25 Tips To Celebrate Earth Day

Image via WikipediaThis is the 40th anniversary of our annual Earth Day. A day where we promote the sustainability of our land, water, and air through individual and collective efforts. If you remember forty years ago the notion of an Earth Day was thought of as silly. Not today, Earth Day has grown to a worldwide effort to educate and take action on everything concerning the environment.

Earth Day was created as a response to the systematic pollution and disregard for the environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970. Earth Day is celebrated in spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Earth Day Network, a group that wishes to become the coordinator of Earth Day globally, asserts that Earth Day is now observed on April 22 in virtually every country on Earth. World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5 in a different nation every year, is the principal United Nations environmental observance.

The idea behind "Earth Day" is totally a Baby Boomer concept. It's maturity is tied to the generation that brought it to life. As baby boomers age they start to be comfortable with Earth Day's competing values. Earth Day, in effect, also is Boomer Day. It shows the essential conflict between self interest and the public interest. The day reflects Baby Boomer’s conviction that we can have it all if we just tweak and adjust and think much differently about how we integrate manmade and natural systems. Now that it’s completely plain, that the more sensitively we treat the earth, the better off we’ll be in every aspect of our lives. Baby Boomers have the satisfaction of knowing that they were right.

The beauty of being responsible with the environment is that it's so easy to do. It doesn't cost much, it's just an adjustment to your behaviors. Here's a list of things you can do to make an impact on Earth Day and all year.

25 Tips To Do On Earth Day And All Year Round

1. Lower your thermostat. Buy a programmable thermostat.
2. Reuse your water bottle. Avoid buying bottled water. In fact, reuse everything at least once, especially plastics.
3. Check out your bathroom. Use low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets.
4. Start a compost in your back yard.
5. Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs. You'll find more on energy-efficient products and practices at Energy Star.
6. Recycle your newspapers.
7. Car pool.
8. Go to your local library instead of buying new books.
9. Get off junk mail lists. GreenDimes can get you started. They’ll even plant a tree for you!
10. Buy products that use recyclable materials whenever possible.
11. If you use plastic grocery bags, recycle them for doggie poop bags or for small trashcan liners.
12. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Given a choice between plastic and paper, opt for paper.
13. If you have a baby, consider using cloth diapers. To sign up for a diaper service to do the dirty work, check out the National Association of Diaper Services.
14. Consider buying a fuel-efficient car or a hybrid.
15. Go paperless. Consider reading your newspaper and magazine subscriptions online. Switch to electronic banking and credit card payment, too.
16. Turn your car off if you’re going to be idle for more than one minute.
17. Do full loads of laundry and set the rinse cycle to “cold.”
18. Reuse. Plastic food containers make good crayon and marker holders. Use padded envelops more than once. Buy your toddler or preschooler’s clothes from a thrift shop and give away those that don’t fit to friends. Goodwill or the Salvation Army can help.
19. Limit the length of your showers. Even better, take a “navy shower,” shutting off the water while soaping up and shampooing.
20. Don’t run the water when brushing your teeth.
21. Wash towels after several uses. 
22. Give away your goods and find new ones at FreeCycle.
23. Build a greener home.
24. Go paperless at work. Distribute company information and post company material online.
25. Eliminate junk mail at work. For no fee, the EcoLogical Mail Coalition will eliminate the junk mail that former employees receive at work.

Today, it's easier than ever to recycle. Many city's distribute recycle bins and have weekly pick up. In your town or county there is a bulk waste disposal site. There are now companies and county sites to bring electronics, computers and TVs to be recycled. Even places for toxic items like paints, chemicals and fluorescent bulbs. We have no excuse anymore for not recycling. Do your part on Earth Day and all year round.

Discover More Card Review & 24 Month 0% Promotional Balance Transfer

Discover More Card: No Annual Fee, Great Cash Back Rewards & 24 month 0% Balance Transfer

The Discover More card is one of Discovers more interesting cards. I have always used Chase and Citi credit cards before now. Discover has always been an odd card to me. It's wasn't taken every where so I just passed it by for the more popular Visa or Mastercard. I came across this incredible balance transfer offer so I dug a little bit deeper to see what Discover has to offer. These benefits I discovered made the card very interesting.


5% cashback on up to $400 in purchases.

• Jan–Mar Travel and Restaurants
• Apr–Jun Home and Fashion
• Jul–Sep Gas, Hotels, Movies and Theme Parks
• Oct–Dec Restaurants and Fashion

Of course you have to sign up each time to receive the cashback.

You can also earn up to 1% unlimited Cashback bonus on every purchase you make outside those seasonal purchasing categories. You'll earn .25% Cashback bonus on every purchase you make until your yearly spending total reaches $3,000 dollars. After that, you'll earn 1% Cashback bonus. You'll earn between 5% and 20% Cashback bonus when you shop at over 150 online retailers through ShopDiscover.com, Discover's online shopping mall. There's no limit to the amount of Cashback bonuses you can accrue, and these bonuses never expire as long as your account is active and current!

The Discover® More Card - 24 Month Promotional Balance Transfer offer lets you redeem your Cashback bonus rewards for merchandise, gift cards from hundreds of name-brand retailers, Discover gift cards that are good anywhere Discover is accepted, and even cash. You can have your Cashback bonus rewards redeemed for direct deposits to a bank account of your choice or directly credited to your Discover card statement.

On top of these excellent features, you'll never be charged an Annual Fee for the Discover® More Card. You can access your account securely online anytime day or night, and customer service is available whenever you need it. The Discover® More Card - 24 Month Promotional Balance Transfer offer is an excellent choice if you're looking for a cash rewards card, a very long 0% Introductory APR on balance transfers, 0% Introductory APR on purchases, or all three!

Discover Online Mall: What's there?

The Discover Mall has merchants that give 5% to 20% cash back bonuses on purchases, when you perchase your items there. These online merchants are your very best. This is an outstanding group of merchants and the bonuses are very generous.

Merchant included and their % bonus:

• Apple Store: 5% cashback bonus
• Best Buy: 5% cashback bonus
• Groupon: 20% cashback bonus
• WalMart: 5% cashback bonus
• Kohl’s: 10% cashback bonus
• Lowe’s and Home Depot: 5% cashback bonus
• Target: 5% cashback bonus
• Meijer: 5% cashback bonus 

That's not all. Look also for Cabela’s, Sears, Dicks, JCPenney, Hotels.com, Old Navy, and Staples. You won't just be getting the normal 1% cash back, you'll be getting much more. During the holidays you will be getting bonus cashback. Some bonuses go from 10% to 20% during the Christmas holidays.

What's the bad news?
Warning if your not responsible with credit cards do not use them. But if you a responsible shopper, paying off your balance every month than this is appropriate for you. These rewards are a nice incentive when shopping, but must be used responsibly.

Also remember that you will only earn .25% on your first $3000 in purchases, if those purchases don't fit into the seasonal category's or are a 5%+ partner.

Discover More Conclusions

The Discover More is definitely one of the best cards for cash back deals. It's links to big name retailers for substantial discounts is a big plus. The 24 month 0% balance transfer is also a huge bonus. I can whole heartily recommend the Discover More card if your a responsible credit card user.


If your interested in this Discover More Card: No Annual Fee, Great Cash Back Rewards & 24 month 0% Balance Transfer click here.

Credit card protection: Is it worth it?

Image via WikipediaAre you paying a fee every month for credit card payment protection? It may not be worth it or you could be over paying. Americans are still carrying large credit card debt and they fear if they lose their job or become ill then they won't be able to make their minimum payment. The credit card company will make your minimum payment in these times, for a small monthly fee.

But a new government report shows that the price consumers pay for this debt protection may be too much for the benefits they receive. The Government Accountability Office reports that consumers shelled out about $2.4 billion in 2009 to the nine largest credit card issuers for debt protection products. For every $1 cardholders paid in fees, they received 21 cents of benefits. Meanwhile, the card issuers earned 55 cents, before taxes, on every dollar of fees.

Debt protection products generally promise to suspend monthly minimum payments or cancel balances in the event of an illness, unemployment or the death of the cardholder. Fees are tied to the account balance and can amount to hundreds of dollars a year. At that price, consumers likely are better off paying down their balance or putting the money in an interest-bearing account that can be tapped in an emergency.

Monthly fees, according to the GAO, range from 85 cents to $1.35 for every $100 of debt. On a $5,000 balance, consumers could end up paying $510 to $810 a year.
The irony is that those with high card balances are more likely to be struggling financially. Usually, the people who can afford the least will pay the most.

Credit insurance and debt protection products can safeguard credit ratings when consumers go through tough times, and consumers have lodged few complaints, the GAO notes. Moreover, 70 percent of benefit claims were paid in 2009, according to the GAO study. However, nearly one in four claims were denied, often because consumers didn't provide documentation of their hardship.

Instead of buying debt protection. If you lose a job or suffer some other financial hardship, contact the card company to work out a payment plan.

Some consumers might be tempted to buy debt protection because they worry about dying and leaving loved ones stuck with their credit card debt. But survivors won't be held accountable for the debt unless their names are on the account. If people are worried about leaving behind bills, they should buy life insurance that will cover more than just a credit card debt.

The Psychology of Tax Refunds

Image via WikipediaTax season is over it's time to relax. You filed your taxes and now waiting to get your refund. If your getting a refund you feel pretty good. The average refund for most Americans is around $3000. In the media and almost every financial blog you will be told this is wrong. They will say you are giving the government an interest free loan. It's true and it does make sense. But someone has an alternative view to this.

Ramit Sethi, author of "I WILL TEACH YOU TO BE RICH", has a different perspective on this idea. He says technically it makes sense to pay the government the least possible. He shoots down the idea that you are losing possible interest income on your money. What's the interest on $3,000 for the year? It comes to $2.50 per month for a total of $30 for the year. He says it's not that much of an impact on your money. Secondly, if you did receive the money in your paycheck you would probably end up spending it.

Ramit says it's a good thing to receive the money back as a lump sum. When you receive money as a lump sum, you tend to spend it more wisely. Americans use the money, on average, to payoff debt or save it. This is the psychology of tax refunds.

It's interesting that in my own experience, I have found this psychology very true. Every year for a quite a while I would receive, a tax refund, between $2000 and $3000. I would plan my budget and I was ready to use this money to payoff debt or I would put it toward my property tax. Like clockwork this went on and still goes on. Ask me if I would have it any other way and I would say, No.

Though not ever created to be a mini savings plan, it has turned out to be that way. I know people use their refunds to buy big screen TV's and other things. But for the most part I agree with Ramit that Americans use their refund to save or pay off large living expenses like I do.

I have followed Ramit for a few years now and notice his philosophy is to make money moves that are usually big. He doesn't believe in the frugal style or your "Latte Factor". He believes in making more money and having that latte when ever you want. I have his book and recommend it all. He puts out there an interesting plan for you finances. He goes against the grain of most money guru's. He preaches mostly on how to increase your income.

I am including one of Ramit's best YouTube videos where he describes how to automate the inflow and outflow of your money. He believes automation is key to a successful financial life. Watch.

Reader: Do you think a tax refund makes sense?

Happy Tax Day Freebies 2011

Image via WikipediaTax day freebies are freebies given out by businesses on the day taxes are due, to soften the blow and make the day a little more fun. These tax day freebies can make an otherwise dreary day a little bit brighter.

Tax day freebies 2011 include free Cinnabon bites, free ice cream sundaes at MaggiMoo's, a free workout at Bally Total Fitness, and a free massage from HydroMassage.

1. Free Cinnabon Bites

Stop in on Monday, April 18 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. for this scrumptious tax day freebie called "Tax Day Bites."

Participating Cinnabon bakeries will be handing out two Cinnabon Bites to each customer who stops in.

I recommend calling your local Cinnabon before you head out to make sure they're participating in this tax day freebie.

2. Free Ice Cream Sundaes at MaggieMoo's

Here's a tasty tax day freebie for you! On tax day, Monday, April 18, 2011, you can stop by MaggieMoo's to get a free mini ice cream sundae during their Sundae Stimulus.

The free ice cream sundaes are MaggieMoo's Crumb Cake Fundae which features cinnamon Hostess crumb cake, cinnamon ice cream, caramel, sauce, mixed nuts, and whipped cream.

This tax day freebie will only be given out from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

3. Free Workout at Bally Total Fitness

After you've eaten your tax day freebie goodies, some exercise might be a good idea. Stop in on Monday, April 18 and non-members can get a free workout at Bally Total Fitness.

If you're already a member of Bally Total Fitness then they have a tax day freebie for you too. Sign up at your local Bally's and get a free 30 minute personal training session April 15-21.

4. Free Preview of HBO and Cinemax

This tax day freebie will really help you relax and spend some time with the family.

DirecTV, Dish Network, Verizon FIOS, and some Cox Communications customers will be getting a free preview of HBO and Cinemax over tax day weekend - April 15 to April 18.

Check with your provider for more details about this tax day freebie.

5. Free Massage From HydroMassage

After mailing in those taxes you're going to need a relaxing tax day freebie like this free massage from HydroMassage.

Click the link above to find a HydroMassage near you and print out the coupon to get a free massage from April 14-18. They suggest calling ahead to schedule your free massage.

6. Tax Day Cheapies 2011

These aren't tax day freebies but they're some great deals that are being offered on tax day.

• California Tortilla - Stop in and get an order of free chips and queso with any purchase on April 18.
• McCormick & Schmick's - They're offering some $10.40 entree specials and tax relief drink specials.
• P.F. Chang's - Dine-in or carry-out some food at P.F. Chang's on April 18th and you'll get 15% off your food order.

Have Fun.

Tax Tips As Filing Deadline Arrives

Image by wwarby via FlickrWhether you've already filed and are happily awaiting a refund or if you're just getting started with the annual chore, here are some last-minute tax tips.

GOOD NEWS: EXTRA TIME: Thanks to a local holiday in Washington, D.C., the normal April 15 tax filing deadline got moved by three days. This year only, state and federal taxes are due on Monday, April 18. Which means you get an extra weekend to get all that paperwork completed.

NEED HELP? Free tax preparation help is still available for low- and moderate-income individuals and the elderly.

• Those with annual incomes below $49,000 can get free help at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites, some of which are open through April 18.
• Free IRS tax help is also available to seniors over 60 through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program.
• To find the nearest site for either program, call the IRS help line at 800-906-9887 or go to www.irs.gov. The help line is answered by a live IRS staffer, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• FASTER REFUNDS: The fastest refund route is to electronically file your tax return and request that refunds be direct-deposited to your bank account. Taxpayers who do so can expect their refund in seven to 10 days; those mailing a paper return can expect a refund by mail in eight weeks.
• To check the status of your IRS refund, call the refund hotline at 800-829-1954 or check online "Where's My Refund?" at www.irs.gov.
• There's also a new smartphone application, IRS2Go, that lets you check your refund status and get IRS tax updates. The app is available for Android or Apple devices.
• NEED AN EXTENSION? If you can't gather your paperwork in time, get a tax-filing extension. But note: You still must pay what you owe by Monday, April 18, or face interest fees and possible penalties.
• For IRS taxes, an extension is not automatic but requires filing a Form 4868. The extension form is easily filed online using the irs.gov "FreeFile" program.
• Those working overseas or serving in the military outside the United States get an automatic two-month extension to file and pay their federal taxes.
• HOW TO PAY: Never, ever send cash.
• If you're paying by check, make it payable to: "U.S. Treasury." On the front, include the tax year, tax form number and the first Social Security number shown on your tax form.
• Do not staple your check to the return.
• If you're paying by credit or debit card, the IRS offers several options through private providers on its website. The IRS does not charge a fee, but the providers do. Generally, the minimum "convenience fee" is about $3.95.
• CAN'T PAY? Taxpayers who owe but don't have the funds to pay should contact the IRS to request an "alternative payment" plan. It can be a one-time short-term extension or a longer installment plan. Generally, installment plans are offered if the tax debt is $25,000 or less and can be repaid within five years. Penalties and interest are charged.
• DON'T MISS OUT: Low-income individuals and families are urged to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit. It's a federal refund, up to a maximum of $5,666, depending on family size.
• The refund phases out at various income levels; for married couples filing jointly, with three or more kids, the maximum is roughly $48,360.
• Even if you don't owe taxes, you need to file a return to claim an EITC refund

You still have time to get your taxes done. It won't be easy. Good Luck!