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Did you trade baseball cards with your friends when you were a kid? It was fun, wasn’t it? Well, here is a new twist on this old idea: Swap books, DVDs, and CDs with folks online.
PaperBackSwap has been in existence since 2006. They have over two millions books on hand. To join, all you have to do is list ten books that you currently own and are willing to swap with others.
If someone wants one of your books, you will receive an email requesting it. Then all you have to do is send the book to them via media mail (which is the most affordable way to send reading material).
In addition, each time you mail a book you receive a credit towards books that you would like for yourself.
Another popular website is called BookMooch and has about half a million books available. Similarly, Title Trader allows you to swap CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes.
Swaptree was recently written about in the New York Daily News’ “Your Money” section. The article by Jean Chatsky with Arielle McGowen talks about trading and how you can save a ton of money on swapping books, CDs, and DVDs.
In the article, it was stated that “According to one of Swaptree’s founders, Mark Hexamer, the site’s users get about $30,000 worth of free media every day by trading up – that’s almost a quarter million a week.”
Just as with the other sites, Swaptree only requires that you pay for shipping. Again, utilizing media mail can save you quite a bit of money.
While the library is a great source for obtaining current book titles, sometimes they only have one copy and it could be out for a long period of time. By using any one of these swap sites – you can literally choose any book from the comfort of your home on any given day.
Who knows, you may even make a new online friend who has interests similar to your own!
As we all strive to save every penny during this recession, you may have come up with creative ideas to keep your family budget on track.
Whether it’s utilizing online coupons or cutting coupons from the Sunday newspapers, canceling magazine subscriptions, buying groceries in bulk, growing your own fruits and vegetables, buying clothes at consignment or thrift stores, or conserving energy costs by going “green,” there are many ways you can stretch the dollar.
Here are five ways that may also be helpful.
1. Shop at dollar stores. Believe it or not, the neighborhood Dollar Tree stores have seen a boon in consumer spending.
According to AARP, “Dollar Tree merchandisers work with food suppliers to help them develop products at a cost low enough to allow the company to make some profit. Sometimes, a manufacturer has excess inventory that it’s willing to unload at a discount. That closeout merchandise provides some of the brand names that Dollar Tree carries. In other cases, a brand-name manufacturer might make a special size that Dollar Tree can sell for a buck. The stores have a “freshness guaranteed” policy and pledge to sell no items past their expiration dates.”
2. Trading. In the November 17, 2008 “Your Money” section of the New York Daily News, Jean Chatsky and Arielle McGowen wrote an article entitled “Hard Times Call for Creativity.” They make the case for trading, renting, borrowing, and taking that which you need but can’t afford. They cite a number of websites such as Book Mooch and Swaptree.
If you have books that have already been read or DVDs that you no longer have use for, you can go to either of these two sites and trade them for other books or DVDs you might like to own. It is estimated that “Swaptree users received approximately $30,000 worth of free media every day by trading.” All is required is the cost of shipping; however, sending items via media mail is the most affordable.
In addition, another website mentioned in their article is Zwaggle.com. This is a site for parents whose toddlers “grow out of clothes and shoes.” Here you can trade the items no longer worn by your toddler for things you need such as high chairs, strollers, and other necessary wear.
3. Renting. Another unique idea is to rent an ensemble for that special occasion. Avelle and From Bags to Riches rent out designer handbags while Borrowed Bling rents out jewelry. This is designed for a one-time event and not for an item that you will be wearing more than once.
4. Borrowing. “Neighborhood and Lending Circle” are two sites where you can borrow items online. This network is comprised of individuals in your city who prefer to lend/borrow items instead of purchasing them outright.
5. Taking. Taking unwanted items is another way to stretch the dollar. This has become the most popular method as evidenced by the website “Freecycle.” Whether you need furniture, appliances, toys, coupons, or anything else you can’t afford, this site enables its members to post items they want to give away. You can log on to determine if there is anything you would like and if so, you can make arrangements to pick up the items. There is no fee required. Three other websites are mentioned in this article as well: Freesharing, Sharing is Giving, and FreeUse.
Note that if you find any websites offering to give away items, but they ask for a fee, it is a scam. Also, do not, under any circumstances, give out any financial information. Just ensure that the website has an email address, telephone number, and address.
Finally, re-examine your household budget. Where can you make additional cuts? When you find them, add that extra money to your savings account. If necessary, write down every expense made in a week. Make the necessary modifications to the budget. Hard times call for hard measures. Above all, pay down credit card debt; put the card away for emergencies, and begin paying for anything you buy with cash.
Author & Creator: Cindy Morus, “The Money Mender”
Format: Printable Guides in PDF Format, Downloadable Software (Windows only)
Official Website: PDQ Pay Debt Quickly
Description
The PDQ Pay Debt Quickly System is a unique system for reducing debt without having to make any large payments or lifestyle changes. It comes with software to help calculate the debt-free date and track progress. The accompanying resources provide information and tools to further reduce debt costs and change habits regarding money.
Who the System is Suitable For
It is meant for individuals who are able to make their current minimum monthly payments on their various debts. It is not meant for people who are behind on their payments and are unable to keep up with the minimums.
Details
The system comes with a number of components and they include:
- Pay Debt Quickly Software: The software allows you to enter in up to 30 loans and debts and make a plan to calculate your debt-free debt and keep up with your month-to-month balances.
- Pay Debt Quickly Success Guide: The guide provides information on the credit card industry and how they’re designed to keep you in debt indefinitely. It includes practical advice on using the system and set up a monthly payment plan that shouldn’t cause financial hardship.
- 12 Simple Steps of Money-Minding eBook by Tracy Piercy: Debt reduction advice with the focus of keeping ones realistic lifestyle.
It also includes 3 extra guides to help you manage and change your outlook on money:
- EZ Budget Guide: Teaches readers how to make a spending plan, instead of a budget and how to plan ahead for unexpected expenses.
- Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” eBook: This classic guide that teaches people how to accumulate wealth also includes a practical workbook to help ensure all the steps are followed.
- Credit Card Secrets: This ebook shows how to save thousands of dollars in interest, how to get rid of annual fees and pre-written scripts to use with your creditors to get them to do what you want them to.
Thoughts
The main strategy behind the PDQ Pay Debt Quickly System is extremely powerful. Even if a buyer doesn’t go through all the materials, if they get that main basic concept and stick with it, it is a very powerful debt reduction strategy. The additional information and tools provided will help save plenty of money when it comes to fees and interest. The product even includes useful “scripts” to deal with creditors will be a tremendous help to those ready to show their creditors who’s boss.
The system is also geared to ensuring that users develop a new relationship with money and helps encourage long-term success because that is the key. Getting rid of debt today, only to rack it up again tomorrow, doesn’t do anybody and good. PDQ aims to help users make long-lasting changes, but of course the true success is in the hands of the user.
If you’ve struggled with debt for any amount of time, you know how it can feel like you’re in a big black hole, you just can’t seem to dig yourself out of. Balances never seem to go down and you need to keep tapping into credit cards just to make ends meet.
There is plenty of debt advice out there and you may have tried things like debt consolidation, making large payments to your debts to try to pay them faster and other methods that just don’t seem to work. Things just keep getting more and more difficult to manage.
But it really doesn’t have to be that way…
If you’ve been able to keep up with your minimum monthly payments until now, there is a solution for you. And it’s remarkably simple if you follow the appropriate steps laid out for you.
I’m talking about the “Pay Debt Quickly Kit” that shows you how to:
- Pay debt off faster without having to make any large payments.
- Get what you want from your creditors to pay off your debt faster and even improve your credit score.
- Make drastic changes in the way you think about and handle money without feeling like you’re deprived in any way.
The kit includes everything you need to get to debt-free faster. From software that helps you quickly and easily calculate your precise debt-free dates to strategies to take control of your finances and even work with your creditors so that you benefit, instead of them – this kit has what you need to eliminate your debt.
Everything is available for instant download and you don’t have to wait for anything to come in the mail. That means you can start sleeping better and stop worrying about your debt, starting RIGHT NOW.
While experts predict we will have a harsh winter, it pales in comparison to the financial crisis prediction that we should brace ourselves for a more difficult road ahead. In the first three weeks of October, the stock market’s volatility was considerable, unemployment statistics rose, and a total of sixteen banks closed. And even though oil prices have declined, it is predicted that production will be reduced next month by 15 million barrels, home foreclosures increased, and home equity decreased yet again.
At a time when the Rescue Plan may have eased the credit crunch to some degree, the dollar has seen a significant decline globally. As nations try to cope with this financial crisis, some experts insist that we have not yet hit the bottom. Everyone is worried; there is no denying that. As early as October 24th, fears of a global recession have come to fruition with its first victim: Great Britain.
In light of recent events and in order to prepare for what is certain to become a difficult road ahead, here are ten ways you can prepare for any eventuality.
1. Take stock of your financial assets. If you have a household budget, you may have to reassess each item to determine where, if anywhere, you can make additional cuts.
2. Put away enough savings to cover expenses for at least 18 months up to two years.
3. Pay down as much debt as possible.
4. Check your insurance policies to ensure they are up to date. If necessary, raise the deductible from $500 to $1000. This can yield up to 25% in savings.
5. Call credit card companies and ask to have your interest rates reduced.
6. Bundle your TV, internet, and cable services through your cable or phone company.
7. If you have a landline and cell phone, you may wish to get rid of the landline and utilize the cell phone exclusively.
8. If you spend a considerable amount of money on entertainment such as movies, theatre, or sports events, it may be a good idea to suspend these activities for a while and put the money saved towards the emergency fund.
9. Winterize your home and begin to utilize energy conservation where applicable. For example, purchase energy-efficient light bulbs and ceiling fans, limit the number of holiday lights or switch to LED light bulbs instead, and unplug appliances when not in use. Shut down the computer instead of keeping it in sleep mode, keep the thermostat low during the day and keep window blinds open to heat a room.
10. Reduce the number of take-out food orders. Buy groceries in bulk when on sale and select a day during the week when you can prepare and freeze meals for two weeks or more at a time.
Difficult times call for difficult measures. We all need to make sacrifices to ensure we have enough savings for any financial scenario.
