Your DollarsDirect family knows that wealthy friends can pressure you into spending more money than you are comfortable with.  And that can be… uncomfortable. When you and your friends go out for an expensive dinner, you order something affordable, while your friends live it up. When the bill arrives, your wealthy friends want to split the check equally. So much for being responsible with your budget… Your DollarsDirect family members are familiar with this situation. Money can make or break relationships.  Read on for some advice on how to deal with the peer pressure of wealthy friends.

• Speak Up – My mother always said, “honesty is the best policy.” If you feel uncomfortable about spending so much money, tell your friends. Your friends will understand a simple explanation, like saving for a big purchase.
• No Score Boards – Did your friends pick up the tab for an expensive night out? Have them over for a nicely cooked dinner. There is no need to have a dollar for dollar score board with your friends. No matter the expense, your friends will appreciate the return gesture.
• “Thank You” – Your friends are your friends for a reason. If your wealthy friends want to pick up the tab, become comfortable with a simple “thank you.” Never feel guilty from an act of kindness.
• Move On – Get new friends. Simple.  Harsh.  And probably your last resort. You don’t need budget busting friends to dictate your life. Your money is tough enough to handle on its own. Your real friends should be accepting of your financial situation.

Your DollarsDirect family knows that having friends with different financial situations is part of life, we just need to learn how to deal with it. Your wealthy friends can also be a constant reminder to work harder, get that promotion, and earn more money. Remember, if you are in a pinch, DollarsDirect is always here to help you get fast cash with a short-term, online personal loan.

Photo: Flickr User

Your DollarsDirect family loves offering financial tips as much as we do short term, online personal loans.  Sometimes we do not have enough room to write about all our money saving tips.  Before we head into the weekend, we wanted to share some tips that never made it into a post of their own.  Check out the dollar saving deals that made it out of the trash can.

• Going out to eat? – Search the Internet for free coupons or discounted gift certificates.  As in most cases, a quick Google search about some of your favorite restaurants can result in big savings.
• Movie Nights – Most movie theaters have special pricing Monday thru Thursday. Save some money by catching a movie during these “off-peak” days.  The movie always seems a little better when you spend less money.
• Travel – Your DollarsDirect family loves to travel.  That means we have picked up a lot of money saving advice.  Book your flight on Tuesday or Wednesday when prices are historically the cheapest.  With the weekend rush over, and managers want to fill rooms, book your hotel on a Sunday night.  Lastly, travel with another family or group to get discount rates on flights, hotels, and transportation.
• Beach Bum – We love the beach, but not the outrageous prices.   Remember to stock up on food and drinks before leaving.  This way you will not be cornered by high prices when in need at the beach.
• Gas – Fuel up mid week when gas is historically cheaper. You can also try biking or public transportation!

If you have any more money saving tips to share, make sure to post them in the comment section.  We love hearing from our fans.  Remember, no matter how much money you save, life can throw you unexpected expenses.  Your DollarsDirect family is a click away with an online, short-term personal loan.

Photo: Flickr User

The word “free” is great on many levels, mainly because it means saving money.  Your DollarsDirect family loves the word “free.”  Today, we were discussing how “free” can make its way into our everyday lives, but only if you are “paying” attention (get it?).  The DollarsDirect team put together some “free offers” you should be taking advantage of.  We just ask that you don’t use all your “free” time reading them (get it? Okay, we’ll stop with the jokes).  Don’t worry, you can always get your “Free Hug” from us later.

• Books – There is no reason to pay for a book. Ever. Check out a book for free at your local library.  All the literature you will never need, and it’s all for free!
• Water – Why do so many people love to pay extra for bottled water? You know, the same water that comes out of the tap. Why pay for any more water besides your monthly water bill? Save some money and buy yourself a reusable aluminum water bottle.
• The News – You’re reading this blog post on the Internet.  That means you currently have access to thousands of news sites, locally, and world wide.  So why are you paying for a newspaper?  Cancel your delivery paper, and visit its online site.
• Shipping – We admit it, your DollarsDirect family members love to online shop.  However, there is no need to pay for shipping.  Search the Internet for coupons mentioning free shipping for the website you are buying from.  Who knows, you may find more discounts than just “free shipping!”
• Cell Phone – Most carriers will give you a free phone when signing a new contract. Ask around at your local carrier store, they should be able to point you in the right direction. There is no need to pay for a phone while paying your monthly cell phone bill!

Your DollarsDirect family would love to hear your own free tips.  Post them in the comments below. We know everything in life is not always free, and sometimes you need a short-term, online personal loan for  fast cash.  We look forward to helping.

Photo: Flickr User

Your DollarsDirect team is full of parents, young and old.  Being a parent is full of challenges, and the topic our DollarsDirect parents constantly discuss is how to teach their child the value of money.  The value of money should be taught at a young age, so we gathered some of our best tips to help out our DollarDirect readers.

• Allowable Allowance – I used to get three dollars a week for making my bed, doing the dishes, and taking out the trash.  I loved getting my weekly allowance, and my mother loved giving me work.  The value of an allowance should not matter.  The main idea is to teach your children how to use money when received from a source of income. Remember, their allowance should be tied to the work they actually preform. You want to instill a good work ethic along with their new sense of money and value.
• Save and Save Some More – How bad does your child want that new bike?  Use something they want as a lesson on saving.  Develop a budget with your child to teach them the value of saving at a young age.  Soon, “I want to save for a new bike,” will become, “I want to save for a new car.”
• Money Where Your Mouth Is – Your DollarsDirect parents all say how important it is to make money a household discussion at a young age, and continue throughout their lives.  Show your kids how to balance a checking account, teach them about savings accounts, and discuss credit cards.  The more you talk about money, the more they will understand and learn its value.

Watch your kids grow while their piggy bank turns into an online savings account.  Teach your children the basics at a young age.  Learning the value of money will be with them forever.  Remember, from money saving tips, to an online, short-term personal loan, your DollarsDirect family is always looking out for you.

Photo: Flickr User

One of our DollarsDirect members recently cut his cell phone plan and has been saving a lot of money each month.  We were surprised at how many of our teammates are making small sacrifices to save a lot of money. Here are some of our favorites:

• Lose Weight, Lose the Gym, Save Money:  You do not have to go to a gym to work out.  Save the monthly gym expense and work out at home.  Purchase free weights at a local sporting goods store, or even better, buy used equipment on the web.
• No Land Line:  The land line is becoming as extinct as the telephone booth.   Odds are you are paying money for something you do not use.  Use your cell phone, lose the land line.
• Sell It:  We all own things we do not use anymore, or never used.  Even your DollarsDirect team admits it! These personal belongings can sit around for a lifetime, or are thrown out.  My mother always said, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  Post your items on the web, someone is willing to put money in your pocket!
• Cancel Cable:  This was a tough one for a couple of your DollarsDirect friends to handle.   Before you cancel everything, decide what shows and channels you watch, then try to find them online.  You’ll realize that most, if not all, can be watched on the Internet.  Why pay for cable when the Internet is doing the work?

Your DollarsDirect family knows the little expenses can add up.  Try out some of the tips above, or better yet, send us suggestions of your own.  We would love to hear them.  Also, if you are ever in need of help with those “little” expenses, we are here to help when you cash fast with a short-term, online personal loan.

Photo: Flickr User

Your DollarsDirect family love our pets as much as we love giving out online payday loans. We even let some pets come into the office.  Every one knows that their pet can be a big, but loving, expense in life.  In order to try and save money, some team members put together some of our favorite money saving animal care tips.  We have a feeling you won’t “bark” at the advice below.

• A Proud Pet Store Member – Become a member of your local pet store and enjoy savings sent to you by postal mail, or email.  Make sure to check your email, as some stores send out advance sale promotions and reminders.
• Super Stores – Shop the super stores with your super pet.  Just like with our fancy human big box stores, anything can be bought in bulk.  Stock up on food, toys, and comforts for your best friend while saving money.
• The Internet  – Favorite the webpage of your pet’s favorite food as most companies have promotions right on their website.  Also, other large pet websites can offer daily discounts on medications, food, or grooming.
• Back to School – Take you pet to a veterinary clinic instead of a veterinarian for minor surgeries, vaccinations, and dental care.  Most veterinary clinics can save you up to half the cost of your normal veterinarian bill.

Your DollarsDirect family loves our pets, just like you.  Today, we wanted to share some money saving tips to help you and your other best friend.  We are in the business of helping you through stressful financial times with online, short-term, personal loans.  Your DollarsDirect family is always here to offer financial tips or a cash advance when you need it.

Photo: Flickr User

Be warned, your DollarsDirect team had a lot of fun with this post.  Some of us were asked about the wildest money saving tips we have ever used.  There was plenty of laughter to go around at the “expense” of saving money.  Check out our top three wild money saving tips, and the stories behind them.

• Do Not Shower Every Day – It’s as simple as it sounds.  Save money on your water bill while making your bathroom products last longer.  Your DollarsDirect team member, Adam, went three weeks without showering regularly.  When asked for comment, he said his water bill was “significantly lower, but I would rather not try it again.”
• Stop Shaving – This suggestion is as “hairy” as it sounds.  Our team member Evan has not shaved in nine months (don’t worry, he’s in a band).  Evan said that not shaving has saved him “over $250 so far… My beard is thick, so I was always buying razors and shaving cream…  Plus, my wife likes it.  Everyone is happy.”
• Live Without Heat or Airconditioning – Our DollarsDirect team member Anne, uncomfortably, tried this for a full year while saving money for a house.  ”It was a very tough year, but I had a savings goal in mind.  The money I saved each month gave me the motivation to keep going.”  If you can through it out like Anne, your growing bank account will keep you comfortable.

Although these stories were fun to share (and write about), it shows how people are willing to save money in extreme ways.  Unfortunately, no matter how much we save, life can always throw you an unwanted expense.  As you can see from above, your DollarsDirect family knows how this feels.  We are always here to help with an online, short-term payday loan, when you need cash fast.  We can help you get started, right here.

Photo: Flickr User

“It is better to give, than receive.”  This phase has been spoken to us at least once in our lifetime.  Recently, some of the world’s billionaires are taking this phrase to heart by pledging upwards of more than half their wealth through a program called The Giving Pledge.  In these rough economic times, the world is pulling closer together.  Mint.com has provided an excellent “infographic” to put this worldwide charitable donation into perspective.  Click on the picture below for a larger view.

Notes of interest:

• Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett started the Giving Pledge in June of 2010.
• The Giving Pledge is estimated to grow to $600 billion (US Dollars).
• Most Impressive Stat (voted on by the DollarsDirect family): With a 9 billion (US) dollar pledge, Michael Bloomberg could supply 3 million homes with energy by windturbine, for 20 years.

Budget Plannerfrom Mint.com

One of your DollarsDirect team members overspent at the market this weekend.  How did a quick trip to the store for cereal and milk cost fifty dollars?  We won’t tell you who, but he may be writing this very post to remind himself, and others, the top reasons we overspend.

• Paper or Plastic? – According to the post “8 Top Reasons You Overspend,” consumer spending rises when paying with a credit card.  “Credit cards allow consumers to focus more on what they’re getting, or buying, than what they’re losing, or spending,” Kit Yarrow, a professor of psychology and marketing at Golden Gate University.

• Music – Paula Peter, an assistant professor of marketing and consumer behavior at San Diego State University says, “Being overwhelmed by music interferes with our ability to think clearly, which can lead to spending more money.”

• Tracking Exact Costs – According to new research, people that overanalyze their budget can overspend by as much as 19%.  ”Shoppers consistently underestimate the total price of shopping baskets, which puts them at risk for spending more than they budgeted.”

• Dieting – New diet? You can actually be hurting your wallet.  Sometimes, dieting can cause weak will power, and overspending.    Kathleen Vohs, a marketing professor at the University of Minnesota says that when on a diet, “people are less able to restrain their impulses, so whatever they are tempted to do — like spend on needless trinkets — will emerge.”

No one is perfect; we all overspend at some point.  Your DollarsDirect team members can relate, and can always help.

Your DollarsDirect family was feeling a little lazy today, and that got us thinking… Can you really put a price tag on laziness?  What are some lazy habits that can cost us a lot of money in the long run?

1)   Retirement – It’s never too early to start saving.  Each day you put off saving is money and interest you will never get back.

2)   Rebates – Filling out and mailing a rebate may cost you five minutes of your life, but will save you a lot of money.  If you don’t mail that rebate, you actually end up paying MORE for the item.

3)   Negotiate – Always ask for a lower price.  Items can always be negotiated, and extra items or perks can be added.  At the very least, your clerk will say “no” and you will be the item at its intended price!

These were just our favorite reasons for the price of laziness.  For a couple more reasons, head on over to savingsguide.com.au.  Remember, your DollarsDirect short-term loan family is always here to help you out.  Now, do YOU have any tips for us?

Photo: Flickr User