| Baby Boomers are coming to terms with the realities | | | | example. Why go to expensive Malls when you can |
| of life, the current state of the economy, and their | | | | go to any of these stores and get top brands for 50% |
| health. I can't fix your retirement package and make it | | | | to 70% off original price. Go to specialty stores like |
| better, especially after the economic debacle of the | | | | Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger, but visit these at the |
| last couple of years; but I can get you on the right | | | | factory outlet malls. |
| track with your health, cash flow, and state of | | | | 5)Leasing vehicles is a major monthly expense, |
| happiness. And perhaps, get you thinking in the right | | | | especially if you are 'name-brand conscious' and must |
| state of mind which can bring about positive results to | | | | drive any of these brands: BMW, Mercedes Benz, |
| help you face life with more enjoyment and less | | | | Lexus and Infiniti. Perhaps when you were gainfully |
| concern and worry. | | | | employed with a salary over $150,000 per year is fine. |
| First of all, understand that nothing, absolutely nothing, is | | | | Today, you might be out of a job, or retired, and your |
| the end of the world. I already faced many obstacles | | | | 401 K market value is drastically reduced, so it's time to |
| in my life only to come out ahead in every respect. I | | | | come down to an American car, or a lower grade |
| lost my house to divorce, but sold it at the peak of the | | | | Japanese car (problem-free, that is) or a VW. I used to |
| real estate market in South Florida. Did I cry about it? | | | | be an agent leasing vehicles to customers, and the |
| No, because there were no choices to consider. Do I | | | | savings can be from $300 to $800 per month alone |
| have a retirement package worthwhile? No, and life | | | | by downgrading brands and adjusting your auto |
| has gone on with or without me. I simply adjusted to | | | | insurance. |
| my economic reality, and started living prudently and | | | | 6)Eating out can amount easily to hundreds of dollars |
| successfully in terms of health, monthly expenses and | | | | spent needlessly. There are many restaurants which |
| entertainment. | | | | afford great food without all the bells and whistles and |
| What we do with our lives will depend on the attitude | | | | expensive wines, and you can still enjoy a wonderful |
| that we adopt to make it all work out. The most | | | | evening. Make eating at home more enjoyable, and |
| important thing is to reduce your monthly expenses so | | | | you will see that at the end of the month you will have |
| that your monthly income is adequate to cover your | | | | money left over in your bank account. Go out for an |
| costs without suffering too much in the process. | | | | evening, but make it less often per month. Applebee's |
| The most important thing is to eat well but not in | | | | is a great place for a family dinner, and they have |
| excess. Big meals do not a healthy man or woman | | | | specials all week long. |
| make. You need to cut out expenses that bring no | | | | 7)These are some ideas to make extra money on the |
| value to you. If you smoke, that can be $100 a month | | | | side: tutoring students a school subject; dog-walking; |
| or more that could be saved, for your own health | | | | teach English or a foreign language to clients; become |
| sake and that of your family. If you drink beer or hard | | | | a travel assistant; provide independent driver services; |
| liquor, maybe you can reduce the consumption and | | | | house cleaning; babysitting; bookkeeping services for |
| take a savings on that also. If you have a habit which | | | | small businesses (you may need to take a course in |
| is counterproductive, such as gambling, you have to | | | | Quickbooks). |
| come to the realization that you just can't afford to | | | | 8)Your health can be one very expensive proposition |
| lose money, especially if you don't have a job any | | | | after you reach your 60's and beyond. If you have |
| longer. | | | | invested in keeping yourself healthy up to now, you will |
| Here are some excellent ideas to save you money, | | | | enjoy your life a lot more over the years left for you |
| and also to make money safely and without the need | | | | to live. Exercising is the secret to good health, besides |
| to invest but just time and your vehicle. | | | | eating nutritious foods and granted that you don't |
| 1)Television/Internet Cable is a monthly expense from | | | | smoke or drink in excess. These are few of the |
| $30 to $100 which may include a telephone land line | | | | exercises that I would recommend: walking regularly, |
| and 150 channels of useless news, movies, and sports. | | | | jogging, light weight lifting, push-ups, sit-ups, breathing |
| If you have cell phones in the family, you don't need a | | | | fresh air for a few minutes a day, and biking around |
| land line at home (unless you have to by contract). If | | | | the block at least four times a week. Tennis, golf, |
| television is your only source of entertainment, try to | | | | racketball and basketball are great ways to exercise. |
| get a reduced plan and save some money. | | | | 9)I am a big fan of taking daily vitamins and herbs, and |
| 2)Food is a major item in the family budget. Buying at a | | | | that's why I don't catch colds or the fluyear after year. |
| Dollar Store, Walmart, Target, and Sam's Club or other | | | | My secret is a daily dose of Vitamin C (2 grams per |
| discount stores is the right thing to do. However, you | | | | day); Echinacea (2 per day); Garlic (2 per day |
| might want to purchase the house cleaning products at | | | | odorless); and Omega 3 in Fish Oil (2 per day). Best |
| a Dollar Store near you and save a bundle. | | | | time to take them is in the morning with a glass of |
| 3)Rental movies are now going for $1 per movie for | | | | orange juice. |
| one night. You don't need to go to Blockbuster and | | | | You have received a combination of ideas to get your |
| pay $5 any more. Netflix is also a good deal if you like | | | | budget under control and your health on the right track. |
| to watch many movies per month. Walmart has a | | | | I am the recipient of all of my suggestions which I put |
| Red Box movie machine, and they have all the latest | | | | into practice many years ago. There is no need to |
| hits for just a dollar. Many supermarkets, like Publix, | | | | suffer needlessly because you are running short of |
| have a Blockbuster $1 per night movie rental machines. | | | | funds at the end of the month. Focus on getting family |
| 4)Purchase of clothing will be more economical by | | | | and personal expenses under control, and things will |
| simply going to TJ Maxx, Marshalls or Ross's, for | | | | definitely improve for you. |