Reduce Stress To Save More Money

There are countless ways that people try to be more financially prudent, spend less, and save more. They make detailed budgets and stop eating out at restaurants. They consult financial advisors and start putting more earnings towards investments. They seek out a Green Dot best prepaid debit card or simply just use cash in an effort to reduce impulse purchases. The strategies go on and on.

But few people try to reduce their stress levels as a means of achieving greater financial health.

Yes, stress. We all know that stress is an unfortunate side-effect of modern life, and all of us probably want to – and take steps to – reduce our stress levels whenever possible. But stress isn’t just something that impacts your health and well being; rather, it is an emotion that has a proven influence on your wallet and on your bank account.

Research conducted at Coventry University Business School and at Duke University found that happier people tend to save better invest smarter, and generally make prudent financial decisions. They are further more likely to exert self-control when it comes to spending and make choices that take their long-term financial future into account. In short, happy people are personal finance experts when compared with the general population.

And how can we become happier? Happiness is such an intrinsic quality – one that you either have or you don’t, one that you can either realize or cannot. But there are several ways that people can concertedly try to make themselves happier, stress reduction being foremost among them.

So perhaps this is a better question to ask: How can we reduce our stress levels? Most stress is work-related, so finding ways to switch up the daily routine can always be beneficial. One can rearrange their work schedule, try to take on different projects, plan weekend getaways, or make an effort to occasionally work from home. Of course, your ability to reduce your work stress varies considerably based upon the nature of your job.

Perhaps a more sure way to reduce stress is by exercising on a regular basis. Exercise has been shown to be an excellent stress-reducer because it breeds newer, “calmer” brain cells that give us a greater buffer against pressures and anxieties. Whenever stress builds up, then, go for a run. It might make you more relaxed and, ultimately, make you happier in the long run.

It all comes down to a matter of personal effectiveness. What makes you stressed? How can you target and minimize this pressure source? Asking these questions may just be an important first step towards improving your long-term finances.

Saving Money At The Grocery Store

When we look to save money and stay out of debt, most people look to long-term solutions or try to cut big-ticket expenses. They look to downgrade their home, seek out a higher-paying job, or try to figure out whether an individual retirement account should be part of a savings plan. They forgo vacations and cut back on car purchases and technology costs, among many other measures.

There is nothing wrong with taking a big-picture approach of this sort, but anyone looking to cut expenses and avoid debt is best served to also consider their spending on a daily basis. While the money we spend on the average day may not be much, the aggregate effect of this spending can add up quickly over time. This particularly applies to our food budgets. The FDA estimates that a family of four spends over $200 per week on food costs. Extrapolate that number over time and you’re looking at a pretty decent amount of money.

The FDA also estimates that a “thrifty” spending plan can reduce costs for that family by over $50 per month. This can translate into a savings of $600 per year. How can these savings be realized? Here are a few tips:

-Plan your meals beforehand- Many people go to the grocery store and buy those ingredients and food products that they think they need – not simply those that they actually require. You can avoid this mistake by planning out all your meals for a two-week period before going to the store. This way, you can insure that you buy only what you need and nothing more.

-Buy high-nutrition, low-cost foods- Not all foods are created alike. Some are low in nutritional value and high in price. Others are cheap yet full of healthy calories. It’s that second category that you want to target while planning meals and shopping for foods. Products such as rice, beans, eggs, pasta, and tuna are all great options here.

-Go vegetarian- There’s no question that a meat-heavy diet is more expensive than one that minimizes such purchases. Becoming a vegetarian, consequently, can help you eliminate some of the costliest food options that you otherwise would purchase.

-Purchase non-perishables in bulk- You can save considerably on non-perishable items by buying them in bulk and storing them in your basement or cellar until they are needed. Stores such as Sam’s Club and Costco are great places to stock up on canned foods, condiments, paper plates and utensils, napkins, and any other non-perishables that you may use.

Following these steps should hopefully help you start saving on your weekly grocery budget. While $50 may not seem like a huge amount, the benefits add up quickly and – in the long run – can greatly improve your budget and your bottom line.

Understanding ISA

ISAs are a popular type of savings account that is used by millions of people in the UK. However, if you have never had one before, you may not be entirely familiar with what ISAs are and what they do. Read on to find out more about understanding ISAs.

What are they?

‘ISA’ stands for individual savings account, and the aim of ISAs is to allow everyone to save a certain amount of money every year tax-free. This means that while you normally have to pay tax on the interest you earn on your savings with other types of savings account, this isn’t the case with an ISA.

What are the main types?

There are two main types of ISAs: the cash ISA and the investment ISA.

Cash ISAs allow you to save less than other types of ISA but all of the money you save in the account is guaranteed and you can access it whenever you need it, which makes these accounts very popular with a lot of people.

Investment ISAs commonly take the form of a stocks and shares ISA. This type of ISA allows you to save more money every year, which can be appealing for anyone looking to maximise their tax-free savings. Most shares ISAs are linked to the stock market – often carefully-selected FTSE 100 companies, but other high performing listed companies can also be chosen, such as those that have a good track record on the environment.

How much can you save?

There is an annual limit on ISAs, which changes every year so it is worth keeping an eye on this to make sure you are getting the most out of your ISA allowance. For the current tax year (2011/2012), you can save up to £5340 in a cash ISA.

For a share ISA, you can save up to £10680. There are two options related to investment ISAs in terms of how you save your money. One option is to save the total amount in the form of stocks and shares investments. Your other option is to save half in the form of shares and half as cash.

What are the risks?

It is important that you are aware that there are some risks attached to investment ISAs. This is because their performance is dependent on the market and so, while there is very good potential for you to receive very good dividends, your investment can also go down as well as up. However, if you look around for the best stocks and shares ISA, it should be well-managed and so risks should be kept to a minimum.

Also, it is advised that you plan to save in your stocks and shares ISA for the long term to give it the best possible chance of performing well. You could also consider a gilts and bonds ISA if you prefer, which has less of a risk attached but can still offer good returns.

Overall, make sure you do your research to make sure you choose the investment ISA you think would be best for your needs.