Frugalutions 2012

It’s a new dawn (well, 9:30 am, but whatever), it’s a new day, and I feel good!  Mostly good.  Okay, I still have a lingering head cold, but I’m on the mend, so close enough for government work.

Welcome to 2012 my peeps!  Have you made your resolutions?  Have you already broken them?

If you don’t have a resolution of your own, or if you’d like new, undamaged ones, try on these two for size.  They will hopefully help you live a more frugal and fabulous life in 2012 and beyond!  If nothing else, they’re food for thought…

Frugalutions for ’12

1.  Resolve to use your resources.  There are tons of programs and discounts available that can help you and your family live within your means.  But you have to know where to look.

How can you find the resources you need?  Use the three R’s – research, request and revisit.

            a.  Research.  After you’ve determined where you need to save money – for example, lowering the payment on your mortgage – research what options are available.  Don’t go into a situation assuming you know all the facts.  You’ve got to do your research to avoid the ass-u-me trap.

The best place to start any research project is online.  If you don’t have access to the Internet, use the best resource our state has; the local library.  Our libraries provide free Internet access.

TIP – if you are looking for government programs or non-profit organizations, use websites that end in either .gov or .org.  Dot com sites are for profit, and may cost you more money than they save you.

Another great source of information is your social network.  Ask friends, family, Linked In contacts, Facebook contacts, and people in online forums for tips on where to go for what you need.

            b.  Request.  You can only do so much online.  Eventually, you do need to talk to real people, and not just one person at one location.  Attack the issue from multiple angles.

For example, to lower your mortgage payment, you’ll want to talk to your bank, but you should also talk to a loan officer, and maybe a credit counselor.

            c.  Revisit.  If at first you don’t succeed, try again!  You’ve got to be persistent and find out all the existing options.

For example, if you are told you do not qualify to refinance your home loan, ask what other options exist.  Perhaps you need to improve your credit score in order to qualify.  Ask what you can do to bring that score up.  Or maybe there are short-term relief programs available from the state.  Or, perhaps the lender will accepts lower payments for awhile, until you can regain your financial footing.

2.  Resolve to toot your own horn.  It costs nothing to share your abilities and achievements, and it can garner you more than just accolades.  Telling the world about your worth can land you a job, a promotion, or a raise.  Here are a few ways to toot your own horn:

            a.  Prepare an elevator speech of what makes you special – what your skills are, what you bring to the table, what sets you apart.  That way, the next time someone asks you, “What do you do for a living?” you’ll have a better response than, “I’m unemployed.”  Be sure to practice your speech, too, so it sounds natural.

            b.  Pass out your card.  And, don’t just carry cards for the job you HAVE.  Make cards for the job you WANT.  For example, my Cheap Chick cards tell folks I’m also a public speaker.

TIP – Vista Prints.com has 250 premium business cards available for $10.

            c.  Update your resume.  Every time you add to your skill set – take a class, give a speech, write a presentation – make sure that new ability is reflected on your resume.  Even if you have a job, your resume should be ready to send out on a moment’s notice.

TIP – Make sure to upload your updated resume on professional networking sites like Linked In.

Remember, no one is going to sing your praises for you.  It’s up to you to show people what you can do.