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Saving is quite important to have better control over your personal finance. You should learn how to save a certain portion of your income every month. You can use this money to build an emergency fund, put it in a savings account, pay off your debts or invest for getting profitable returns in future.7 Tips to save moneyFollow these 7 simple tips to save a substantial amount every month.1. Don’t build up debt on credit cards – Credit cards help you in a number of ways. However, you should know how to manage your credit cards so that you don’t build up debt. It is advisable to not use your cards for each and every purchase. Instead, use plastic money only to purchase big items that you can afford. Always try to pay off the outstanding balance at the end of each credit cycle.2. Get free samples of items – Several websites offer free samples of a variety of items. You can browse through the manufacturer’s websites in order to find the free samples of the items you require. You can also visit big stores to get such free products. This way you can save money, which in turn, will help you to manage your personal finance.3. Collect discount coupons – You can collect discount coupons by browsing through the company websites. You should also check your local newspapers to find such coupons. Collect these coupons and use them to get a significant discount on your purchased items.4. Save a percent of your monthly income – Try to save at least 10% of your income every month. One of the best ways to achieve this target is to set aside 10% of your income while planning your monthly budget.5. Make a shopping list before visiting a store – Many of you end up purchasing certain items you don’t require. In order to avoid this, always make a list before visiting a departmental store and don’t buy a single item that’s not on the list. If you make this habit, then it’ll help you to save money ad have better control over your personal finance.6. Try to buy items in bulk – While shopping your grocery items, try to purchase in bulk especially if it’s on sale. For example, if you require 8 packs of fruit juice and it is on sale, then it’s advisable that you buy 16 packs and don’t buy it in the next month.7. Buy items on sale – Check the items on sale before making a purchase. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll buy each and everything that is on sale. Think twice before purchasing an item that is not on your list.Budgeting and saving money is the basic step in personal finance planning. After you’re able to save a portion of your monthly income, the next step is to invest it properly so that you’re able to meet your financial goals. If required, take suggestion from a financial advisor to know which type of investment will be best suitable for you.

In my last article I began a discussion of how the tools of technology can make life more accommodating. At the same time, you can readily continue to learn and grow. Here are some additional suggestions:CONTINUE THE LEARNING PROCESS
Since it is well known that we are living longer, healthier lives, why not make the most of our time. That is, we have the time to reinvent and rediscover our passions. We can readily afford to experiment with new things. Hence, in that sense, the learning process never ceases.These days, you do not have to leave the comfort of your home or office to take courses. This is where technology, and in particular the Internet, serves us well. A plethora of course offerings is available for enrichment purposes or for matriculation. Let’s examine some of the options.Distance Education – The easiest way to understand distance education is to think of it as simply a learning situation in which the teacher and learner are separated. The technologies used in distance education are most often one of the following:• Print – books, study guides, and other materials
• Audio – radio, telephone, cassette/cd, audio conference
• Video – TV medium, video conference, recorded videoThe most common types of distance education courses include:• Correspondence conducted through the regular mail
• Internet conducted
• Telecourse/Broadcast where content is delivered via radio or television
• CD-ROM where the student interacts with computer content
• Pocket PC/Mobile Learning where content is offered through a mobile deviceA great place to explore distance learning opportunities is at Yahoo Distance Learning Directory (dir.yahoo.com/Education/Distance_Learning). Here, you’ll find links to Adult Education (ranked according to popularity), college and university offerings, general online courses, television courses, and more.Peterson’s has an easy to use search mechanism that allows the user to enter the intended course of study, intended degree level (if any), and any on-campus requirements. You can also search by college if you have a particular institution in mind.The University of Phoenix Online (online.uofphx.info) is one of the largest online higher education programs in the country. The areas of matriculation include associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. You simply fill out a questionnaire on the site, and then get directed to available programs to fit your needs.Online Museums and Virtual Tours – Many museums offer an interesting online presence through their respective links. Ultimately, you can pull together a vast array of exhibits and collections including classic art and architecture.A great site to visit is The Museum of Online Museums. Here you’ll find many links to brick-and-mortar museums. Most of these sites will present multiple exhibits from their collections. There really is something for everybody at this site including the Smithsonian Art Museum, a link of Russian museums, art treasures from Kyoto, the Van Gogh Gallery, even a skateboard museum.VLMP (Virtual Library Museum Pages) is a worldwide directory of online museums that are organized by country.Museums of the World, boasts a staggering variety of educational links accompanied by a large amount of interactive virtual exhibits with links to dozens of museum shops. Most of their links are topically arranged.HOBBIES AND ENTERTAINMENT
Mp3 Players – If you are a music buff, times have really changed. From the early days of listening to records, to the supposed advanced technology of eight track tapes it’s so easy to now listen to any song at anytime with an MP3 player and a computer.Satellite Radio – Satellite radio offers you an enormous array of music and entertainment channels with clear reception. This is of particular interest if you travel and desire consistent reception. The kind of satellite radio you get depends on your intended use.Music Software – GarageBand is a specific software application that allows users to create a piece of music. At this point in time, it is for Mac computers. It is intended to help amateurs easily produce music. The application comes with about one thousand pre-recorded sampled and sequenced loops and fifty synthesized instruments which can be played using a MIDI keyboard connected to a computer or an on-screen virtual keyboard. Using a microphone, you can also record an instrument or a voice-over to the loops.Podcasts – A podcast is a digital media file, or a series of files, that is distributed over the Internet for playback on portable media players (such as an iPod) and personal computers. Files can be audio or video. Listeners can subscribe to this feed by submitting a feed address (like the iTunes store). In this way, when new “episodes” become available in the podcast they can be automatically downloaded to that user’s computer. The content is not real-time so users can check out the material at their leisure.Digital Scrapbooks – Digital scrapbooking utilizes computers, software, and digital photos to create beautiful scrapbook pages. Basically, you store your photographs in albums or individually on your computer hard drive. Depending on how fussy you are about details, you would use any of the more popular software packages to edit your photos.Hobby Websites – There are a variety of websites that cater to your interests. If you are interested in hobbies that have to do with space and associated technology, then you should certainly visit the Hobbyspace site. The discussions here include satellite building, rocketry, modeling, astronomy and much more. There are also links to space art and music. A major goal of this site is to reach the general public who are interested in space but do not actively pursue that interest. Studium is a cyber magazine website that provides the general hobbyist with information relative to varied fields of collecting and study. So, for example, you’ll find articles on collecting miniatures, counterfeit coins, and movies.

Hasn’t it been a tough winter! The whole nation has taken an icy beating, experiencing ice and the prediction of snow from Florida in the south to traditionally hard-hit states in the north such as New York and Massachusetts.Virginia – particularly the northern sector – didn’t escape the bite of the cold and wind this autumn, and now that spring seems to be finally on its way, many homeowners are facing the prospect of much needed home repairs and general maintenance jobs to ensure their properties not only look good, but will stand the test of time throughout the summer and into whatever the next winter throws at them.Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged or damaged gutters are a common sight after a harsh winter. However with the spring rains due any moment a gutter system not working correctly can spell disaster for the homeowner. Water damage is very expensive to repair so ensure your gutters and downpipes are no only free from debris, but are well maintained and functioning well. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, or if you don’t have the skills to effect repairs, call a local handyman who will be able to help you out.Repair Cracks in Concrete
Concrete patios, driveways or walkways that have become cracked will let water through that can lead to movement and settling. Don’t wait until it’s too late; get cracks in flat concrete areas fixed now before they become uneven. Also, if water gets into cracks and freezes next winter, it will widen and worsen the cracking.Look After Your Woodwork
Wood, particularly on older houses, is susceptible to water damage over time. As with most home repairs, tackling them now will not only be easier, but far cheaper than waiting until they have become more urgent. Small areas of damage to wooden components (window sills, fences, etc.) can often be done with epoxy wood patching compounds that is even harder and more durable than the wood itself once dry. If the damaged woodwork is structural then it’s imperative it is fixed immediately, and a quick look through the Yellow Book uncover many local carpentry and handyman services who can take care of this for you.Inspect the Roof
A damaged or leaky roof can spell disaster for the homeowner. A professional handyman not only knows the tell-tale signs that a roof needs repairs, but he or she has the head for heights and the necessary skills to get up a latter and ensure that repairs are quick and effective.General Touch-Up
Although generally considered cosmetic, a general touch-up to the outside of a house will not only keep it looking good, but will hold its value and help ward off future damages from the elements. A pressure wash to remove algae and mold, a lick of paint here and there to protect masonry and woodwork, new or repaired screens to let the spring air in but keep the wildlife out… There are plenty of small things to be done that will help you and your family to get the most from your home.