St. Patty’s day is over so we aren’t referring to green adult beverages and we’re not talking about Green Day!  Earth day is right around the corner and the non-green people are definitely missing out on some of the benefits of being a little earth friendly. There are people that are 100% earth friendly and have gone all organic while others just aren’t into changing their daily routines. 
 
Some of the easier ways to go green is by switching to paperless, online only bank and credit card statements.  This will not only save a tree, but will help reduce clutter in your home especially if you just haven’t had time to shred last year’s documents.  Another green change, that doesn’t really change your lifestyle, is to select a credit card made with a biodegradable plastic.  Or, if you need to use paper checks you can look into purchasing ones that are made with recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink.

Here are some additional tips that could change your daily routine and save you money:

•    Plug your electronics in to a power strip and by just turning that little button off, you’re going to save on electricity and put a little more change in your pocket.

These next two green suggestions may be harder for some to achieve than others. 

•    Find alternative means of transportation like walking, biking or mass transit systems and you can save money on gas and car maintenance.
•    When you’re on the go, try using a refillable water bottle and reduce the amount spent on daily bottled water. 
•    Start collecting your soda and beer cans as these can be recycled for a little bit of extra cash.

There are many other ways to be earth friendly that won’t affect your lifestyle that much. For those that love the idea of going green and being earth friendly but ask “what’s in it for me”, check out the incentives and take advantage of tax write-offs and the use of fewer utilities.  Do your research and soon you’ll be on your way to being green.

It’s about this time of year that grandeur and lavish presents seep to the forefront of our minds.  Thoughts of that flat screen TV, maybe a boat for entertainment in the summer, or a motorcycle to ride your days away.  It’s not Christmas but it can feel like it with the sum of money we look forward to – the tax return.  There are different uses for your tax return (if you’re getting one):

1.)    Save it.  Remember that it’s your hard earned money and you can put it in a savings account.  It doesn’t have to be spent right away.  For some of us, we have never had a savings account so a little extra cash lying around could be a plus.
2.)    Create an Emergency Fund.  As many of us already know…you never know what will happen in our future.  Many investors suggest an emergency fund of 3 to 6 months of take home pay.  Put it in a money market and reap the rewards of the interest rate attached to that account.
3.)    Pay off your high interest bearing credit cards or overdue bills.  Try to wipe your slate clean for the rest of the year.
4.)    Save for college.  It’s not just for kids leaving high school anymore.  For those who have lost a job, college is an option for new career opportunities or just to further your degree.
5.)    Last but not least, if you are caught up on your bills, credit cards, and have money in the bank…set your sights on that vacation or flat screen TV. 

Be smart about that hard earned money!

Many people are getting ready for some major spring cleaning but instead of cleaning your house, start focusing on your savings.   Now is a perfect time to start stashing away money and getting it organized.  It can be for big purchases like a house or smaller purchases like clothes, running shoes or outdoor equipment.

We probably all grew up with a piggy bank and packed it full of coins.  When it was finally full you could crack that piggy open and discover your long lost treasures.   Now as adults, we have the convenience of doing everything online.  You can open a savings account with a bank and you’ll still have access to it at a moment’s notice.  Money market and CDs may be great options if you’re a person that’s likely to dip into your electronic piggy bank.

Money markets are places where you can stash money, like a savings account, but you can’t get a hold of the money immediately.  The interest rates tend to be a little higher compared to a traditional savings account as well.

A CD is basically a savings account with a lock.  It has to reach a maturity date before you can withdraw money from the account without a penalty.  You can set your CD maturity date anywhere from 6 months to 48 months and the longer you commit to leaving it in there the higher the interest rate you can get.

It’s never too late to start saving even if you only start with a buck!     

Has the long winter got you dreaming of hitting the open road on a new motorcycle?  Has the Long Way Round got you itching to take on the open road adventure? Well right now may be the just the right time to take that first step.

Late winter is one of the best times to find bargain prices on motorcycles, motorcycle parts and motorcycle accessories. Forbes Magazine lists January and February as two of the best months to purchase motorcycles.  Purchasing last years’ carry-over models or slow moving inventory can save you real cash with Honda motorcycles, Harley motorcycles, Yamaha motorcycles or Suzuki motorcycles.  If a used motorcycle is what you're looking for, you may be able to save a lot of money by taking advantage of the owners urge to move a motorcycle that is taking up valuable space in the garage.

Purchasing a motorcycle while the snow is still on the ground can save you money and let you take your time getting ready for that first big ride. Plus, you will still have time to make any modifications to your motorcycle that may be needed for your first road trip.  It doesn’t matter if you dream of Harley Davidson motorcycles, BMW motorcycles or motorcycles scooters, shopping this time of year can save you hundreds or even thousands with a dealer.

When you find the motorcycle of your dreams, make sure you're ready by being preapproved for financing.  Most dealerships such as Harley Davidson and Honda will provide financing and incentives for new motorcycles.  If you're looking to finance a used motorcycle you may need to be looking a little farther.  One item many riders forget to look into until it is too late is motorcycle insurance. Shopping for a good motorcycle insurance rate can save you money for years to come.

The harsh winter has many people booking Spring Break getaways and planning summer vacations. Before you start packing your swimsuit you better start looking for those cheap travel deals. It’s best to start watching flight costs as soon as you know where you’d like to go. Get signed up for alerts through travel sites that let you know when costs go up or down. Sometimes you can get the best prices on Tuesday and Wednesday so keep checking around. Be flexible with the dates you can fly out sometimes you can find a cheap flight by flying out midweek.

If you’re not an air travel kind of person and you like to keep your feet closer to the ground you can catch a train or pack up your automobile for that cross country journey. You can still find deals on tickets, rental cars and hotels. If you map out your path you may find some interesting touristy attractions and buy admission or tickets online and save money by buying them in advance.

Credit cards with rewards can be very beneficial if you’ve been saving up your cashback, points or airline miles. Check to see if you can find other travel deals that are offered through your cards like promotions going on through travel websites on hotels or flights. There are some cards that offer travel delay insurance, lost or damaged luggage insurance or even roadside assistance.

If you’re not comfortable planning out your own vacation it may be best to consult a travel agent. They can give you insight or fresh ideas that you never thought of before especially if you’re traveling abroad. Ask your friends or do some investigating to find the right agent for you.