Recent statistics from a PNC survey show that nearly one third of business owners in the U.S. are pessimistic about the prospects of their company in the next six months. However, financial concerns aren't just limited to the U.S. It's actually a global issue. The Telegraph notes that "The crisis engulfing the world has demonstrated our economic interdependence." As a lot of people are looking to tighten their belts for the near-term until the financial markets can stabilize, here are some tips (primarily for expats, but some apply to everyone) to help you through these uncertain times.
1. Call Internationally with Jaxtr. International calls can really rack up the charges. Using jaxtr allows you to bypass expensive fees through VoIP technology. You can use jaxtr with both your mobile and landline phones, and no downloads are required. You can check out this chart to see how jaxtr's rates compare with other providers like Skype.
2. Switch On to Energy Efficient Lighting. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 11% of households' energy budgets go to lighting. New lighting technologies (CFLs and LEDs) can help cut that expense by three fourths to one half. Buying compact fluorescent lights (CFL) can cost extra initially, but the long term savings can make up for it.
3. Get the Most from the Pump. Buying gas in the mornings when the temperature is cool can allow you to get the most money for your fill up. You pay by the volume of the gas, and when it's hotter, the gas expands (i.e. has a bigger volume). So to pack the most gas into your tank, buy it when it's cold outside.
4. Buy Online. Let the Company Ship. Buying gifts online and having the company ship the product can help save on some shipping costs. Check the company's Web site for the items you wish to buy and find out if they have distribution centers in the country to which you'll be shipping your package.
5. Understand Your Taxes. Okay, so this is probably asking a lot, but with dual citizenship, you can be in a position to potentially get taxed twice. This advice is coming from a post on Expat Exchange, which suggests that U.S. expats can alleviate some tax burdens with exemptions such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, Foreign Earned Income and Housing Exclusion - Deduction, and the Foreign Tax Credit.
As leaders around the world grapple with the major financial issues, these tips for saving should help you deal with the money stuff at home. If you've got a few money saving tips, feel free to add them to the comments.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment