Champ Money

Those who still have some amount of expendable income in this current difficult economy should use this opportunity to look into those purchases that have been considered for months or years.

Have you been looking for an unbeatable deal on a sleep number bed? Or possibly a whole new bedroom update? Perhaps your dining room table is showing its age?

Retailers are ready to deal, and many are desperate. While this is a time to be conservative financially, if you have the money – and the need – you’ll find tremendous deals with no trouble.

And if you don’t – just ask.

Check with your local utility company to see if they offer a “time-of-use” plan. Many regional power suppliers offer rebates for reducing electricity consumption during periods of peak demand.

These plans can provide $25 to $50 savings each month on your energy bills, depending on the season.

It’s not news to anyone that we’re experiencing a very tight job market at this time. It’s especially obvious to those currently out of work.

There are jobs out there though, from retail jobs and restaurant positions, to management and technical jobs. In fact, every sector of the market has some jobs available.

It’s true that there are fewer than in recent years, and there’s far greater competition for all jobs, at every level.

Stay positive and continue honing your skills. There’s a job out there for you, but it will take some hard work to land it.

Simplify your life, and your home maintenance, by choosing one neutral trim paint for the entire house rather than buying a gallon of a particular color for each room and using only a fraction of each can.

Not only will you save up to $50 for every three rooms, touch-up jobs will be much easier when you don’t need to rummage around for the right can.

One additional tip – Crisp white trim is always in style.

When shopping for cheap auto insurance, keep in mind the difference between “good deal cheap” and “bad deal cheap”.

It’s a fantastic idea to shop and compare quotes from several auto insurance companies. In fact, this should be considered a no-brainer and should be done annually, even if you’re happy with your current insurer.

But don’t base your final decision on price alone. Consider the reputation and stability of the insurance company you’re considering. Cheap insurance isn’t a good deal if help isn’t going to be there when you need to file a claim.

Don’t overlook the little things when trying to save on energy costs. Especially the easy and free things…

Close closet doors to lower the square footage you’re heating (and cooling). Shuttering closets along exterior walls also helps to insulate the house.

You can easily save about $50 per year with this simple task.