Archive for Saving Money

Choosing a Computer

When I think about all the different ways that I make money, one thing is clear. No matter what I am doing, I am using a computer. I buy and sell stock with my computer. I write for my blogs on my computer, I do my accounting work on my computer. I run almost every aspect of my business from my computer. So when it comes time to choosing a new computer it is not a decision that I take lightly.

With every new computer purchase there are decisions to be made, laptop, desktop, or maybe even a netbook computer? Mac or PC?

Should I look at Linux?

So far I have resolved these issues by having one of each. I use my desktop for every day work in my office. My laptop computer is my constant companion on my travels. I can get a lot of work done while waiting for an airplane. (Future blog post, airports with free Wi-Fi!) And when I just need to get out of the office for awhile I take my little netbook to the coffee shop where I can watch the people while I write.

So what does all this have to do with getting rich? Getting rich is not just about making lots of money. It is about spending your money wisely and having the right tools. My computers are my main tools for making money. When it comes time to buy a new computer, it is important for me to buy the right machine at the right price.

Right now I am seeing some good deals on laptop computers. One of the good things about a recession, is if you need to buy something, you are going to get a bargain. When I buy my next laptop, I don’t want just a cheap price, I want a great laptop at a fabulous price.

This is where I depend on sites like Shopwiki. It is a wiki site for shopping. Today I started with their Laptop Computer Buying Guide. It gave me a great starting point for choosing my next laptop computer. I particularly liked their “top picks”.

Bottom line, rich geeks are not just into making money, they are also into smart shopping.

No Excuses

When it comes to making money, many people are full of ideas…and excuses. You hear it all the time. They say “I have this great idea, that could make me loads of money I just don’t have the money to make it work.” Or they might say “I have to work my regular job to pay the bills, so I just don’t have the time”, or some other excuse that keeps them from achieving their goals.

On the other hand, people who are serious about their dreams find a way to make it work. They don’t have time for excuses. They will find a way to get the money. To find the time they will give up TV, social activities, and even sleep, to turn their dream into reality. They don’t make excuses, they find solutions.

Now many people have a great idea for a website, but they don’t have the money for a domain and hosting. If this is your “excuse” I have found a solution for you. Microsoft® Office Live Small Business. They have everything you need to take your business online.

Sign up and you get a free top level domain, a free website, free email, free hosting, and more for as long as you want. I have had a free Microsoft Office website for a few years now and I can tell you it really is free and it comes with many valuable tools that will help you get your business online.

The downsides, well, you have to use their web design program, and there are some limitations into what types of ads you can put on your site, but you certainly can’t beat the price.

Now if you take my advice and sign up for your free Microsoft Office Website, then I’d like you to do one more thing. Create you website and then leave a comment here showing us what you did. Maybe you can inspire others to give up their excuses and create a great online business.


Smart Shopping

On the road to getting rich, many people pay a lot of attention to getting money. The other side of the coin is just as important, maybe even more so. Once you’ve gone through all the hard work of earning the money, you want to make sure you put it to good use. A great way to do this is to always pay the lowest possible price for your all your purchases. Doing so frees up money for important things, like investing in your new business venture. Not only that, saving $10 can be the same as earning $12-15. Why is that? To spend $10 you need to earn the $10, plus the taxes that you pay on earning the money! Not just Federal and State Income taxes, but Social Security and Medicare taxes as well. Then of course, there is the sales tax.

That is why I am fond of coupon sites like Couponchief.com. Couponchief.com. is a website that offers coupons and discount codes on a wide variety of merchandise from online stores that you already shop at. I really like it when I can use coupons at a discount retailer like Overstock.com. When you add your coupon to the deep discounts you already get at Overstock, you are talking about some serious savings.

Of course, the best things in life are free, and Couponchief.com. has some free offers as well. Right now TurboTax is offering free tax filing, and VistaPrint is giving away a free, custom printed hat. (I’m thinking of getting a real geeky one!)