Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmatic

Thought for the day: You don't always have to be great. Sometimes you just need to be present.

This week we're talking about the three "R"s. I'm assuming if you are reading this blog you can do at least two of the three. I'll show you how things as simple as reading, writing, and math can save you money. You can save a lot of cash by reading directions, contracts, rules, etc. By writing things down such as how much money you spend and where you spend it you'll find that you spend less and can get a better look at how to reduce spending. Simple math skills are all you need to balance a checkbook. Once you can do that you can start stockpiling cash.

Just the other night Karen summed it up. "People just need to educate themselves," she said. And we're not talking about spending thousands of dollars and going back to school. It's the information you already have but may not have read, i.e. the fine print on your credit card agreement, the contract with the fitness center. Don't take anyone's word for it when you're signing your name to anything. Always take the time to read what you're agreeing to before you initial a document in five places.

When was the last time you pulled your car's owner's manual out of the glove box? No, it's not a great read if you're looking for the featured title at next month's book club. But there are a lot of things you can do to keep your car running more efficiently. Keep your tires inflated to the proper PSI and check fluid levels regularly. Many small fixes can be done in your own garage with no service fees or hourly rates. The same goes for household appliances.

Tip of the Day: Organize your owner's manuals and user guides in one central location (except for the car's. It stays with the car). Next time something breaks down see if you can fix it yourself.