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When it comes to saving, we want to help
you stay on course!
Below are valuable tips and
links on saving for your future. You may be
surprised at how you're saving already! |
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Think "Healthy, Wealthy and Wise!" |
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Finances are tight for many of us
due to external economic forces and the last thing we need are
unexpected medical bills. The best way to deal with these
excessive medical costs is to avoid them if you can.
Keeping fit can help you survive the crunch.
The following are links to information that promote living healthier lifestyles,
ways to avoid debt from medical
expenses and ways to save more for the future.
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Staying Healthy During Tough Economic Times
is an article that
focuses on pursuing disease and expensive medical care with a
“pro-inflammatory lifestyle” when economic times are not so
good. Source: David Seaman's, MS, DC, DACBN
- Everyone loves the Food Network! Check out the
Healthy Eating section of foodnetwork.com.
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Not budgeting already? You can
start today! |
It's all about balance. Keeping a balanced budget is important
to maintain a sound financial situation. It gives
you control over your finances and allows you to decide what is
more and less important to you, not to mention when to start saving!
The following are links to information and
sites all about practical budgeting.
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What could be more helpful than a
Budgeting 101 site? Check out
persronalbudgeting.com to get started.
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Visit
Money Management Tips for tools you need to develop a
budget that reduces your debt, enables you to save money,
and puts you in control of your personal finances.
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Free budgeting worksheets and great
money-saving tips on hundreds of various topics at
betterbudgeting.com.
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Professional budget advice you can't
miss! Learn when to use cash, credit, or debit when
budgeting personal finances in this
free online video tutorial from eHow.com
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Like to shop? Here's how! |
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There are painless ways to save and we've put
the wheels in motion by
providing you with helpful tips. National Save for
Retirement Week is a perfect time think about ways
you can save better and save more. Start now by becoming a
smarter shopper. Here are some ways:
- Who says being frugal is out of style? See
The Frugal Shopper--it's sure to change your mind.
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iVillage.com offers good info for ways to save on food bills
and grocery store savers.
- Budget shopping - read tips for stretching your grocery store
dollars at
pillsbury.com.
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And we never forget our faithful
companions! If you're like most, you've probably
shopped online for pet products. Check out
How to Shop for Your Pet and other articles at
ehow.com |
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Chase away those credit/debt
blues! |
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Think about changing
gears during National Save for
Retirement Week. Take a good look at your credit situation and
see where you can make substantial changes.
By practicing controlled spending habits, you
can avoid drowning in a sea of unmanageable debt and growing
interest charges. Here are some tips and links to help you stay
on top of it all:
- Checking your credit report won't lower your score. Get your
free annual credit report at
annualcreditreport.com.
- Some good tips from Suze at
suzeorman.com
including how to manage your debt, what lower interest rates
mean, consolidating loans and more.
- Get your total money makeover with expert Dave
Ramsey. Read more
here.
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InCharge.org
is a non-profit organization that provides
credit counseling, debt management programs and alternatives to
debt consolidation—without a loan or bankruptcy.
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You can conserve and stay warm! |
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As direct consumers of energy we can conserve
in order to reduce energy costs and promote our own economic
security. It's a win win
and what better way to save than to go green! Does
lowering your electric bills, reducing greenhouse emissions, or
reusing your household items for other uses peak your interest?
Here are ways you can increase your savings
while saving the earth!
- Check out
efficiencymaine.com for information on appliance
rebates, electric monitors, CFL light bulbs and more.
- Information related to energy savings for automobiles,
appliances, heating/cooling, insulation, lighting and more
can be found at
energy.gov.
- Save money on your utility bills through energy
conservation. See
energyhawk.com for helpful tips.
- See
CMP's site for tips on energy conservation for lighting
and appliances.
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It's not too late to START! |
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The ride
doesn't end here! As you've read throughout the week, there are
lots of ways to save. We recognize that not everyone can save
all of the time but there are countless ways you can begin to
get yourself into a position where saving money is painless.
On our last day of National Save for
Retirement Week, we look to our first-rate deferred compensation
program: MaineSTART. While the MainePERS defined benefit pension
plans are the foundation for financial security in retirement,
most public employees will need to supplement their pension
benefits with retirement savings--a goal best achieved through a
systematic, tax-deferred plan like MaineSTART.
So START today! Begin by learning more at
MaineSTART.org. While we endorse this program, our intention
is to point you in the right direction to begin saving. The
following websites contain information that might help guide you
when making important financial decisions.
MaineSTART
360 Degrees of Financial Literacy
Choose to Save
National Endowment for Financial Education
Feed the Pig
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