Bad Ways To Save Money

Finding new ways to save money on almost anything you buy is almost like getting a raise. Maybe it's even better. When you save twenty dollars on a coat you get to keep the whole twenty dollars. When you make twenty dollars more on your paycheck, you lose five dollars or more of it to taxes.

Finding ways to save money can go too far, though. In a recent newsletter on how to save money, one contributor suggested getting free flowers for weddings by picking up the leftover flowers at a cemetery. She didn't say how you can tell which are "leftovers."

I thought I was cheap! The following are gleaned from real suggestions on ways to save money sent in to "frugality" websites and newsletters. Some cheapskates don't seem to notice that an extra hour at work might put them further ahead than many hours of penny-pinching.

<b>Ways To Save Money - Don't Try These At Home</b>

A mother confessed that she makes her kids stuff their pockets with the free ketchup, salt and other condiment packets every time they were in a fast food restaurant. Oh, if only that were all, but no. She has the kids squeeze the contents of the packets into regular jars of ketchup and mustard too. She says she hasn't bought these condiments in years. Pride is found in strange places.

One creative penny pincher found a way to save money on car washes. He washes his entire car using the squeegee at the gas station. Hmm... I wonder if he takes the toilet paper rolls home from their rest rooms too.

Would you like a free umbrella? One man suggests getting one at the lost and found department of any large public library. You just tell them you lost a black umbrella. They will almost certainly have several, from which you can pick the best one and claim it as your own. What if they have no black umbrellas? I guess we'll have to wait for this guy to publish a "lost umbrella color frequency chart," in order to know which color to try for the next day.

Several contributors to these newsletters know how to save on their long distance phone bills. The most common suggestion is to call people long-distance when you know they won't be home, and leave a message for them. Then they pay for it when they return your call. I suppose if your timing is off, and they answer when you call, you can quickly hang up on them and try again later.

I don't recommend any of these as ways to even the most frugal person. Apart from the ethical issues with some of them, they can be lumped in along with washing and re-using plastic wrap - a time wasting frugality. On the other hand, they are fun to read, and I suppose we could view such measures as cheap entertainment as well. Perhaps you can turn off the lights to save money on electricity and tell the kids it's a game of hide-and-seek, or train your dog to beg from the neighbors so you don't have to feed him.

I wonder how many people actually pay for magazines and newsletters that tell us ways to save money? Do these magazines advise that readers go to the library to read them, or stand reading them in the aisle at the bookstore for a hour? Those are some sure ways to save money.

5 Tips To Make More Money

Whether you are already a true believer or think the whole philosophy of Feng Shui is a hoax, it is worth the time and effort to implement the principles of this ancient Chinese practice to improve the quality of your life. Many people believe creating a Feng Shui home and/or office would be too hard or it's too complex to learn. This is far from the truth. Simple, gradual changes are all that are needed to begin to reap the benefits of Feng Shui. Taking the time to make decorating and arranging changes one at a time will result in a total Feng Shui home before you know it.

The whole philosophy behind Feng Shui is to create an environment in which the positive forces of chi can move consistently and easily through your home, and as such, through your life. It is used to promote balance and harmony in all aspects of your life. Everything from your career and financial status to your love and family life can be improved with the correct use of Feng Shui.

If you were to perform an opinion poll of everyone you know about what aspect of their life they would want to change, you would probably get a lot of different answers. However, there is a good chance you would hear a lot about wanting to make more money. Feng Shui can help even the most dead set non believer make the financial present and future they have always dreamed about. All it takes is following a few simple tips to encourage the flow of positive chi.

Tip 1. In Feng Shui, absolutely everything starts with cleanliness. Since you are looking for ways to make more money, this will apply to both your home and office. Clutter and disorganization is the bane of the flow of positive energy. In order to free it up and allow it to improve your financial situation, you must eliminate clutter from your life. This means to make a sweep of your entire home and office. Make a place for every object you need and want to keep. It is imperative that you make sure things are put away properly and tidiness is the rule of everyday. Not only will this step help promote the positive flow of energy you are looking for, it will also make your life simpler in terms of comfort and finding your things quickly and efficiently.

Tip 2. When you are looking to use Feng Shui to help you make more money, you are in essence asking your environment to help you with a growth process. What's the first thing you think of in regards to growth, besides children? Plants and blooming flowers are often the first answer. For obvious reasons, plants are used in Feng Shui to encourage growth. Place houseplants in both your home and work space to promote financial growth. Take excellent care of them and make sure they are always healthy. If you don’t have a green thumb, don't worry, just use artificial plants. In this case, make sure they are clean and free of dust.

Tip 3. Simply put, the practice of Feng Shui and making more money, involves keeping all of your things in good working order. It isn't enough to just keep it clean. Your things also must be working properly. In terms of making more money, it is also a good idea to focus any equipment you use in your job. Your computer, telephone, printer, etc., need to be clean and working well. Furniture is another item you should keep your eye on. If a chair or table is broken repair it or replace it as soon as possible. You don't want anything broken coming in contact with your money making endeavors.

Tip 4. We have already discussed the importance of eliminating clutter in your life. Another helpful aspect of this is making sure your decorations and furniture is dusted and free from any debris that could limit the positive flow of good chi. Don't forget to vacuum or sweep the floors on a regular basis either. Both are very important in using Feng Shui to promote greater money making potential. Especially at home, don't hesitate to encourage family members to help out with this. After all, the results will benefit them as well.

Tip 5. Now take everything mentioned above, with the exception of the plant thing and use those practices in your car. The Feng Shui principles operate on the belief that energy is always around us. For this reason, keeping your vehicle well maintained, free of clutter and debris, and dust free is important to using Feng Shui to make more money. Especially if potential or current clients are ever in your car, you want to be sure to be ready to make a good impression at any time.

These are just a few ways you can use Feng Shui to make more money and add balance to your life. None of them are hard or expensive, and they will all help you create the life you have always wanted.