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Ten for Tuesday, January 22, 2012
1. Interesting thoughts on “7 habits of extremely frugal people”
One disagreement – I don’t think making your own bread is really “free.” There are costs involved in all of these (even if it is only time costs). Some of those costs are worth it when you are trying to save money, but some may not be.
2. What Makes Debt Socially Acceptable?
3. 6 Step Plan to Dominate Your Debt
Not a whole lot of new information here, but sometimes it’s good to have a list.
4. I Think I Figured Out Why Frugality Is So Popular
Perfectly sums up the reasons “getting out of debt” and “weight loss” are our favorite topics to read about…but never actually do.
5. 3 Steps to a Quick Turnaround
Another “get out of debt” article. I like that he doesn’t gloss over the difficulties, but outlines some good steps to get started.
6. How to Organize Your Pantry a
Morning Wire — US Stock-Index Futures Down Sharply
US index futures are somewhat higher this morning as talks between Greece and other Eurozone countries adjourned without a resolution. Creditors are reportedly seeking a 4% coupon on new Greek bonds, exactly double what the European Central Bank and the IMF have offered. European markets are also sinking today, while markets in India and Japan are up. Markets in China and Hong Kong are closed for the lunar new year holiday.
At about 8:30 a.m. ET, Germany’s DAX is down -1.04% at 6,369.44 and France’s CAC 40 is down -1.10%, at 3,301.61. In London, the FTSE 100 is down -0.84%, at 5,734.20.
In Asia, the Hong Kong and Shanghai exchanges remain closed for the lunar new year holiday. The Nikkei index closed up 0.22%, at 8,785.33.
Dow futures are down -0.33%, at 12,608.00. The
Daily electronic deals: Samsung Series 9 13-inch ultrabook
Today’s electronics deals, courtesy of The Consumerist:
- Tanga.com: Original Sandisk 16GB Class 4 Micro SDHC Card with Adapter for $13.99
- Microsoft Store: 3-lb. Samsung Core i5 13″ SSD Laptop w/$200 credit for $999 + free shipping
- AT&T Wireless: Refurbished Apple iPhone 4 16GB for $100 + free shipping
Entertainment
- Amazon: Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection (Blu-ray) $46.99, free ship
- NewEgg: Xbox 360 320GB Console Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Limited Edition Bundle $299.99, free ship
- Buy.com: Xbox 360 250GB Kinect Bundle + 3-Month Xbox Live + Carnival Games + Kinect Adventures for $349.99 w/ Free Shipping
For general buying advice for many of the products on sale above, check out our free Buying Guides.
Brits plan to cut back on food and clothes to pay for holidays
Money
Millions of Brits are planning to cut back on food and clothes so they can save for a summer holiday, a survey has revealed.
While its good news for the travel industry, the report casts a dark cloud over the high street with 62% of those tightening belts saying it will be at the expense of fashion chains.
Worryingly, the study by website Hotels.com found a third plan to spend less on their weekly grocery shopping with pets also being hit by cutbacks.
And 6% of dog and cat owners will put less pet food in their trollies to claw back cash for the family break in the sun.
Of the 52% who plan to reduce spending on treats and days out so they can save for their annual trip away, four out of 10 will take a packed lunch instead of buying snacks on the go and a fifth will swap their takeaway coffee for a flask from home.
According to the research, scrapping meals out, cutting back on booze, turning down the heating and even slashing spending on toiletries were all on the cards for Brits desperate to put money aside for a summer getaway.
Some will even put personal hygiene on the line and stop buying deodorant or washing clothes regularly, the study of 2,000 adults found.
More than a quarter plan to sell unwanted possessions to top up their holiday fund while 22% admit they will go into the red to make sure they dont miss out.
Hotels.com spokeswoman Kate Hopcraft said, As a lot of homes are continuing to tighten their purse strings, its interesting to see that holidays are not something people are willing to cut back on or cut out and that Brits are reducing everyday spending in order to afford to go away.
While it is promising to see more Brits plan to go on holiday this year compared to last we do hope they save in the right places and dont leave their pets hungry.
To 25 items Brits will cut back on to pay for a holiday:
1.
Fundamental Oil Report (2012-01-16)
NewsCrude oil struggles at the beginning of the weekPreviousForecastAnalysisCrude oil struggles amid mixed factors that affecting it, where the downgrade moves in Europe have added fears into global markets and hit the confidence among investors, which countered the effect from the Iranian issue which played a great role in keeping crude above $100, however, the effect of downgrade move won in putting crude below this level.
Strong holiday spending could prompt new credit card offers
Americans took on more credit card debt during the 2011 holiday season without going overboard, according to statistics from Experian and the Federal Reserve. Government officials announced figures from November that show a $20 billion spike in consumer spending, the biggest holiday rebound in over a decade.
Though auto sales played a major part in the holiday spending surge, researchers say a combination of favorable weather and deep discounts encouraged many Americans to float at least some of their purchases on credit cards. Retail credit cards and zero percent APR credit cards helped inspire a 4 percent boost in consumer goods sales.
The Federal Reserve’s announcement echoes results from a new consumer study commissioned by credit reporting bureau Equifax. Americans’ overall credit card balances still represent a sharp drop from their all-time highs in the fall of 2008, according to Equifax’s latest National Credit Trends Report.
Politicians Speak Out Against Suncorp Plans To Offshore
Indian based companies Genpact and World Network Services are currently scoping back office roles at Suncorp/AAMI which includes claims, distribution, recoveries, settlements, administration and finance. There have been reports in the Financial Press that as a result of the current scoping, thousands of Australian Suncorp jobs may be offshored.
In 2006 active FSU members stopped almost 500 back office jobs at Westpac from being offshored to India. It took a strong political, community and workplace campaign to achieve that result. And together we can do it again!
The FSU has contacted State and Federal politicians calling for them to support Australian Suncorp workers whose jobs are being threatened by offshoring plans.
Queensland Labor Senator Claire Moore wrote directly to Patrick Snowball and called on Suncorp to discard any plans to offshore jobs.