautiful yard comes into view-in your mind. Then you plant all the things you bought at Home Depot and come to realize that not even a quarter of your yard is landscaped. You look at Mrs Jones and her yard, and you see the grin on her face-then you cuss and check your bank account- all you have now left is $ 245.09, and the yard still look bare!!! What do you do? Use your credit card? OPPPS!!!   I'd say NO! keep your credit card and your hard earned money, spend a little fortune for yard beautification.
   Recession is still here and you've got to spend your money wisely.
   My sister just bought a couple hydrangeas, hanging petunias and have spent quiet a fortune.  I went to home depot, and bought couple plants that were half price because they were almost dying, I got a Japanese maple tree that was damaged from excessive wind for 12.00 bucks, the original price of which was 45.00. I bought some seeds and a couple more plants at discounted prices at walmart, then bought a few hanging baskets and two bags of potting soil. Now I am able to watch my plants grow. With a little money and  TLC, you have a nice garden. Always think of ways to save. Before you buy, think a couple of times if you really need it, and if you did buy it and later on realized that you don't need it-return it. 
    My sons, wants me to buy them things that they really don't need. A lot of times I give in. I remember buying a bunch of gifts for Levi on his birthday, thinking that he won't have enough birthday gifts just like what happened last time. I end up spending close to 600 dollars for his birthday celebration and gifts. I know that I would give everything for my kids. But the best thing is to save the money for their future.
    Never spend more than you earn! If you really want to buy that nice TV, save up that money, don't use your credit card. If it gets to be really itchy, you can probably forgive yourself from using your no interest for twelve months credit cards. Just make sure to pay it before it's due, or the interest will be on after a late payment.
    Life in America is all about credit. You have a house mortgage, a car on credit, appliances on credit. You work to pay interest to companies you owe money with. It's a crazy life, but, there's a way to minimize all these spending.
    Do not buy a new house, if you can't afford the payment. Fixer uppers are the best way to start with. You can always sell it later and you'll be surprised you'll make some profit.  Always offer the bank a little lower than what they're asking for. Buy used cars, but if you do want to buy used cars from a private owner bring a friend with you who knows about cars, and test drive it before you buy it. Make sure that there's no transmission or engine problems.  Buy used appliances as well. These can all be replaced as you get through life with less and less difficulties. You can always buy a new refrigerator later, and replaced your old one.
     Lastly when in conversation with friends, mention you need to buy a few things for your house, some friends have a few things they need to get rid of. Their junk can be your treasure. Post your need on public bulletin boards or on craigslist, you'll be surprised to find out that there are always people who are willing to lend a helping hand. Good luck!

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