eFreePress 04.18.13.pdf - Blue Rapids Free Press

News Blue Rapids Free Press - Thursday, April 18, 2013
Home Notes...
Improving Your Financial Future
Susan A. Latta - CEA
Marshall County Extension
Agent
If your overall financial picture
needs to be improved, it’s
going to take some time.
However, you’ve got to start
somewhere and your monthly
expenses are a good place to
begin. Saving $50 per month
may not sound like much, but if
you can find five different ways
to do this, you’ll have saved
$3,000 in only one year.
Here are some simple
options to consider:
1. Price Matching/Clip
Coupons - Most folk simply do
not realize the power of price
matching or clipping coupons
to save on groceries. Go to
websites from Manhattan to
Lincoln, NE and look at ads
from various grocery stores and
discount stores. It is surprising
the deals you can find on groceries.
One example is that on
most weeks you can save up to
$2.00 a gallon on milk. Pick up
a copy of the Sunday paper, and
get the kids involved to find
coupons for the items you buy
most. But remember to comparison
shop. Sometimes you
can buy the store brand cheaper
than the brand name with a
coupon. Organize your
coupons in a file folder by expiration
date so you can be sure
to use them before they expire.
Don’t buy something just
because you have a coupon for
it.
2. Bring A Brown Bag
Lunch To Work - Lunch is a
minor expense in the eyes of
most, but it adds up fast. Let’s
say you eat out every work day
and spend an average of $7.00.
In one month you’ve spent
$140.00. Instead, pack some of
last night’s leftovers, or make a
sandwich yourself. That way
you can easily cut your daily
lunch expense in half, which
saves more than $50 over the
course of a month.
3. Eliminate Your Landline
Telephone - If you have a cell
phone, you may not need a land
line anymore. As long as you
have a reliable internet connection,
you can pick up a device
that connects to your computer
and then to a telephone.
4. Reduce Entertainment -
Even if you only eliminate one
night out at a restaurant or one
trip to the movies per month,
you could save $50.00. Instead
of going out, cook a meal with
the whole family pitching in
and rent movies.
5. Cut Back On Personal
Purchases - Just about everything
you buy at a convenience
store can either be eliminated
or purchased else where for
less. Lottery tickets, snacks,
sodas, and many other things
Dane’s Automotive
Stop in and see us for all your
welding supplies and tires.
All Automotive Repairs.
Your Drop and Lock Hitch Dealer
324 E. Front St., Waterville, Ks
785-363-2143
are truly unnecessary purchases.
If you’re a coffee drinker,
brew it at home instead of buying
it at a store each day. There
are plenty of other ways to
reduce your personal purchases.
Any time you reach for
your wallet or purse, just ask
yourself: “Do I really need
this?”
Let’s say you implement all
of these ideas, and the savings
equal exactly $250.00 each
month. Instead of wasting this
money, figure out how to best
use it. Pay off credit card balances,
invest in your retirement
plan, save money in your emergency
fund, or set it aside for
your children’s college fund.
Once you start to see positive
effects of these savings, you
will have all the motivation you
need to keep going. Maybe
you can think of other ways to
save $50.00 a month.
Here are ten keys for
Financial Success:
Spend Less Than You Earn.
Keep a budget or spending plan
and track your spending.
While tracking your spending
isn’t easy, just start with a day.
The goal would be to track your
spending for at least a week.
You might be surprised as to
where your money is going.
Have A Plan. Get organized,
write down your financial
goals, track your expenses.
Let us help with your home improvements
• Carpet
We have a wide selection of
• Ceramic Tile 3 Full-time
•Vinyl • Laminates Installers
We can help you furnish every room in your home!
• Sofa, Chairs & Oak Furniture • Bedroom Sets &
•Occasional Tables & Lamps Mattress/Box Springs
• Dinette & Kitchen Sets • Wallpaper, Border, Paints
Dusin Enterprises, Inc.
203 Commercial, Washington, Ks - 325-2379 or 1-800-491-2379
Store Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. 9:00 - 5:00 - Thur. 9:00 - 7:00 - Sat. 9:00 - 1:00
BUYING
SCRAP IRON
Competitive Pricing per ton for scrap
iron.
SMITTY’S
785-736-2964
Axtell, Kansas
Thank You
5A
I would like to thank those who supported
me in the recent election. I look forward
to serving my community as a member of
the city council.
Jennifer Pishny
If you like the Free Press please tell these Advertisers
SALES AND SERVICE
OF ALL MAKES
1920 Center St, Marysville, KS
785-562-5000
Pope Disposal, Inc
Since 1977
Prepare For Expected Events
such as retirement, holidays,
birthdays, taxes, prom, and
vacations.
Prepare for Unexpected
Events such as emergencies
and job loss.
Always Know Your Interest
Rates. Know what you pay on
interest and fees. Know how
your interest is being calculated.
Keep A Healthy Credit
Report. Receive a free annual
credit report at annualcreditreport.com
Avoid Waste. Eat at home,
clip coupons, return purchases
you won’t use.
Take Advantage Of Tax
Breaks. Earned Income Credit
and the volunteer tax assistance
program.
Fill in the financial gaps.
Garage sale, eBay, recycle, sell
excess produce at a Farmer’s
Market, house cleaning, and do
other odd jobs to make money.
Give Back To Your
Community. Participate by
giving to the food pantry, Angel
Tree program, Toys for Tots,
Habitat for Humanity, and
other programs that help others.
There are many ways to volunteer
in your community as a
way to give back to others.
For ideas on how to get more
involved in your community
contact the Marshall County
Extension Office or RSVP of
NE Kansas.
Senior Of The Week... Michael Clark
By VHHS Journalism
VHHS Journalism
The life of a farmer is the
only life for Michael Clark,
which he has shown in many of
his achievements. Clark won
the Greenhand Award in FFA
and was the Farm Chairman for
one year. Clark elaborates saying,
“I grew up on a farm and I
always helped out.” His modest
hope is to make a living from
farming and make a name for
himself.
His parents, Bill and Linda
Clark, and his family have
always pushed him to do what
he wants and not worry about
anything else.
“Only those who will risk
going too far can possibly find
out how far one can go,” said
T.S. Elliot. This is a quote that
has inspired Clark to always
test the limits. This sort of attitude
has helped Clark get a
scholarship at North Central
Kansas Tech where he plans to
study agriculture to reach his
dream of being a farmer.
Some of Clark’s other activities
include working at Dane’s
Auto and riding off road vehicles,
“which helps to get my
mind off things,” Clark
explains. He also plays golf
which gave him memories of
good times with friends that he
will never forget. “I want people
to remember me as a happy
and cheerful person,” Clark
says.
For two years he played basketball,
but more important to
Clark, he participated in FFA
all four years of his high school
career again showing his determination
to be a farmer.
One thing Clark says makes
him different from others is that
he doesn’t follow what other
people are doing; metaphorically
not jumping of the cliff
with the herd, he makes his
own path and sticks to it. So it
seems his path is that of a
farmer, and he is well on his
way.
Michael Clark
Commercial & Residential
Hauling
For Blue Rapids and
Waterville
785-363-7537 Jerry Pope, Owner
Check
The back issues of the Free Press at:
bluerapidsfreepress.com
Wanted: Hunting Land Lease
PRIVATE & PROFESSIONAL PERSON LOOK-
ING TO LEASE 500 TO 1000 ACRES FOR DEER
HUNTING FOR 5 YEARS. THIS IS NOT AN OUT-
FITTER. PLEASE CALL 772-221-8500 OR FAX
INFO 772-221-8502
39 95 The
Works
Motorcraft oil and filter change, rotate and inspect four
tires, inspect brake system, test battery, check air and cabin
filters, check belts and hoses. Top off all fluids.
Offer valid with coupon. Taxes extra. Expires 60 days
from 4-11-13.
Dick Edwards Ford Lincoln Mercury
7929 E. Highway 24, Manhattan, 785-776-4004
• We Recycle look forward • Reuse to many • more Reduce years
serving the community • Rebuild and building
2006 Center, Marysville, Ks * 785-562-1070
D. Roche Fencing, Inc.
Farm • Commercial •
Residential
Don & Deb Roche
Quality Fencing Since 1980
Thrift
Shop
MARSHALL COUNTY
HABITAT for HUMANITY
Would like to say, "THANK YOU"
to our donors and customers
homes!
785-292-4271 • 785-587-4931 • Frankfort, Kansas • droche@bluevalley.net