Tinker Buck the Norm - Financial Empowerment

I went on vacation and all I got was my house broken into and my stuff stolen!

2010-02-23T05:00:00Z

I love you Facebook/Twitter/Google Buzz, I really do. You give me a reason to be important…well to the 10 people that added me or follow me. I mean you’re fun to post pictures and make believe that I can one day become a real farmer if I can just get enough virtual seeds but lately you have not been that awesome.

Buzz, you went and told people that I have a social page and then automatically added them!

Facebook, if you change one more layout on me and add me to Google searches ever again…POW straight to the kisser!

Oh, Twitter, I got a beef with you too! I hear there is a website that tracks if I say I am on vacation so people can break into my house! Seriously!?

As always in my dad voice “You control what you want out there on the interwebz, so make sure it’s something you want the world to see!”

So since you wanted to play dirty I had to play even dirtier.

Since Google Buzz is new I will start with it first, here is how you can change the privacy settings:

You can change your privacy settings by visiting your Google Profile and clicking “Edit Profile” in the top right-hand corner. At the top of the “About Me” tab you’ll find an option reading: “Display the list of people I’m following and people following me.” Un-check the box next to it in order to hide those lists from public view. At the bottom of the same tab you’ll find the option to change your profile URL to (what we hope is) a random number.   If you want to opt out of Buzz entirely, scroll down to the bottom of your Gmail page, and click on the tiny “turn off Buzz” link.

For Facebook:

The New York Times posted a great article on changing your setting on Facebook it can be found here.

For Twitter:

On Twitter it really depends if you have a feature on your phone (twitter client i.e. twitterifc, twit pro, and any other third party apps that associate with twitter). What you want to do is find the settings in those apps and cut off the geo-tagging option. The geo tagging is where someone can locate you, which is great if you are at a restaurant you want everyone to come to but bad if you are at home and send it out.

Also on all of these make sure you don’t have your address or phone numbers listed and I know you want to brag about being on vacation but you may just want to keep it a secret till you come back from the trip.

Do you have tips on how to keep your profiles safe? Let me know in the comments section.

Save Money with Your Honey

2010-02-08T05:00:00Z

Just when you thought the gift-giving season was over, it’s already February and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. According to MSN Money, Americans are expected to spend $14.7 billion on V-Day festivities!

Is that really the cost of love? Here are some great tips that will help you express your love without breaking the bank:

1. Eat in: Leaving the house and going to a restaurant is easy. Planning and cooking a home-cooked meal will show your significant other how much effort you put into this year’s Valentine’s Day. This way, you will actually be able to spend time with each other, instead of a waiter and several other couples.

2. Don’t send flowers: Honestly, they’re expensive (especially this time of year) and they die. However, if flowers are necessary, order them online where it will be much easier to compare prices. You can even choose your own flowers at the florist and deliver them yourself.

3. Think small, but tasteful: What would you rather have— a bunch of day-old grocery store flowers or a few fresh flowers? A few, delectable pieces of Godiva chocolate or a whole bag o’ Hershey’s? You get the picture.

4. Instead of gifts, you could both save for a trip together. Spend the evening planning your weekend getaway. You’ll have something to look forward to in the future and you will still spend quality time together.

Most of all, your loved ones will just appreciate you having a plan, no matter what it is. You can get more great ideas here. What are your thoughts to save money on Valentine’s Day?

New Year, New Savings

2009-12-28T05:00:00Z

So the New Year is upon us once again. Time to forget the old and say hello to the new, time to revaluate one’s own path and make the necessary changes needed. You always hear people making resolutions to quit smoking, lose weight, get organized and enjoy life more. While those are great goals, one in particular should be on top of that list…let’s all say it together GET OUT OF DEBT!!!!

As funny as it may sound, getting out of debt will help you with your other resolutions this year and vise versa. If you quit smoking and took all the money you would have spent on buying a pack a day, and set up your checking account to take out $4 a day and put it into your savings account you could save about $120 a month which would turn into $1440 by years end!

If you’re wanting to get into better physical shape and save some cash, obviously you could cut the fat (Ha! See what I did there?) by not eating out everyday. At the grocery store you could use coupons and take advantage of the store deals. Also, you could buy healthy foods in bulk from stores like Sam’s and Costco. Besides getting a gym membership you could take advantage of walking or running at parks, looking online for free workout videos/planners and learn workouts that don’t need equipment.

Getting organized can also save you money. As you start to go through everything and notice stuff you have not used in forever think about having a garage sale, donating items for a tax deduction, or posting items to eBay or craigslist. The key is to take the money earned there and put it into savings or paying off debt.

Last but not least you can enjoy life more because you now know that you are saving money and making steps to a better you. So what are some of the tips or what are you doing to get a fresh start in the New Year?

“Did, umm... did Caesar live here?”

2009-12-21T05:00:00Z

In celebration of The Hangover being released on DVD last week I’ll be posting the final installment of my series on buying your first house. I’m going to cover the home inspection, homeowners insurance and the closing. Don’t worry. I’ll be quick.

I went out and picked up a copy of the movie and have watched it roughly eighteen times since Tuesday. Still as good as I remember and while all the characters are great in it, Alan carries that movie.

This quote doesn’t really have anything to do with the three topics I’m going to discuss. I just think it’s a hilarious line and I only have so many lines to choose from that would be appropriate for this post.

These final three steps were fairly painless for me. My real estate agent set up the home inspection and there were very few things that needed repair on the house. There was part of the foundation that needed to be fixed but if you live in Oklahoma that is very common. The sellers made the required repairs and we were ready to move on to the closing.

In the meantime, I contacted a local insurance agent and got my homeowners insurance taken care of. Sometimes if you use the same insurance company for both your home and car you can save some cash. It’s definitely worth checking into. All I really had to do was go by his office and sign some papers. Not too bad at all.

Finally, the day came to close on the house. I met my real estate agent at the mortgage company and signed my name roughly 27,000 times. I kid but seriously, it was a lot. They handed me the keys to my new house and I was officially a homeowner. For more information all this stuff go here.

I have to admit, it was pretty sweet. The next day I started to paint, tear out old carpet and move in some of my stuff. I’ve been in my house a couple months now and I love it. A good friend is my roommate, I’ve got a nice backyard and I have friends over all the time to hang out. It’s great. If you’re in a position that you’re able to buy your first house I would highly recommend. I would also highly recommend watching The Hangover. I mean, that is, if you like to laugh…a lot. If you don’t there’s probably something wrong with you. Happy holidays everyone!

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-12-14T05:00:00Z

Date? Check. Venue? Check. Dress? Check. Everything else? Piece of (wedding) cake.

1. Stationery: This includes invitations, RSVP cards, escort cards, programs, place cards, menu, etc. Have a printer at home? It’s a very easy DIY project; just make sure you buy a little extra if there are mistakes. No printer? Take them to a local print shop (i.e. FedEx Kinkos) and have them print them for you. I purchased my invitations from Hobby Lobby at half price—I also took them to FedEx Kinkos to get them printed for 9 cents each. Don’t forget the stamps!

2. Flowers: This cost can easily be in the thousands if you choose to go through the florist. If you do, choose flowers that are in season to curb some of the cost. However, it’s also another DIY project. First option: you can purchase the flowers wholesale (i.e., Sams) and arrange them the day before. Option two: fake flowers. Hobby Lobby offers beautiful floral pieces/arrangements (often at half price) and no one will know the difference! Don’t know how to put a bouquet together? Ask a florist to do it—it’s still much cheaper than going with real flowers. Both of these alternatives could also work for the centerpieces.

3. Food/Cake: No wedding is complete without food and cake! Yet instead of a sit-down dinner, try to offer heavy hors d’oeuvres or a buffet style dinner. With the cake, ask a relative that is handy with baking to give it a try. Sam’s also offers bridal/groom cakes at a low cost.

4. DJ: One word—iTunes. This is a fun way to customize the music for your wedding (no “Hokey Pokey,” please) that will save you hundreds. Have a friend keep an eye on the music to change it accordingly.

5. Photography: The cost of photography is astronomical (averaging $1,500 – $5,000); however, this is one of the most important costs because photos are what you keep forever, so make your decision wisely. You can always have a family member/friend take the pictures and it will be immediately available to you. Another option is to hire an amateur photographer. Generally, there is less cost involved for a lot more.

6. Favors: DIY, DIY, DIY. Need I say more? Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, and Michaels offer a wide selection of fun favors that will save you money. If you still want personalized favors with out the brunt of the cost, many of the favor packages provide tags that you can print at home, or you can order personalized ribbons instead of getting the favor personalized itself.

These and other tips are offered at The Knot or Modern Brides. In the midst of all the planning and budgeting in preparation for your day, don’t forget to have fun!

Cute, Red and Fully Loaded

2009-12-09T05:00:00Z

I drove my small SUV for three and half years and the car had been in my family for four. I was racking up miles, I needed new tires and well, I was ready for my first big purchase: a shiny, new car.

I researched my options for months. Buying new has many benefits. You can personalize it, it is a guarantee that it works well and you are the first and only owner. However, buying new was a little out of my price range. So, I broadened my options. I discovered that “barely used” had its benefits and it fit better in my budget.

I found what I wanted quickly, a 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe…cute, red and fully loaded. It was amazing to discover the difference in the prices from a brand new one to a barely used. This barely used car only had 16,000 miles on it and was in excellent condition. Sure, I could have had a 2010, but to stay in my price range it wouldn’t have included the sun roof, leather seats, Bose stereo system, and (my favorite feature this time of year) the bun warmers, etc. I am beyond satisfied with my new purchase and my wallet is satisfied as well!

Do you have any tips to save money on buying a new or barely used car?

It’s the Most Spendiest Time of the Year

2009-11-30T05:00:00Z

Ah yes, as most of you read this you’ll probably be spending a ton of money on holiday shopping and you don’t even get to spend it on yourself! Okay some of you will probably buy yourself something too. I mean why not? You are still giving, right? But how can one avoid not going into total debt, yet still be in that holiday spirit of giving?

1. Make a list and check it twice:

It’s great to want to give presents, but to give presents to everyone you know can be expensive. Keep a list of close family members and friends that you really want to give a gift to and leave it at that. I really don’t think your 2nd cousin’s boyfriend/girlfriend will be that upset because he/she did not make the list. Plus you will save on gift paper, shipping, etc.

2. Set a budget and stick with it like a tongue on a frozen pole:

Most financial institutions will allow you to have more than one savings account, some of the cool ones will even let name the account (mine is called the Bah Humbug account). Establish how much you are willing to spend and how much on each person and let that be it. And if you have money left over reward yourself with some fruit cake. Mmmm fruit cake.

3. Be the baker that catches the gingerbread man:

Start shopping today, or even for next year. My mother is the queen of buying me winter clothes that go on sale in the spring; she will let them sit in shopping bags until it’s time to wrap them up. You can do this with a lot of stuff be it home appliances/cook ware to even car accessories. Just cause you bought it last year for cheap doesn’t mean the person you give it to will know…unless you keep the tags on it.

4. Gift cards could be the best gift of all:

I personally love the little envelopes under the tree. It could only mean two things…money or gift card. Someone saved themselves the headache of trying to figure out what is the best gift for me and just opted for the gift card. Then I purchase the items that I always wanted…MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME! The good thing about gift cards is that they can’t be taxed and they are small enough just to throw in a purse or a small bag. No need to lug around hundreds of sacks. Also it is a great way to have a true figure amount on your budget.

5. Get into the holiday spirit and give up your time:

So, you got a friend that is hosting the biggest, largest mega holiday party in the world. Give up your time and energy and help them serve and clean up at the party. You’ll even get a great meal out of the deal.

6. Don’t use you credit card or Santa will put you on his naughty list:

This one is simple: if you don’t have the money to buy your lil’ bro a Xbox 360, then don’t. I bet he will be just as happy with that G.I. Joe with the kung-fu grip. You may feel great about yourself after you were able to get everyone what they wanted because you charged it. Well, I guarantee that feeling will change in January when you get that credit card statement showing all those costs. Here is a tip if you must get your lil’ bro a Xbox 360. How about getting a second job to do it? Plus, you can always yell at him about all the hours it took for you to pay for that thing, when he claims he is bored.

Okay, so those are just some of the tips how to avoid the winter blues when shopping this holiday season. Tell me what are some of the things you do to save money during the holiday shopping season?

P.S. Santa, if you are reading this I wear a size 14 shoe and would love some new Chucks and new Apple products. You know, just in case you are wondering what to give to your favorite Buck the Norm correspondent.

Happy Holidays!

“Would you please put some pants on? I feel weird having to ask you twice.”

2009-11-25T05:00:00Z

Another subtle but great line in The Hangover from Phil to Alan as Alan wanders through the suite in his underpants. That’s a pretty reasonable request to ask of your boy. How good are you at dealing with people and negotiations?

Let’s say you’ve found the house that fits you. What are the sellers asking for the house? More than likely there’s room for negotiation. A lot can factor in making an offer and there is plenty of really good of information here.

Once I knew I had found the house I wanted it was time to make an offer. I was fortunate enough to have some information that gave me an advantage in the negotiation process. We made an offer based off that information and the seller counter-offered. I ended up countering their counter and they agreed. We had ourselves a deal. Next up: home inspection.

Say Yes to the Dress!

2009-11-19T05:00:00Z

The all-important dress. Some brides go just a little bit crazy when it comes to wedding dresses. And if you’ve ever watched “Say Yes to the Dress,” the average budget for the wedding gown is $5,000 – $7,000. That alone was enough to make me want to elope to Vegas and get it over with.

When I recently purchased my dress, I had to think outside the box. Remember my Vera Wang ball gown with all the trimmings? Well it’s definitely not Vera Wang. I bought it at David’s Bridal. It’s still absolutely beautiful, abundant with enough lace and tulle I could drown in—topped off with a chapel train. I love it! It was something romantic yet realistic, and only a fraction of the cost.

You don’t have to sacrifice the dress of your dreams to stay within your budget. Major wedding retailers like David’s and Alfred Angelo often have sales in the off-season. If you have heart set on local boutique, keep your eyes peeled for sample dress sales that could save you up to 80% (woohoo!). Remember to start early, and it never hurts to ask questions! You don’t know what sales you might catch. The Knot offers some other tips to save on your gown.

So if you find a beautiful dress without busting your budget, you can even say yes to the accessories, flowers, food, cake, invitations, favors, and decorations, which will be covered in the next article.

Keep Your Eyes Open to Find Good Deals

2009-11-12T05:00:00Z

I’m into designer jeans. Maybe the word “into” is an understatement. If it was up to me, my whole closet would be full of them! However, I frequently run into one tiny problem: collecting designer jeans on a college student’s budget becomes a little tricky. Just the idea of buying them makes me excited and a little anxious all at the same time!

As a nearly professional shopper (I really should be certified by now!), I have found a way to add to my collection of pricey jeans and save some cash. Normally I head straight to the malls or to the top retail stores to buy my new pair of jeans, but I have found that there is a cheaper alternative.

You know those second hand retail stores that use the phrase “Gently Used?” Well often times the clothes still have the tag on them, making them “Never Used!” On top of that the entire store is filled with the top brands that usually 80% off the original price!

Another great thing about these stores is that will buy the clothes you don’t want anymore! So I can bring in some old clothes and get paid while I shop! Why hello, paradise! If you have an eye for what is good, you could actually end up with a great deal!

Do you have any tips to help a shopper save some money?

“Two beds is enough, we can share for a night. I'll bunk with Phil. That cool with you?”

2009-11-05T05:00:00Z

A great exchange between Alan and Phil The Hangover where we get the first indication that Alan really looks up to Phil. Of course Phil says no. Hilarious. Whatever your sleeping arrangements are you have to be comfortable. That’s especially important when it comes to figuring out what type of house you want.

Do you want the standard 3 bedrooms, 2 baths? Does it have to have a pool? Do you need a big yard for your Rottweiler? You also need to consider where the home is located. Is it a good neighborhood? Is it close to work? There’s a lot to think about. Go here for more information about what to look for when you’re looking for your house.

My real estate agent sent me a bunch of listings in the two areas of town that I would be cool living in. I also did some research on my own. I had an idea of what I wanted. Nothing over the top but I needed it be basically move-in ready. There’s a common theme that I’ve experienced throughout this process: I’ve been very lucky.

Of all the listings I looked at I liked five out of the whole bunch. One in particular caught my eye and my realtor and I went to take a look. I liked the house immediately. It was in the perfect area, it was in my price range and it was basically move-in ready. Done and done. I decided to make an offer on the house. This was really happening. Next up: making an offer.

The Credit Card Empire Strikes Back!

2009-11-02T05:00:00Z

Many of you may have heard about all the wonderful changes in credit card policies that were signed into law earlier this year. The first part of the law, which took effect in August, requires banks to give customers more notice ahead of major changes to their accounts, like rate hikes.

Starting in February, limits will be imposed when issuers can raise rates on existing card balances, and on new cards. In August 2010 some credit card penalty fees will be reined in. These changes were put in place so that the credit card companies would not be able to take unfair advantage of their consumers.

This was a great thing; finally the little man would have a chance, well that was until the credit card companies found a way around the new policies. They are using some dirty tactics so that they can continue to get huge profits off of us so be careful and always read the fine print.

Here are the top five things credit card companies are doing to hit you hard according to a recent yahoo article found here.

As always we would love to hear what you think about this and if you have seen any of the recent changes to your credit card. So please leave a comment.

“You guys might not know this, but I consider myself a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolf pack.”

2009-10-26T04:00:00Z

This scene is one of my favorite parts of the movie. The guys are on the roof of Caesar’s Palace, ready to hit the town, and Alan has a speech prepared. Perfect.

I quickly learned there are two different schools of thought when it comes to real estate agents. The first is: hire one immediately, it will be the best thing you ever do! The second is: don’t trust ‘em, don’t need ‘em.

For me, it was my first rodeo and I felt a lot more comfortable having someone that I trusted helping me through the process. This wasn’t a time to go at it alone. It was important that I added another wolf to my wolf pack to make sure everything went smoothly.

The two traits I looked for when choosing a realtor were trust and experience. Having someone on your side that knows what’s up will give you a huge advantage in finding the house you’re looking for. Here are some helpful tips when you’re looking for a real estate agent.

Again, I was very lucky because I’m using a real estate agent that a couple of friends used when they bought houses. They recommended that I meet with her to see if we could work together. We met, hit it off and my wolf pack? It grew by one.

Savin’ for a Weddin’

2009-10-19T04:00:00Z

Ah, weddings. When I was younger, I dreamed of frothy lace, cathedral trains, and flowers imported from some exotic island. I imagined floating down the aisle in a Vera Wang princess ball gown and glimpsing my husband-to-be through my silk veil. After the ceremony, we would join our guests in enjoying a sumptuous seven-course meal and a gorgeous four-tier cake. Finally, we would ride off in the sunset, embarking on our European cruise honeymoon.

Fast forward. Now that I’m really planning a wedding, I’ve become acquainted with the cruel reality of wedding costs. According to a LA Times article, the reported average cost of a wedding is about $20,000. However, that number has actually dropped from almost $29,000 in 2007. Brides everywhere are feeling the brunt of the declining economy, and opting for more cost-effective alternatives by using a little creativity.

Don’t have $20,000 to throw around? Your wedding day can still be luxurious for less. First and foremost: the date and venue. The Knot suggests skipping the whole Saturday thing—it’s becoming more acceptable (and definitely more affordable!) to set tradition aside and opt for a Friday evening wedding. Many brides choose public parks and facilities, which are free. Also, if you can have the wedding and reception in one place, it’s even better.

This will be the first article of a three-part series concerning wedding planning on a budget. Stay tuned for more information. What other tips do you have for cutting back wedding costs?

“This isn’t the real Caesar’s Palace is it?”

2009-10-15T04:00:00Z

Sorry for taking so long with next part of the series. I’ve been crazy busy with getting ready for Ghouls Gone Wild Parade on October 24. Buck The Norm will be defending our title of Beast In Show and I plan on going back-to-back. You should try and make it out. Always a good time. Anyway, on to part five of my guide for first-time home buying guide with a little of The Hangover mixed in for good measure.

Alan asks this question to the woman at the front desk of the hotel. The question was idiotic but at least he was asking questions, at least he was looking for information.

That’s what you’ll need to do in order to find all the programs that you may be eligible for that can assist you in getting into the house of dreams.

This step is huge. For a lot of people in their 20’s it’s hard to come up with a large down payment. If you’re lucky enough to be able to put 20% down, that’s awesome but for a lot of people that’s just not realistic. The good news is that there are plenty of programs offered by the federal government that can help you cover a down payment and other costs. For more information go here.

I took advantage of some local bond money that was released through the state of Oklahoma. The money took care of the down payment required for my FHA Loan. There are stipulations that go along with receiving the money (mainly that you have to live in the house a certain amount of time or you may have to pay some of the money back) but I plan on being in the house for a few years so that shouldn’t affect me.

Now, on to the fun part: shopping for your house. Finally, we’re getting to the real deal.