The world is moving at a breakneck pace, and though there's something to be said for being quick and efficient, there are times when the best way to get a job done is the tried-and-true way. One of these ways is writing out checks when you do your bills rather than paying online. Sure, there's a convenience to zipping out a payment online, but have you considered the cost when compared to the price of a stamp, envelope, and the check? The following three benefits might just have you chucking the web and picking up your pen!

Cost Savings-

Most of the places that want you to pay your bill online avoid mentioning whether or not that will cost you extra to do so. In fact, most of them tout the “green” benefits of going to a paperless billing style without mentioning that this saves the company money without generally passing this savings on to you, the consumer. Utilities are particularly bad about this, as many of them outsource their payment processing. In order for the outside company to earn a profit for their services, they charge a per-transaction fee which is passed on to the customer. In some cases, this fee can range from just a few cents to over ten dollars per transaction. Other places that use such a system include the federal and state governments, though the fees are typically much higher, and in fact may actually be billed as a percentage of your income tax bill. Writing out a check to any or all of these groups allows you to skip the “convenience fee” associated with paying online, and may spare you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.

Budgeting-

Simply put, writing a check means having to balance your checkbook. That also means you're already sitting at your desk or at the kitchen table, writing out the check, so you might as well note the payment and file the paperwork while you're at it. The problem with paying online is the thing that makes it most appealing- You can pay your bill anywhere, at any time. You may be at a computer at your local library, on your smart phone on a road trip, or even at your cousin's house having dinner. The point is that you're in a place where you may not be able to see your checking account, and may not know quite how much you have available to pay. You could easily overdraft your account, or in the best-case scenario, forget to note the payment in your check register and give yourself fits when you do sit down to balance your account.

Security-

Criminals have found an easier way than check fraud to steal your money. Identity theft has become the most prevalent form of fraud in the United States, and unfortunately, more often than not the problem exists because unwitting consumers hand over vital information without giving it so much as a second glance. Although it's true that the websites that accept online payments are continually updated to attempt to thwart information theft, hackers are literally working 24/7 on ways to get around such safeguards, and you might be surprised just how often they do get through. Today's checks incorporate numerous safety features, and even resist “washing,” a form of check fraud that has fallen the the wayside for easier, bigger scores for criminals.

While it may at first glance appear that writing a check to pay bills in an inconvenience, there are plenty of positives out there to make it worth your while. Think about it carefully next time you're asked to accept that “Convenience fee.”

Labels: budgeting, checks, writing checks

Living today is more expensive than ever before, practically necessitating the American middle class to pick up a second job in order to actually be able to make ends meet. A great number of families, however, simply don't have time. Between caring for the kids and finding a few hours to sleep, there's practically nothing left for the commute to and from a part-time job that may take up an additional six hours or more of your day, not to mention the weekend.

The internet has opened up a plethora of income-generating opportunities for making more money, from selling items online to working on a contract basis. In fact, there's a good chance that the hobby you enjoy so much could turn into a very enjoyable second income. Some have found so much success, in fact, that they have been able to make their hobby income their primary income.

Selling Opportunities

Opportunities for making extra money online are most plentiful in reselling items. From antiques to craft projects, there are numerous opportunities to sell goods on the internet. There are, however, a few things that you have to keep in mind. The first is that you can't duck income taxes because you're just making a few bucks on the side. The second is that by selling online, you'll have to put more thought into security, both at home and with your personal financial information. Putting yourself out there as a seller opens you up to identity theft and fraud that could quickly decimate both your personal and business finances.

Income taxes are generally reported through your payment options. Because Paypal is the number one way of accepting payments, the IRS has come up with a way of tracking the payments made through them. If your sales exceed $20,000 per year, or you have more than 200 transactions, you'll be issued a “Paypal 1099.”

Contract Opportunities

Marginally less numerous and somewhat more difficult to find are contract opportunities. If you have a specialty such as computer programming or technical writing, there are numerous opportunities out there within your field. Although you won't technically be holding a second “job” in the strictest sense, it does allow you the freedom of working on your own schedule while not having to commute or keep an inventory of product in your garage.

In order to find contract opportunities, try checking with the companies in your area to find out if they're outsourcing. If they are, there's no reason you can't throw your hat in the ring. Usually, all it takes is picking up the phone and asking. For specific online opportunities, check the trade journals from your profession to find websites that pay for contract work or act as middlemen.

Although it isn't very easy to get started, you'll find before long that with just a little dedication, you can avoid having to drag yourself home past midnight working for a kid younger than your own kid. After all, it's like they say, There's nothing quite like running your own business, even if it is a part-time gig!

There's nothing quite like a fun family vacation to relieve the stress of your workaday life, iron out the kinks in your short game, or just plain spend some time with a good book on a beach with the roar of the surf providing the perfect backdrop to that whodunit. Unfortunately, summer vacations also have a particular way about them of draining your savings and checking accounts, as well as putting a major bind on your credit card. There always just seems to be those extra expenses that have to be incurred, like that ceramic puppy for your aunt that you just couldn't pass up. Rather than putting off vacations because you don't feel as though you can afford one, though, a little budgeting or even reconsidering where you're taking your vacation can keep you from ensuring that your next vacation is your last. Food really is one of the biggest vacation expenses that you'll incur. Think about it. Unless you're having peanut butter and jelly five days out of six, then chances are good that you'll be eating out every day, at least two and more likely three, meals per day. For a family of four in a vacation town, one week can easily run up a food bill in excess of $1000, figuring $100 per night for dinner, relatively inexpensive eats for lunch, and complimentary hotel breakfast. Sure, you think you're saving money by having a waffle in your bathrobe, but really you could do better. For one, think about where you're eating. Chances are they're tourist traps, so you're going to be charged accordingly. Instead of the usual fare, which is going to be pretty much the same you'd get back home, consider trying some of the mom and pop places that the locals in the area frequent. They'll be less expensive, you'll get a more rounded culinary experience, and chances are the food will be better to boot. Next is your hotel expense. Sure, no one wants to stay in a hotel where the wallpaper is peeling, there's an unidentifiable funk from the noisy radiator, and there's some guy in a T-shirt and his boxers sitting outside your room who says he'll “keep and eye on your car” for you for five bucks. To begin with, check for internet specials and last-minute booking deals. Similarly to the way some airlines work, hotels often have cancellations that they can't fill. Rather than losing out entirely, they'll sell those rooms at a discounted rate, and Voila! You could save as much as half off your accommodations. Finally, there's all those attractions you're going to want to see. Usually, there isn't much you can do with these, since they plan for your attendance, and want to cleave as much money from you wallet as possible. One possible fix is to consider going in the off season. Most places list online the dates they're open and how much it costs to get in. The cheapest dates are the slow season for them. If you can avail yourself of an off-season visit, you could save a bundle on your vacation expenses. Everyone deserves a vacation now and then, particularly from having to worry too much about finances. Make sure to plan your visit ahead of time and you just might find yourself in a very good position to actually enjoy your vacation, rather than constantly worry about what that afternoon of putt-putt golf is going to do to your credit card statement.

Labels: Personal Finance, Saving Money