SmartyPig

Thanks to Liz Proctor, SmartyPig Account Manager, for today’s guest post.

My first, and least daunting, resolution of 2012 is simple: Find more time to read. I thought it most appropriate to kick start the New Year with a book called The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. Throughout the book, the author shares what she calls “highly idiosyncratic experiences,” in hopes that the reader will learn to create their own form of Happy.

Each month Rubin explores a different facet of daily life, including very challenging topics such as Mindfulness and Attitude that left me thinking for days. July, or Money is titled “Buy Some Happiness” and probes the question: Does money buy happiness? In her studies, Rubin finds that the association between money and happiness is altogether quite ambiguous. Although the matter is not tied up with a pretty bow at the end of the chapter, the author does provide encouraging insight and practical suggestions for amplifying joy while spending or saving.

Rubin brings light to the notion that a lack of money adds much more to unhappiness than an abundance of money adds to happiness. When financial times are difficult, it’s hard to think of anything outside of money. But when finances are not a problem a person doesn’t think much about it one way or another. By planning ahead and expecting the unexpected, challenges with finances can be dealt with before they might occur and, thus, aren’t as challenging.

Lastly, Rubin recommends that you save for a modest splurge that enhances your happiness goals. Save so you can spend more time with friends and family, save for ways to support an important cause, save for experiences and memories. By taking the time to imagine and plan, you will avoid the remorse that clings to impulse purchases and you will form a much longer lasting feeling of happiness.

Whether your SmartyPig goals are for necessity or luxury, we wish you happy savings!

It’s the time of year when people begin making new financial plans, setting goals, and making resolutions. Additionally, it’s best to talk these pretty huge concepts over with your partner. There’s no better expert on the subject than MSN Finance guru, Liz Weston. In a recent article Liz urges couples to pick an opportune time, list the topics you need to cover, and dig in.

Not sure which topics to start with? Well, Liz helps you out there too. How was money handled in your family growing up? Share credit reports, make a debt pay-off plan, and talk about future savings needs. Liz says, “you may not come to an agreement — or at least an agreement that works with your current financial situation — the first time you discuss any of these matters. But understanding each other is the key to working out an eventual solution.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, Liz. As you get your financial ducks in a row this month, make certain to tuck your savings goals safely into SmartyPig. We’ll help you reach them faster and reward you, too!

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

I’m guessing many of you resolved to “save more” come the dawn of 2012. Besides selling off everything you own, there are two simple ways to win this war: spend less or earn more. The recent economy makes the latter tough, so when I came across the “10 Things You Should Stop Paying For” on Yahoo Finance this morning, I had to share.

Kristin Colella, article author suggests cutting costs simply by decreasing your coffee house visits, using reusable water bottles, and cancelling magazine, newspaper or online subscriptions you don’t use. If you have a little more time on your hands consider making your own baby food or changing out all of your light bulbs to the more energy efficient alternative. Colella is spot on with her recommendations and taking her advice could save you a nice chunk of change. And that change would sure make a nice addition to a goal for a much-needed vacation or even something more practical like taxes or holiday gifts.

Cut the costs and add to your goals today!

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

Peer pressure can make you dress a certain way, or drive a particular car, but can it actually affect your finances too? “…a combination of support and shame, and the desire to conform to social norms, persuades people to publicly set a goal and then achieve it,” says SmartMoney expert, Jen Wieczner. Additionally, a series of studies shows that information comparing individual savings or financial behaviors to others in your peer group significantly increases personal efforts towards the same goal. Meaning, someone gives you a statement saying these inviduals in your peer group are saving X amount. You will naturally strive to save that amount too. Seems natural, right?

The abundance of financial news today makes this theory more prevalent. Most news blogs or information sites you visit have at least one tagline asking you to “compare your finances to your peers” or “see if your net worth/finances/savings are on track.” Sometimes it’s a tough outcome to hear; sometimes it makes you rest a little easier. Either way it’s information that can’t hurt, and like the studies say, it might actually help. So dig into the news today and then let your SmartyPig goals have it – in a good way!

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

By Jon Lal, founder of coupons and cash back website BeFrugal.com (http://www.befrugal.com), where for a limited time, shoppers who sign-up for free cash back get a $10 Sign-Up Bonus.

On TV we see the extreme couponers clip, save and carry loads of goodies home for next to nothing, but can real people score the same deals without turning it into a second job?

This is especially important at this time of year after the generous gift-giving season and holiday travel. For many of us, January means New Year resolutions like adding to our savings accounts.

Here is some advice to manage money better and shop smarter in 2012:

Get digital deals:

• Each time you shop, use the internet first to search for online promo codes and free shipping codes. Cash back and coupon savings sites like BeFrugal.com have a plethora of deals waiting for you. Search by store or category to quickly find a bargain!
• If you prefer to go to the store, get free printable coupons on many of these same savings sites. Just do a quick search for the stores you plan to go to and print them out before you leave the house. If there are stores you frequent, you can leave the printed coupons in your car or purse so you are always ready to save.
• Instead of driving from store to store, save time by looking online at weekly ads. They’re conveniently posted on many money-saving sites.

Free money? Yes, it does exist!

• It may seem too good to be true, but you can earn cash back (meaning you are earning a percentage of your transaction in a free account) when you shop online. It’s as easy as logging in, clicking a link to your favorite store and shopping online as usual. SmartyPig savers do this all the time with the SmartyPig Cash Rewards Card.
• Often a well-kept secret, here’s how to save even more: you can often use a promo code for a discount plus earn cash back on the same transaction.

Take advantage of tech tools:

• There are many handy money-saving calculators and other cool tools online. You can use them to plan trips, see how much you should spend on a car, and more. These tools are easy enough for anyone to use, and they’re totally free. Many are posted on money-saving and personal finance sites. A quick search can save you loads of cash and prevent you from spending foolishly.

Now that we are in 2012, it may not be such a surprise that each tip mentioned above incorporates the computer. Technology is everywhere, and it can help you spend less. Make it your goal to use the internet to save money on all your shopping in 2012!