Top Five Tips For Surviving A Down Economy

Following a few easy steps can help keep your head above water during tough financial times.

Even though we can't control when the economy goes into recession, dipping home prices or gas prices increasing, we can decide how we spend, save and invest our money. It's more important now than ever to make the right financial moves, so that regardless of what's going on with the economy, you're able to stay on top of your financial situation. MSN Money personal finance editor Liz Pulliam Weston offers the following advice to help you stay afloat during these tough economic times:

• Don't confuse your needs and wants. We have fewer needs (shelter, food, clothes, etc.) than wants (endless). Figuring out what we really need and how to get it for less can really help get finances in check. If you find yourself saying "I need a (whatever)," stop for a second and consider whether you really do. You probably don't have to live without it forever, but wait until you're in a comfortable enough financial situation before purchasing.

• Getting the big stuff right. If your mortgage or rent payment eats up much more than 30 percent of your gross income or your vehicle costs you more than 10 percent (including financing, repairs and gas), you're probably overspending on the "big stuff" in your life. Try using the Home Affordability Calculator on MSN Money to get a realistic look at what's truly manageable.

• Get out of debt. Whether you meant to do it or not, there's no excuse for carrying credit card debt. It costs you a ton of money in interest and puts you at the mercy of the credit card companies. If you can't pay your bill in full, it's time to put that card away. Pay over the minimum and plan to pay it off entirely before using any of your credit cards again.

• Track your spending. It's not the most fun, but keep track of every nickel you spend for at least two weeks. You'll learn why and how your money is disappearing. Once you can see where your money is going, you can find ways to keep more of it in your pocket.

• Set up an emergency fund. A $500 cushion is something that just about everyone can come up with and it can really be a lifesaver. You never know what can happen tomorrow, and having some savings set aside will help keep you from going further into credit card debt or searching for high-interest alternatives such as payday loans.

More Tips for Better Gas Mileage

Although gas prices have gone down over the last few days, it is not enough for relief. Here are some tips from Carmax.com:

1. Drive Efficiently

-- Drive the speed limit: gas mileage decreases at higher speeds.

-- Don't drive aggressively: speeding, quick acceleration and excessive
braking all waste gas. Driving aggressively lowers gas mileage both on the
highway and when driving around town.

-- Use overdrive and cruise control: If your vehicle has a manual
overdrive, make sure it is ON; overdrive reduces engine speed, which helps
to save gas. Cruise control also saves gas by maintaining a consistent
speed.

-- Avoid idling: idling for longer than 30 seconds uses more gas than
starting up your engine.

2. Maintain your Vehicle

-- Get the manufacturer's recommended maintenance done: keeping your
car in shape improves gas mileage.

-- Make sure your tires are filled to the correct pressure: this can
increase gas mileage by three percent. Always refer to the manufacturer's
specifications.

-- Whenever possible, use synthetic oil: look for "Energy Conserving"
motor oil; it will reduce friction and increase fuel economy.

-- Check and replace dirty air filters: clogged filters can decrease
gas mileage up to 10 percent.

3. Plan Ahead

-- Combine errands: this will save time, money and gas.

-- Remove excess weight: excess weight in the cab or trunk can reduce
mileage. Every extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by approximately two
percent.

-- Eliminate excess wind resistance: roof racks and carrier crates on
the top of the car create drag or wind resistance. Removing these items can
increase fuel economy by about five percent.

-- Use air conditioning when traveling at highway speeds: driving with
the windows open uses more fuel due to the increased drag.

-- Fill up your car in the morning: early morning is the best time
because the gasoline is cooler and denser. Since gas pumps measure volumes
of gas and not densities, you get more fuel for your money.

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Advice For Road Trips: How To Save Money On Gas And Arrive Safely Part 3

(NAPSI)-Drivers can find ways to enhance their fuel economy before ever hitting the pavement.

"Don't let the price of gasoline spoil the fun of your family road trip," says Jim MacPherson, car-- care expert and automotive radio host for WTIC-AM in Connecticut. "By taking a few simple steps, you can save money at the pump and ensure the family vehicle is ready to reach your destination safely."

As a show host, MacPherson is often asked questions about fuel economy, vehicle maintenance and driver safety, particularly as drivers prepare for road trips. Here are some of the most common questions callers ask and his responses to them:

We plan on driving to our destination for the family vacation this year. Are there ways we can keep gasoline costs down?

Yes, there are several things you can do to enhance fuel economy. For starters, take your vehicle in for a basic tune-up. A poorly tuned engine will burn more fuel. Also, keep tires inflated to the proper pressure levels and change the air filter regularly. Consider switching to a fuel-efficient motor oil such as Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy. It can deliver up to 2 percent fuel-economy improvement, and this fully synthetic motor oil will protect your engine in extreme temperatures. (This is based on a comparison versus those grades most commonly used and a potential 2 percent fuel economy improvement. Actual savings are dependent upon vehicle/engine type, outside temperature, driving conditions and your current engine oil viscosity.)

For additional cost savings, travel in a midsize sedan rather than taking a full-size SUV. If you're concerned about the space, consider shipping recreational equipment to your destination or renting items once you have arrived.

What checks of the vehicle should we make before starting out?

Plan ahead for your next road trip and schedule a maintenance service at least two weeks prior to heading out. This will allow for plenty of time for repairs should your mechanic find a problem. A full check of the vehicle's safety systems will give you peace of mind while driving long distances. Most importantly, be sure the vehicle's tires and brakes are in proper working order.

Are there any driving tips to make the trip more economical?

Allow plenty of time to reach your destination so you're not tempted to speed. Driving at high speeds creates wind resistance and burns more fuel. When possible, try to keep rapid acceleration and braking to a minimum, as this can decrease fuel economy. Also, if your vehicle is equipped with cruise control, I recommend using it. Cruise control smooths surges in acceleration and places the driver's view on the road ahead, as opposed to responding to every shift in traffic around them.

I've heard that a dirty car can hurt your fuel economy. Is that true?

Actually, yes. The dirt on your car's exterior creates drag that, over long distances, reduces your miles per gallon. Keeping your vehicle washed and waxed will improve your vehicle's aerodynamics, improving your fuel economy. You'll also feel good about driving around in a clean vehicle.

We are going to need to use the rooftop carrier on our vehicle but the warning label calls for a very low weight limit. Is the roof really capable of supporting only 175 pounds?

These weight limits are often established with vehicle control and handling in mind. Items latched to a roof rack raise the vehicle's center of gravity. Check your owner's manual and follow the weight restrictions on the warning labels to ensure safe travel.

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AAA Tips for Saving Gas Part 1

I have been driving a lot slower these days to save on gas. I obey speed limits to help maximize mikes per gallon.

HEre is a tip from AAA:
Keep a steady speed: Most vehicles already have the best way to do this-Cruise Control! Used properly, It can improve overall fuel economy by up to 14 percent on the highway, according to independent tests.

Cruise control improves fuel economy because any movement of the accelerator - even those too small to noticeably affect speed - wastes gas. However if you use it in traffic conditions that require braking and resetting the speed frequently, you are not saving gas at all.


"Auto Refinance"

Turn Off Your Engine: If you are stuck at a railroad crossing counting the minutes as an endless freight train creeps by, shut off your engine. A car gets precisely zero miles per gallon when idling, and it’s easier on the vehicle and more economical to shut off the engine rather than let it idle for an extended period. There’s a myth that says it takes more gas to start your car than it does to idle for a few minutes. That is only a myth.

Check tomorrow for more gas saving tips.

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You can get something for nothing (I preach thatall of the time on Retail Secrets!). In fact, lots of useful, valuable and coveted things--if you know where to look and who to ask.

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A team of experts researched the world of free offers and confirmed deals that can save you substantial amounts of cash. The result is a handy book filled with a wealth of information like education, health care, travel, and small business, arranged in practical sections and chapters.

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Thrifty And Tasty Tips To Help Stretch Your Meat Dollar

There’s good news for consumers who are trying to cook up ways to cope with higher food prices. By doing their homework before they shop, many are finding that it’s possible to identify values in the supermarket meat case that are tasty and can help save money.

Why are prices rising? Corn to feed livestock and poultry is being made into ethanol to fuel our cars. High corn demand means high feed prices, which in turn means high food prices.

To help consumers enjoy delicious and nutritious meat on a budget, experts at the American Meat Institute offer these tips:

Start With A Plan

• Every shopping trip should start with a plan-a meal plan that leverages sale items and coupons. Get organized with a shopping list, weekly promotions and coupons. This triple effort will result in real savings if you are able to coordinate the use of coupons with weekly advertised meat specials. Plan at least a week’s worth of entrées so you can profit from the weekly specials.

• Use coupons from a variety of sources, such as newspapers and magazines, online grocery coupons from popular coupon Web sites, and in-store coupons that are dispensed throughout the supermarket on double and triple coupon days.

• Join frequent-shopper programs at each of the grocery stores where you shop. The stores’ incentive programs can slice a percentage off your total food bill.

Stock Up And Save

• Stock up on sale meat items and value/family packs to fill your freezer.

• If you purchase a large meat value pack, be sure to portion the meats in quantities suitable for your household and freeze the packages individually.

Plan For Leftovers

Plan dinners so you will have leftovers to use for later meals. You’ll save time, energy and supermarket dollars when you plan ahead to buy and prepare enough servings for more than one meal.

It’s also possible to make the leftovers more inviting by incorporating them into another recipe-a “planned-over.”

• Leftover roast beef or steak can become “planned over” beef quesadillas. Leftover hamburgers can be crumbled into spaghetti and lasagna sauces.

• Leftover pork chops can become pork fried rice with the addition of cooked rice, ginger, scallions, vegetables and eggs.



Shop For Value Cuts

Cuts of meat from the shoulder and leg are well-exercised muscles, are more lean and have a coarse grain. These cuts are very flavorful and are generally considered a “value cut” because they cost less but deliver good flavor and a large amount of meat. These less tender cuts can be tenderized by several methods:

• Marinate in a liquid containing an acid such as vinegar, wine, or lemon or lime juice. As the meat stands in the liquid, the acid breaks down the less tender cuts of meat. The formula for liquid to meat is ½ cup of liquid per 1 pound of meat. Since marinades only penetrate about ¼ inch into meats, it is key to use a cut that is relatively thin.

• Always marinate meats in a covered container and place in the refrigerator. Use a sealable food-grade plastic bag or a glass or stainless steel container, so the acid marinade does not react with the container.

• Use a low-heat and moist-cooking method to soften the connective tissues that run through the muscles. Both the slow cooker and braising cooking methods are perfect cooking techniques for value cuts.

• For more information on stretching the meat dollar or for a series of recipes that use value cuts, visit www.MeatMattersInfo.org for a brochure called “Stretching Your Meat Dollar.” Or send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to Stretch Your Meat Dollar/AMI, 1150 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC, 20036.

Every shopping trip should start with a plan-a meal plan that leverages sale items and coupons. Get organized with a shopping list, weekly promotions and coupons.


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How To S-T-R-E-T-C-H Your Food Dollar

Guest Article: by Heidi Diller, RD - Albertsons Corporate Nutritionist

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a family of four spends $80 more a month on groceries than it did two years ago. Yes, it’s the worst case of food inflation we’ve seen in 20 years. Try having two teenagers at home that drink more gallons of milk than I use in gasoline. Funny that a gallon of milk is currently the same price as a gallon of gasoline. Gives new meaning to the phrase “food is fuel.”

I’ve never been much of a coupon user. And I rarely watched the ads. Not anymore. The challenge I now face is still providing my family with healthy meal options but at a price I can afford. Some simple tips like not shopping hungry and using a list have helped keep unneeded items out of my cart. But this journey has taught me to find ways by which I can stretch my food dollar without my family even noticing the difference. Here are my tips:

• Use the weekly food ads to create a weekly dinner menu. I create a five-day menu that uses the meat that’s on sale along with fresh and frozen produce. I never use coupons for items I don’t regularly buy. Remember, fewer store visits equals fewer dollars spent.

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• Herbs and spices are expensive. So I add flavor and moisture to my cooking by using healthy salad dressings. For example, you can sauté chicken breasts in a tablespoon of Italian dressing and add veggies and rice for a flavorful but low-cost dinner.

• Know how to shop the produce department. Buy apples, oranges, grapefruit, potatoes and onions by the bag-not the piece. It’s cheaper and will fill more lunch bags and cover more meals.

• Did you know that frozen turkey and eggs are the most economical sources of protein per ounce in the store? Yes, eggs are at an all-time high, but at only 50 cents per serving, they are still a protein bargain.

• Two nights a week, save money by trying meatless alternatives. Canned beans provide a good source of protein, fiber and nutrients without the added fat. Add beans to salads, casseroles and soups.

• Use private-label brands and save 15 to 25 percent compared to name-brand labels.

Tex Mex Dinner Salad

A perfect meatless meal for a hot summer night for less than $15.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 (15-ounce) can Wild Harvest pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15-ounce) can Wild Harvest black beans, rinsed and drained

11/2 cups shredded Cheddar and Monterey cheese blend

1 head of romaine lettuce, rinsed and chopped

3 tomatoes, chopped

½ cup Catalina Free salad dressing

2 cups corn chips (optional)

Directions:

Drain and rinse the beans. In a large bowl, combine the pinto beans, black beans, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Add ¾ bottle dressing and mix well. Add corn chips before serving.

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Calories 450; Fat 12g; Cholesterol 22mg; Carbohydrate 59.5g; Fiber 17g; Protein 26g

Recipe adapted from www.allrecipes.com.

by Heidi Diller, RDAlbertsons Nutritionist

ENERGY SAVING IDEAS: Your Older Fridge: An Energy Hog?

Here’s an idea many families can warm to: You may be able to save money and energy with a new refrigerator.

It’s chilling but true: If your refrigerator was manufactured before 1993, it could be using more than twice as much energy as a new energy-efficient model and be costing you over $100 a year to run.

On the energy bright side, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says that if all the refrigerators bought this year met the new ENERGY STAR® criteria, it would save enough energy to light all the homes in Washington, D.C. for over 20 months. In fact, the next generation of such refrigerators is so efficient that the average one uses less energy in a year than a 60-watt lightbulb left on all year.

To earn the designation, refrigerators are required to be 20 percent more efficient than the minimum federal standard.

Video Contest

To further encourage people to recycle their old fridges and to purchase qualified units, the DOE is leading the first nationwide refrigerator recycling initiative. The Recycle My Old Fridge campaign is a national call to recycle older, inefficient refrigerators and for consumers to tell their stories about recycling their older refrigerators and encourage others to do the same. Participants can submit one-minute videos between April 28 and July 28, 2008, which will be posted on YouTube™. The videos will be voted on at the campaign’s Web site, and up to three participants will be selected as winners and come to Washington, D.C., to participate in an awards ceremony.

Learn More

To learn more, visit www.energystar.gov and www.RecycleMyOldFridge.com. For more information on how to recycle your old refrigerator, visit the Steel Recycling Institute’s Web site, www.recycle-steel.org.

If you have an older refrigerator, it could be costing you over $100 a year to run.

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Tip Smart - Don't Give More Than You Have To!

Retail Secrets is careful about tipping too much or too little. But here is a smart way to tip. Never tip on tax.

Have you ever heard this suggestion? I would guess that 80% of all people calculate tips on a balance that includes local or state tax. Tipping on top of tax makes no sense. Who receives the tax? The state or local auhthorities. Neither the restaurant or the waitstaff see the tax - so why would you tip them on that?

When you go to a restaurant, look at the before tax balance and calculate your tip on that number. Most receipts provide the total before and after tax. Remember, the purpose of tipping is to tip for food or service. Don't give more money than you have to. In times of a down economy, we all need to tighten our belts a bit. Scrutinize your restaurant bill and other receipts to make sure you are not paying for something you didn't purchase.

Save on Gas - Plan Your Errands Carefully!

Now that gas is nearly $4.00 for regular - it is time to be smart about your car trips. I have been carefully planning every place I go in my car. Before you leave your home, you need to think about what you need and where you need to go to get it.

First, write out a list of what you need to purchase. Second, think about the closest shopping center you can go to that will have every thing you need. Strip malls usually have a wide selection of retail stores to shop at. Identify strip malls that have a grocery store, hardware, clothing, discounts, etc. Start shopping at locations where you need to make only one stop to get all that you need.

Shop at your nearest mall. Everyone may have a favorite mall but that mall may be further away than the closest. Figure out how you can get what you need from one location or two nearby areas. To further save on gas, order what you need online.

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