Filed under: Money
Throughout the recession we have continually been warned to be creative with our money. However, it is doubtful that the financial experts issuing such warnings had the following in mind when they recommended creativity! Some people appear to have taken creativity to the extreme by differing origami shapes from bank notes take a look at the 10 best money origami produced so far.
10. Fish
Could these fish possibly be the most expensive around?
9. Toilet
Talk about flushing money down the toilet! All that’s needed now is toilet roll made of money to complete the look.
8. Camera
This camera certainly looks expensive but does this latest gadget have the quality credentials to match?
7. Elephant
This is fantastic; the creator has even managed to give the elephant an eye and tusks!
6. Shirt
Is this going to be the next big fashion trend amongst men in the office?
5. Snail
Who knew that you could make a snail out of bank notes?
4. Hang Glider
This is very inventive and with the level of detail in this particular origami it is likely that a lot of time and effort went into this one.
3. Flower
A flower made of money, which woman wouldn’t be happy to receive a bouquet made up of such flowers this Valentines Day?
2. Queen Elizabeth’s Hat
The Queen adds a new hat to her already really rather extensive collection.
1. Spider
Most people are scared of creepy crawlies but it’s doubtful that people would shy away from this spider.
Which one’s your favourite? Let us know with a comment below!
January 29, 2010
It really depends on your situation. If you are still in an early and fledgling relationship then I think that you shouldn’t have to share your debt problems with your partner. It is more about diverting the actual truth rather than lying.
If you’re in a long lasting relationship then couples should share debt problems and should not lie to each other about their problems. This is what I do, and I find that a problem halved is a problem solved. I often share my financial problems with my mother who is also willing to lend a helping hand whenever I need it.
My sister has suffered from debt in the past, and did not share it with her husband for a long time. He was unaware that she had huge debts on her credit card. Eventually it all came out, and they divorced suddenly. She is now financially solvent and has no more debt problems.
December 23, 2009
The first step is to notice that you have a problem so well down you have completed the first step and hopefully the only way is up! It will take a lot or determination and maybe even some sacrifices however it will be worth it in the end. The second step would be to stop spending. Of course there are always the essentials you need to buy but could you cut down on luxury products and nights out etc. Also it does help to cut the cards up; it means the temptation has been removed.
There are many things that you can do to get you started.
- How about looking at the interest rates on credit cards. Is it possible to switch these over to something that is 0% and stop you wasting money on just paying off the interest which can take years to clear off the balance?
- Earning more money is also a good way to chuck some extra money at the debts to get them paid off quicker. How about extra shifts, a second job or even selling unwanted items on the internet. It can be hard work but remember your aim – to be debt free. It can help setting yourself a goal and give yourself something to work towards.
- Something that is definitely worthwhile doing is drawing up a list of all your incomes and out goings. This way you can pin point areas which may need a bit of work and help to save any money which you can throw at the debt. A budget for food etc can stop any wastage. Also it is a good idea to work out which debts need the most attention, these are usually the ones with the high interest.
December 16, 2009
Credit cards are a tricky subject. I don’t want to encourage anyone to spend dangerously on their credit cards or to spend above their means, but I also think it’s good to discuss how to use a credit card in a smart way to actually help control your finances.
First of all avoid the worst way to use your credit card – long term borrowing. If you need a loan it will almost always be cheaper to get it from a bank, especially if you are a home owner. Another method you could consider is your overdraft facility. A friend of mine has a particularly good deal with his bank that works out for him cheaper than a credit card for those small purchases. He finds the charges smaller for his spending needs.
But, assuming you won’t borrow any money for longer than a month or so, there are a lot of benefits to having a credit card. Indeed some goods and services, such as hire cars, are very hard to get without one.
This is because of the extra insurance and guarantees that your card provider gives you. Using your credit card for an expensive purchase can be worth it – I know someone who got £100 back after he broke a new camera. Even though he admitted he was at fault he was still partially covered. It is worth finding out what you are entitled to from your card.
Many credit cards also offer cashback or bonus schemes. So long as you use them for spending you would be doing anyway this can be a great saving – sometimes as much as 3% or 4%!
Basically credit cards can be great products if used right. Credit cards should never be used for credit! Use credit cards the smart way.
November 19, 2009
It is so easy to get into debt, but not as easy to get out of it. The best solution is of course never getting into debt in the first place. Here’s my advice on how to scrape those pennies together if money’s a bit tight to avoid the debt cycle.
The first thing you need to do is set a realistic household budget. List all things you have to spend money on i.e. Gas – Electric, mortgage, then list all the things you want to spend money on. The goal is to separate between ‘Need’ and ‘Want’ for example you ‘need’ to eat or you ‘want’ that new CD. I would also thoroughly recommend using an online money management program to track your spending and help you get a bigger picture of your finances. Read my post on Kublax if you’d like more information.
The idea is to look at you outgoings and see where you can make cut backs, set yourself a shopping budget for food. Some examples of how to save money on groceries and household bills are as follows:
1. Ask your supermarket what time they mark down there products, and purchase these when they are cheaper. Most things can be frozen to restore the sell by date.
2. Grow your own vegetables and fruit allot cheaper than buying.
3. Use price comparisons sites to check you are not paying to much for your gas – electric or mortgage.
4. Check with your energy supplier to see if you have an economy setting, do you washing etc in the evening as it is cheaper.
5. Take a shower instead of a bath, its cheaper.
6. Do you really need the heating on? Can you just put on another layer of clothing?
7. Hang clothes to dry on a rainy day indoors over the bath or use a clothes airer, it’s cheaper than the tumble dryer or radiators.
8. Use natural products for cleaning its cheaper and better for your health!! eg. Vinegar for cleaning windows.
Overall just think about ways to do things on the cheap. Research is rewarding and you will be saving money and getting out of debt. I’m always reading brilliant blogs on frugality such as Almost Frugal.
As my wise mother told me as a kid – If you look after the pennies, the pounds will loook after themselves.
November 6, 2009
Are your money management skills effected by your upbringing? As with anything, the best way to learn — for people of any age — is through hands-on experience; I believe the best way for kids to learn how to manage their own money is by letting them taking control of it.
This doesn’t necessarily mean giving your child the rights to their university fund before they are ready, or even letting them take money when they want – as this would no doubt start a bad habit that is very likely to lead them into debt. Instead a good idea would be to set up a child account with a bank such as Nationwide or HSBC that gives the child a card to use with their account (a debit card, of course) with a monthly limit on how much they spend. This way they can see their savings grow over time – if they choose to save that is. Pocket money can even be added to this account monthly by standing order straight from your account.
As for schools, It is my personal opinion that ‘citizenship’ and the such should be kept out of schools as it interferes with the teaching of traditional subjects. However an introduction to Economics for children to young to study it may help the country out of the financial grave it is digging in future generations.
If you’ve got an opinion about ways to teach kids to save, let MoneyStand know. From my experience, frugality, managing money and money saving is something valuable to learn as a child, and I’d love to hear your thoughts!
November 1, 2009
If you have debt problems and the January blues are getting you down and need to get it you need to pick up the phone and call a debt management service provider, but before you do, that make sure you the debt solution team you pick is right for you and offers a good service with no loopholes of hidden articles.
Choose a reputable company
Many debt management services are being offered over the web but don’t just select on gut instinct, try to do a simple background check on the service provider. You want to be with the people who will genuinely help. The company should employ experts and the debt management service should be more one on one counseling than anything else. You should be dealing with a real expert rather than somebody who just poses to be one. In order for you to be guided accordingly, you have to be with the best people.
Questions to ask
The company should have a good track record and you should ask each company lots of questions before a decision is made:
1. How many people are actually helped by the company?
2. Are its clients satisfied with the service they got?
3. Are the services effective?
4. What does this service cost?
5. Will I be able to get debt free?
These are questions that you need to find the answers to before you commit to a specific debt management service.
A personalized service is key to getting the best out of the debt advice that will be received. You have to make sure that the debt management service provider looks deeper into your personal needs and requirements and not just leave you out in the cold with a big fat fee for them doing nothing.
Choosing a debt management service provider that will effectively take you towards debt-free living requires that both you and they share the same goals of you being debt free for life. These are the things that you should consider when selecting a debt management service provider. Remember, your chance to be free of debts is in their hands. Both of you should be helping each other.
January 8, 2009
