Smart Spending moves to WordPress. Come see our new home
Come along with Mr. Cheapskatin’ as Smart Spending changes addresses. This move won’t cost you a cent.
The latest entry might help you find air fares for spring break and summer travel that won’t leave a hole in the ol’ piggy bank.
Bookmark our new site (http://blogs.ajc.com/smart-spending-blog/) and be sure to sign up for the RSS feed.
Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2009 > March
March 2009
A taxing decision: How to spend your refund
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Come along with Mr. Cheapskatin’ as Smart Spending changes addresses. This move won’t cost you a cent.
The latest entry might help you find air fares for spring break and summer travel that won’t leave a hole in the ol’ piggy bank.
Bookmark our new site (http://blogs.ajc.com/smart-spending-blog/) and be sure to sign up for the RSS feed.
Two words: tax refund.
One question: Whatcha doing with yours?
“Blow it on yourself. You deserve it,” the devil on your right shoulder whispers in one ear.
“Don’t listen to the pitch-forked one,” murmurs the angel on your right shoulder. “Do the right thing.”
That would be to pay off credit card debt. Catch up on bills. Kick some into an IRA. Invest in career or personal development.
This advice comes from various websites, such as, along with. But it’s really common sense.
OK, not every last cent must be diverted wisely. Carve out a few bucks for a nice meal out or a weekend trip. But the bulk should help right your financial ship.
What is your strategy with tax refunds? Are you deciding with your head? Or your heart?
One more thing. Next year, adjust the amount withheld from your paycheck to make sure you don’t receive a refund.
Through February, according to the Internal Revenue Service, the average refund check was $2,869. That money could have been in your pocket last year.
Wouldn’t you rather have had it then than now?
I know, I know. A refund check is like found money. But it’s not someone else’s. It’s yours.
Two closing words on tax refunds: Bad idea.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Smart Spending moves to WordPress. Come see our new home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Come along with Mr. Cheapskatin’ as Smart Spending changes addresses. This move won’t cost you a cent.
The latest entry might help you find air fares for spring break and summer travel that won’t leave a hole in the ol’ piggy bank.
Bookmark our new site (http://blogs.ajc.com/smart-spending-blog/) and be sure to sign up for the RSS feed.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Alert
Seeking lower insurance premiums? Here’s an easy way (and you can quote me)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Home and auto insurance is one of life’s necessary spending evils, made worse by those annoying TV ads. (What’s with the ducks and cavemen? I don’t get it, nor will I get coverage from those companies.)
I’ve never felt comfortable shopping for providers, partly out of uncertainty that they were providing rate quotes for an apples-to-apples comparison. OK, this premium is lower than that one, but is the coverage equal?
Then an acquaintance, burned by a rate hike from her long-term provider, told me about how an independent insurance agency got her premiums slashed. This particular firm has contracts to represent eight providers. So it obtained quotes from all of them, and she happily switched over to one.
I approached the same firm, which responded with a bunch of quotes that would knock down my premium slightly. I’m undecided whether to jump ship, but at least I can rest assured knowing that my current provider is not fleecing me.
Have you gone the independent agent route in search of lower premiums? Was it worth the trouble?
This site offers a sampling of independent agents.
Here is one with tips on shopping for vehicle insurance.
And, if you’d rather compare rate quotes yourself rather than lean on an agent, check this out.
Are you content with your insurance company? And, with the premium it charges you?
It’s not easy being a smart spender in this area. Too many quacks and hairy situations, if you ask me.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Free and Cheap Entertainment in Atlanta: An Amusement Park, Art Openings and Atlanta Landmarks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kyle Carpenter’s salt and soda fired pottery is on view at MudFire Clayworks and Gallery beginning Saturday, March 7.
Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful weekend, so you’ll probably want to get out of the house. It’s a great time on the money-saving front, too, with Six Flags offering half-price admission (with a blanket donation), free art openings galore and a Purim parade in Toco Hills. Here’s to sun and savings.
SIX FLAGS SAVINGS
Last weekend was supposed to be Six Flags Over Georgia’s opening weekend, but then came the blanketing snows of March. They’ll try again this weekend, and the weather forecast couldn’t be better. And speaking of blanketing, to celebrate the opening, guests can donate a new or gently used blanket for United Way and receive 50 percent off one-day admission. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 7-8. Regular prices are $39.99; $29.99 online; ages 2 and younger free. During the rest of March, the park will be open weekends only. 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell. 770-739-3400.
ATLANTA RISING
The Phoenix Flies: A Citywide Celebration of Living Landmarks offers an insider’s view of many of Atlanta’s historic venues through guided walking tours, lectures and open houses. And it’s all free. Among the places that will be visited are the newly renamed Emory University Hospital Midtown, known as Crawford Long Hospital until the recent name change, Grant Park, Rhodes Hall, the Margaret Mitchell House and approximately 30 more. Times vary; call or check Web site. March 7-22. 404-688-3353.
COMPLIMENTARY CULTURE
Art openings are a great way to get a little culture without very little cash. There are many shows getting under way this weekend with opening receptions. Here are just a few, all of them free:
“Continental Drift.” Paintings and sculpture by Robby Pope. 5-7 p.m. March 6. Free. Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, 251 Alabama St., Carrollton. 770-838-1083.
“Fire & Water.” Artists Teresa Barnes, fused glass; Nancy Suffolk Guerine, mixed media paintings; and Elizabeth Carr, watercolor. 6-9 p.m. March 6. Free. Gallery 4463, 4463 Cherokee St., Acworth. 404-808-9971.
One-woman show of works by local artist Kenson. 6-8 p.m. March 6. Free. Bennett Street Gallery, 22-F Bennett St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-352-8775.
“Then and Now.” Multiple artists present an early work alongside a recent one. 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 6. Free. Abernathy Arts Center, 254 Johnson Ferry Road N.W., Sandy Springs. 404-303-6172.
”Expressions of Difference.” Group show. 7-9 p.m. March 6. Free. Kudzu Art Zone, 116 Carlyle St., Norcross. 770-840-9844.
“Surface.” Salt and soda fired pottery by Kyle Carpenter. 5-9 p.m. March 7. Free. MudFire Clayworks and Gallery, 175 Laredo Drive, Decatur. 404-377-8033.
“Baggage un/claimed.” Emerging artists create work addressing the theme “baggage.” 7-9 p.m. March 7. Free. NAVO Church, 630 East Lake Drive, Decatur. 678-764-2492.
New work by Ben Roosevelt. 7-11 p.m. March 7. Free. Get This Gallery, 662 11th St. N.W., Atlanta. 678-596-4451.
”Birds of a Feather.” Paintings by David Hale and soft sculpture by Abby Glassenberg. 7-10 p.m. March 7. Free. Young Blood Gallery, 636 N. Highland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-254-4127.
The Seen Gallery celebrates its new location in downtown Decatur with new works in various mediums by several gallery artists. 7-10 p.m. March 7. Free. 415 Church St., Suite A, Decatur. 404-377-0733.
New works by Mario Schambon. 7-9 p.m. March 7. Free. Eyedrum, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.E., Atlanta. 404-522-0655.
ARTY GRAS
Roswell Art Center West’s Mardi Gras Clay Festival will have indoor and outdoor activities with ongoing wheel throwing and kiln firing demonstrations, clay competitions, mask and bead painting and tent sale. Chicken gumbo or chili offered with the purchase of a handmade pottery bowl. 12:30-5 p.m. March 7. Free admission. 1355 Woodstock Road, Roswell. 770-641-3990.
ESTHER EXTRAVAGANZA
The festive Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the escape from annihilation by Jews living in the Persian Empire in the 6th century B.C., as recounted in the book of Esther. The occasion will be celebrated in the Toco Hills neighborhood with a parade of marching bands, colorful floats and a festival at parade’s end at Congregation Beth Jacob,/ 1855 LaVista Road. The parade begins in the Pike’s Nursery parking lot. 11 a.m.-noon March 8. Free. Toco Hills Shopping Center, LaVista Road at North Druid Hills Road, Atlanta. 404-917-6466.
FREE JAZZ
Trumpeter Joe Gransden supplements his usual Tuesdays at Twain’s Billiards and Tap in Decatur with a Monday gig with vocalist Audrey Shakir and the Tempest Little Big Band. 9 p.m. March 9. No cover. 211 E. Trinity Place, Decatur. 404-373-0063.
Read other money saving tips at Your Money, and see a list of all of more upcoming free and cheap events.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Time to go clubbing: Fitness clubs offer deals
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Crowds at health and fitness clubs are starting to wane as the New Year’s resolution bunch move on to sedentary activities.
You know the type, right? Resolve in December to shape up … hit the gym enthusiastically in January … ship out in February and return to couch-potato status.
If you’re ready to climb aboard an exercise bike or hoist a barbell, many clubs are making it financially enticing to join.
Among the chains, Gold’s Gym, the most prevalent in metro Atlanta, have knocked down their $100 enrollment fee down to a buck. Dues vary from club to club, so check out the website for the one nearest you.
Bally’s Total Fitness, it is pitching a $30 monthly membership fee, with no long-term contract required.
Are you a Gold’s or Bally’s regular? What do you think?
If other clubs are more convenient, check out their offers. Like other businesses, many are hurting as much as a patron after an hour of bench-pressing and need to lure customers.
How do you rate your club for affordability?
So, put on those sweatbands, even though you may not have to sweat the cost of signing with a fitness club. With the places clearing out a bit, now’s the time to step up to the plate — and onto the step machine.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Don’t forget donating to charities in these challenging times
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Give ‘til it hurts, the old saw goes about donating to charity.
What pains me is charitable organizations that take your money and keep too much of it for salaries and expenses. When I extend a helping hand — holding cash or a check — I want assurances that nearly all of the amount gets to the designated beneficiary.
Once you part with your donation, you can never be certain it will be spent to your complete satisfaction. But there are approaches and resources to boost your confidence level.
If a telemarketer calls on behalf of a charity you like, politely hang up and contact the organization directly. You won’t be paying a commission, which can range up to 75 percent of the pledged sum, through the phone pitch.
You can scope out a charity by confirming that it has been designated 501 (c) (3), meaning it has been granted tax-exempt status by the feds. Any such charity files a report (Form 990) indicating what percentage it spends on administrative costs versus on the declared recipients.
Another indicator is compensation for the charity’s top executives. The more they are paid, the less is available for the needy.
How do you determine your charitable giving? Do you consider any of these factors, or others?
To save you some trouble researching organizations, check out the data-heavy. Another online source:.
How has the economy affected your contributions? Are you cutting back?
Nowadays, giving can hurt a little. To prevent it from getting too painful, check out the charity before writing that check.
Here are more tips on how to do good locally. and more money saving ideas.
