7 Ways to Make Your Savings Grow Faster Automatically

Having trouble putting money aside? Here are some systems to put in place so you can amass cash without thinking too much.

What are you saving money for?

European vacation? Kids' college tuition? An emergency fund for a natural disaster, disease, or job layoff? Or maybe you're dreaming of the perfect retirement.

Sometimes we do better at saving our money; other times it's tough. Collectively in June, the latest month for which figures are available, we socked away $646.3 billion, or 4.8 percent of our disposable income, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. That rate was up slightly from May but was less than half of its 25-year peak of 11 percent in December 2012.

How much did you put away? Not so much?

"If you have trouble putting money aside in a savings account, maybe the solution is to stop struggling and put things on autopilot," says Money Talks News financial expert Stacy Johnson.

Here are seven tips from Stacy and others to get you going, whatever you're saving for.

1. Pay yourself first. Payroll deduction is the single best idea and one of the oldest. Have money automatically taken out of your paycheck and transferred to a savings or retirement account. See if your employer allows you to directly deposit your paycheck to multiple accounts.

If you can pay your bills on your current income, send any additional income from raises, bonuses, cash awards, or other windfalls straight to savings, too. If your air conditioner conks out or it's time to take that cruise, you'll have a nice sum of money waiting for you in the bank.

2. Round up your savings. Some banks, including Bank of America, have programs that automatically round up debit-card purchases and then transfers that amount to your savings account. For example, say your tall, half-caf, non-fat vanilla latte costs $3.50, your bill would be rounded up to $4; the extra 50 cents would be deposited into your savings account. So essentially you get a treat now and "keep the change" yourself to save toward another treat later. That act alone daily would build to a painless $182.50 over the course of one year.

3. We all could use a little change. The low-tech version of the round-up program is stashing your spare change at the end of each day. Keep it in a jar, mug, glass, or piggy bank. When your container is full, or on a set schedule, you can turn that change into a bank deposit. Stacy says he turbo-charges this plan by stashing singles as well as coins.

Coinstar will exchange your coins free if you accept your money loaded onto an egift card from sponsoring partners such as AMC Theaters, The Gap, Sephora, or Toys R Us. That won't raise your savings account balance, but it will give you the opportunity to save your spare change for a special item.

4. Pay with cash. You'll have more cash to stash, too, if you pay with real dollar bills, 5s, 10s, and 20s when you shop. Using cash automatically makes you spend less compared to plastic. An oft-quoted Dunn & Bradstreet's study says people spend 12 to 18 percent more when using credit cards instead of cash. McDonald's says a credit card user's average ticket is $7, but cash customers usually spend only $4.50.

Why? If you're worried about schlepping back to the ATM to reload your wallet, you will be less tempted to spend more cash than you planned. You'll be more inclined to pass on a higher-end model of a product you already intended to buy; also, you'll stick to your shopping list and resist in-store temptations to buy more items than you intended.

5. Make charging rewarding. If you must use a charge card, use one that offers cashback or rewards. Then you're earning cash or equivalents without effort.

You can check out who's got the right card for you in the Money Talks Solutions Center.

6. Bank your discounts. What do you do with all the money you save buying bargains? Check your receipts. Most now conveniently tell you how much you saved on a sale item vs. its regular price, or how much you saved by redeeming coupons. Add them up. Did you buy a cheaper generic and save a bundle over a name brand? Track the difference.

Make it a habit to reward yourself by placing all the money saved from those bargains in your savings account.

7. Automate your transfers. Check with your bank or credit union about how to set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. This is another way of making sure you pay yourself first. You can even set up sub-accounts and label them for special goals, like college or a new car fund.

Now that your savings are on automatic, relax, and watch your balance grow.

11 Pearls of Financial Wisdom From Jim Cramer

Jim Cramer is one of the most recognizable investing experts and makes a living offering energetic stock-picking advice each weekday on CNBC'sMad Money. The former hedge fund manager has a lot to say about how and where to invest your cash. He may not be a perfect investor (who is?), but he offers some sound, common-sense tips for anyone looking to place some money in the markets.

Here are 11 pieces of financial wisdom from Cramer, gleaned from his TV appearances, books, and interviews.

1. Invest in Stocks

If there is one piece of investment advice that Cramer touts more than any other, it's that stocks hold the key to wealth. His CNBC show, Mad Money, is entirely based on offering stock-picking advice. In his view, only stocks — and by extension, many mutual funds and ETFs — can someone amass enough wealth to retire comfortably.

2. Get Out of Debt

Cramer has noted repeatedly that it makes little sense to invest your money in the stock market when you have high-interest credit cards to pay off. "You're just not going to be able to generate returns that are consistently high enough to cancel out the sky-high interest rates that most [credit] cards carry," he told viewers in 2013.

3. Get Health Insurance

There are many young people who've decided to pay the Obamacare penalty rather than buy insurance, based on the notion that they are healthy and can live without insurance. This is a mistake, Cramer says. "One serious illness, a couple hospital visits, and you can kiss all the capital you've spent years building in the market goodbye," he said.

4. Don't Believe Everything You Hear on Television

Yes, Jim Cramer, the host of his own television show, actually said that. "I think you are naive if you simply believe what you hear. The vetting process to get on television simply isn't all that rigorous," he wrote in his book, Jim Cramer's Real Money.

5. Understand Bonds

Cramer is a stock lover but acknowledges that bonds can be an important part of many retirement portfolios. And, he says that if you don't grasp the mechanics and influence of bonds, you won't be as successful when picking stocks. "If you don't understand how bonds work, I think you will not be able to make nearly as much money as if you do," he wrote.

6. Don't Be Emotional

On his television show Mad Money, Cramer doesn't exactly come off as a cool and level-headed guy. But the truth is that he knows that research and reason drive sensible investing. "Emotion has to be checked at the door in this business," he wrote in Real Money.

7. Have Patience

Like many successful investors, including Warren Buffett, Cramer is a proponent of finding value. And that means that patience will play a big role in your success. "I see so many people throwing in the towel on companies that have real assets and real worth just because they aren't working now, and it angers me," he wrote.

8. Keep It Simple

Cramer's discussion of stocks can be bewildering to the new investor. But he recommends getting back to basics if you have a relatively limited amount of money to invest. On June 21, a Twitter follower asked Cramer what to do with just $300. "First 10 thousand goes into an index fund," he replied.

9. Give Wealth Back

In Cramer's view, it's not enough just to get rich. You need to do something with your money, by either giving it to charity or building new ventures. "If you get rich, and there is a good chance you will, try to give back, not just in charity but create something, a company that can grow," he told Forbes Magazine in 2014. "Invest in something new. I have helped start six businesses. Those have provided food, roofs over peoples' heads, and health care."

10. Invest Early for Retirement

Cramer has often told the story of how he lived in his car in the late 1970s but still managed to put $1,500 into a retirement account. Think of what that investment is worth now. Cramer is a huge proponent of using 401(k) plans and Roth IRAs to build retirement wealth with tax advantages.

11. Do the Work

If you want to pick winning stocks, Cramer says, you have to sweat for it a little. That means parsing earnings reports carefully. It means listening to investor conference calls. It means reading independent research reports. The good news is that all of these resources are readily available. "I have resources you don't have, but they are way overvalued compared to the information I glean from public information about stocks," he wrote in his latest book, Get Rich Carefully.

Have you gleaned any enduring lessons from Jim Cramer? Please share in the comments! 

Source:http://www.wisebread.com/11-pearls-of-financial-wisdom-from-jim-cramer?ref=relatedbox

Types Of Credit Cards In Malaysia

Credit cards in Malaysia can be categorised into six broad categories. The right card for you depends largely on your spending habits and your attitude to debt.

Cashback

The concept of a cashback card is simple – for every Ringgit you spent, you receive a percentage back in cash at the end of every month or quarter. The cashback (or rebate) percentage varies from card to card and is normally between 0.5% and 3% (although some cards offer up to 20% in rebates).

Should you get one?

They typically have high-interest rates. Most of them have in place a cap (or maximum limits) on rebates. However, if you’re generally a large spender and are always able to pay off your card balance in full, a cashback card could help you earn money back on your spending.

Rewards

Rewards cards let you earn reward points when you spend. These reward points can then be used to redeem a wide range of goods and services. Typically, you earn one reward point for every Ringgit spent on your card.

Should you get one?

Using a rewards card could be a great way of saving money, as most rewards card issuers do not set a cap or maximum limit on the number of reward points you can earn. By using this card on your everyday purchases (and big-ticket items like flight tickets), you can potentially rack up many points without much effort.

Petrol 

Petrol cards are designed specifically for people who spend a lot of time on the road. These cards normally come with great petrol benefits, including rebates or cashback on fuel, as well as discounts at petrol stations.

Should you get one?

If you spend a significant amount of money on petrol each month, having a petrol card could potentially save you a lot of money in the long term.

Travel 

Travel cards are reward-based cards which allow you to earn points or air miles from different frequent flyer programmes when used for purchases. Some also offer discounts on travel packages or flight tickets.

Should you get one?

If you’re a frequent traveller, and already are a member of a frequent flyer or travel loyalty programme (e.g. Enrich, Krisflyer or AirAsia), having one may be a good way to speed up the accumulation of loyalty points.

Premium

Premium cards offer cardholders premium benefits like concierge service, dining and golf privileges, lounge access and more. These cards normally have a much higher minimum income requirement (some may even be invitation-only cards), but they also come with a much larger credit limit.

Should you get one?

Having a premium card will no doubt bring many premium benefits and privileges, like discounts at your favourite five-star restaurant, however, they can also cost a lot of money. Premium cards often charge annual fees in the hundreds of ringgit, although standard annual fee waiver programmes may also be available.

Speciality and co-branded

Speciality cards are the “catch-all” category. These cards are normally designed for a specific segment or target niche. For example, some offer exclusive discounts to movie tickets, while others provide great health and medical benefits.

Should you get one?

Speciality cards are tailored to specific groups of individuals (e.g. frequent movie-goers, lady shoppers or even insurance agents). If you find that you belong to one of these niche groups, having such a card can be very rewarding.

Final note 

There are more than 200 credit cards in Malaysia, and choosing the one that best suits your needs can be very challenging. If you’re in the market for one, you can compare and apply for the best one through our credit card application online site.

Source; https://www.imoney.my/articles/types-of-credit-cards-in-malaysia

Save on Income Tax by Spending on These 5 Items

The saying goes that you have to spend money in order to make it. Taking that little nugget of wisdom for a twist; it is true that in income tax at least; spending money can save you money when it is time to file!

We all are now aware of the fact that income tax reliefs and rebates exist but few actually take the effort to claim these reliefs. Why not claim something that is in existence for your benefit? Well, mostly it is because you didn't file all the receipts!

We at Ringgitplus have talked about last-minute spending to save on income tax but how much more can you save by planning a little earlier? Like right now? Last-minute action drastically reduces the number of reliefs you can spend on to be eligible so, it's time to get cracking!

Even if the last thing on your mind right now is income tax filing for 2015; keep these 5 spending items in mind and horde those receipts!

Get Educated

It's hard to enroll for any course or certification in December as you rush to meet tax deadlines - but you can from now till December. Education fees up to RM5,000 are allowed reliefs so now may be the time to take that post-graduate you always wanted.

Even if nothing so fancy; maybe that certification in Microsoft Excel so you can finally figure out how the sum button works? We don't know but if you're getting educated and a tax relief out of it - it's probably worth pursuing.

Insure Yourself

There are a lot of things that could go wrong with your health. Just Google any symptom you have and you'll probably find that the possibilities range from nothing to fatal cancer.

We're sorry to be flippant but the truth is one really never does know, and with private hospitals charging RM11,000 for a dengue case (true story); you'd need a hefty donation to be able to afford medical fees today.

Insurance, especially for medical claims is important and even more so because you can claim tax relief of up to RM3,000 per year on premiums paid. You're welcome.

Psst: Clueless about policies? Check out our medical card insurance policy comparison page to 

find the most competitive package.

Get Yourself Checked

Quite linked to the point above; many insurance underwriters will require you to present yourself for medical checks to ensure you are not lying on the application form.

Kill two birds with one stone (probably not the best metaphor) by getting a full medical check this year thus satisfying your insurance underwriter and earning tax relief. Call your local GP and have him pull out the X-rays, ECGs, Ultrasounds, and syringes because you're going to get yourself checked!

Medical checks are tax exempted for up to RM500 yearly so tell your doctor to cap the bill to that amount.

Donate, Donate, Donate

Donations have been popping up in the news lately but not for the right reasons. How about countering the bad rep the word has received by giving to someone truly in need and saving on your income tax?

According to our friends at Savemoney:

...you can deduct up to 7% of your Taxable Income for gifts to charities and institutions which are approved by the government (not all charities are approved, so be sure to find out before you donate away!), unless you are giving to a few selected government-related bodies, where there is less restrictions on the amount deductible from your income.

Find a charity that fits the bill and donate religiously until the end of the year. As long as it is within the 7% threshold - you're good for a deduction! What's even better is that you get the absolute satisfaction of donating to a good cause.

Contribute Voluntarily to PRS

At first sight of this item on the relief list, we wondered how one can involuntarily contribute but brush aside the comical image of a PRS officer threatening contributors at gunpoint.

Nonetheless, deciding to contribute to an additional retirement fund is not only good for your senior years; it's good for your wallet next year too. You can claim relief of up to RM3,000 for contributions made into PRS.

If you're wondering what the scheme is about; check out our guide and comparison to EPF.

Of course, these are just some of the big-ticket items you can do right now. As listed in our last-minute spending for tax reduction article; you could also buy more books at Big Bad Wolf, get some sporting equipment (no, the Wii version of exercise does not count), or buy a new laptop.

There is also an RM1,000 relief for each child under 18 but we left that out as it may be a tad difficult (re: impossible) to make another child in 5 months. Also, it's not really saving when you think about how fast RM1,000 will run out on diapers alone.

Have we missed a relief or do you have a plan of action to save on tax? Let us know in the comments.

Source:https://ringgitplus.com/en/blog/Personal-Finance-News/Save-on-Income-Tax-by-Spending-on-These-5-Items.html

5 Times Credit Cards Are Smarter Than Cash

Alamy

We've all heard the admonishments about over-reliance on credit cards. If you don't dutifully pay-off your bill in full every month, debt can quickly mount, and wreck your budget — along with your credit.

Assuming you use credit prudently, however, it can often be a better bet than cash. In fact, the benefits of careful credit card usage are so great, that they often outweigh the simplicity of cash. Here are five solid reasons why credit cards can make more financial sense than cash.

1. They're Safer Than Cash

There are some who feel that cash is safer than cards, but what happens when your cash is stolen or misplaced? There is no getting it back. There is 100% liability on your end and all is lost. Credit cards, on the other hand, offer myriad protections, giving you peace of mind when your card is lost or stolen. You're also able to track purchases and spending more efficiently, and spot fraud or card misuse.

Sure, hackers can steal your credit card information, and a lost card presents challenges of its own. But there's no financial institution ready to help when you lose cash. Credit cards come with the backing and help of professional staff trained and equipped to handle such situations.

2. They Help Build Credit

As much as we fear over-using credit, not having any credit can have its own repercussions. Lack of credit can hamper your ability to take out necessary loans (such as auto loans or mortgages) and even limit more basic things, such as rental car options. Have you ever thought about renting a car, but all you had was a debit card or cash? From my experience, many companies such as Hertz or Enterprise will do a soft credit check to see if you are eligible for the rental. Plus, having established credit also gives you a shot at better interest rates and expedites approvals on loans. 

3. You Can Earn Cash Back or Travel Rewards

Many credit card companies offer cash back incentives — some as much as 6% on grocery purchases, or even 5% on shopping purchases. Cashback incentives add up and you'd be amazed after 90 days just how much cash back you've earned. That cash is yours to keep — no strings attached. (Check out one of our favorites: Citi Double Cash Card)

A travel rewards credit card can get you even more value from your purchases. Redeem your earned miles for free flights, stays, and upgrades. In addition, many cards include travel perks like priority boarding, exclusive lounge access, free checked baggage, and more. (Check out our favorite travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred)

4. There Are Insurance Protections

Credit cards also offer insurance perks. Just by using your credit card you have access to multiple insurance options, such as supplemental insurance, lost luggage insurance, travel and accident insurance, and more. Plus, some credit card companies also give you the ability to halt or reduce payments during periods of change or difficulty — such as a relocation, new baby, new job, unemployment, or death in the family.

5. Cards Offer Purchase Tracking and Customer Service

Credit cards enable you to more efficiently track your purchases, and let you dispute payments should problems arise. Plus, credit card companies' customer service hours extend well beyond those of your local bank branch, allowing you to resolve issues at any time. And though ATMs can be used 24 hours a day, for larger purchases, credit cards facilitate bigger spending at any time of day.

When else do you prefer to use cards over cash?

Source:https://www.wisebread.com/5-times-credit-cards-are-smarter-than-cash

5 Ways to Keep Hackers Away From Your Money

A Hacker

Start by rethinking your password strategy.

JPMorgan Chase, Domino’s, Home Depot, P.F. Chang’s, eBay — the list of targets continues to grow.

Information breaches that would have been difficult to fathom years ago are now common. And people are rightfully worried. After all, if the federal government can get hacked and its employees’ data stolen, how vulnerable is a personal account held at a bank or brokerage?

My friend Jack Vonder Heide, president of Technology Briefing Centers and one of America’s leading authorities on technology-related risks, says the image of cyber attackers as hipster kids in a basement hacking into websites for fun is a dangerous misconception. Cybercriminals, he says, are highly educated operatives of well-funded overseas groups, mostly based in China and Russia.

So what actions can you take to protect yourself in what feels like an endless battle to keep your data secure? Here are five steps to consider:

1. Diversify your passwords — and change them

For convenience’s sake, people often use the same password across multiple websites. Big mistake. It’s like giving an intruder a key that opens every lock. You want to make it extremely tough for a hacker to access your sensitive information. To create a different password for every financial website — brokerage, bank, credit card, mortgage account, and so on. Create unique password combinations that include letters, numbers, and, if possible, symbols. Establish a biannual schedule to change them. Security must be an ongoing endeavor.

2. Use an online password manager

All those hard-to-crack passwords can be a nightmare to try to store, recall, and keep secure, so use a reputable password manager. The best managers include password generators that create strong, unique choices. Most password managers allow you to sync your passwords across all electronic devices, making it easy to maintain multiple passwords. Select one that includes two-layer authentication for additional protection. Check out PC Mag’s best password manager selections for 2015. Many come with an annual fee — but they’re affordable and worthy protection against hackers.

3. Make life hard for crooks

Cross-shredding confidential documents, avoiding simplistic passwords, and keeping sensitive information off of unsecured channels like email are modest but effective actions. Thoroughly checking credit statements for suspicious activity and being aware of your surroundings when using ATMs are basic security measures that remain effective. Don’t let your guard down.

4. Check your credit reports at least annually

Periodically checking your credit report is a smart way to stay ahead of the bad guys — but many people don’t because of common misconceptions, such as the belief that you have to pay a fee to see your report, or you must subscribe to a service.

The fact is, federal law entitles you to a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three consumer credit reporting bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. You can get these reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you want to be especially vigilant, spread out your requests, so that you are looking at a different report every four months instead of all three at once every year. Increasing the frequency will help you catch suspicious inquiries earlier since credit activity customarily gets reported to all three bureaus.

The goal is to check for discrepancies, inconsistencies, and inaccuracies that might suggest identity theft. It’s not difficult to correct errors. The credit bureaus have improved their service and request response times. The Federal Trade Commission provides easy-to-follow instructions to dispute errors.

5. Keep your guard up when it comes to e-mails

Be wary of any email that requires you to click on a hyperlink to update a password or confirm confidential material. Such e-mails are often “phishing” expeditions seeking to scam you. They appear to come from your bank or brokerage firm, an online retailer — even the IRS.

The best rule to follow is that regardless of how real an e-mail looks, never click on such links. Contact the alleged sender’s customer service or fraud department directly to check the legitimacy of the email. Don’t use the phone numbers provided in the suspect email. Always use the contact information provided on your monthly statement or listed on the company’s website. It’s also advisable to forward the email to an organization’s fraud department.

What about inquiries from the IRS? That’s easy. The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communication through email or other electronic channels, period.

It’s understandable to feel helpless in the age of smart criminals who conduct endless assaults on privacy. But simply putting the threat out of mind is no solution. Nor is deciding that it can’t happen to you.

Personal Finance: 10 Ways to Become Financially Independent

After the 2008 economic crisis, many people assumed they would never be able to reach true financial independence – the ability to live comfortably off one’s savings and investments with no debt whatsoever.

However, individuals willing to use their time horizon to plan and adjust their spending, savings, and investment behaviors might just find financial independence is possible. Here are 10 ideas to get started.

1. Visualize first, then plan. Start by considering what your vision of financial independence actually looks like – and then get a reality check. Qualified financial experts can examine your current financial circumstances, listen to what financial independence means to you, and help you craft a plan. The path to financial independence may be considerably different at age 20 than it is at age 50; the more time you have to save and invest generally produces a better outcome. But at any age, start with a realistic picture of your options.

2. Budget. Budgeting (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/budgeting/) – the process of tracking income, subtracting expenses, and deciding how to divert the difference to your goals each month – is the essential first task of personal finance. If you haven’t learned to budget, you need to do so.

3. Spend less than you earn. It might be obvious, but it’s one of the most difficult financial behaviors to execute. Adhering to a lower standard of living and expenses will help you put more money into savings and investments sooner.

4. Build smarter safety nets. Emergency funds and insurance are rarely discussed in combination. The traditional definition of an emergency fund is a separate account for cash that can be used instead of credit to repair a broken appliance or other expenses that may run a few hundred dollars. However, many people keep insurance deductibles high to keep premiums low. Would you have enough cash on hand to cover an insurance deductible if you had a sudden claim? If not, build your deductible amounts into your emergency fund.

5. Eliminate debt. Though consumer debt levels have generally fallen since the 2008 financial crisis, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported in February that home, student loan, auto, and credit card debt began creeping up again in 2014. Getting rid of revolving, non-housing debt (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/costofcredit) is one of the most effective ways to free up money for savings and investment.

6. Consider your career. Financial independence doesn’t require you to quit a career you love, but you really can’t get to financial independence without a steady income to fuel savings and investments that will build over time. Speak with qualified advisors about your income, benefits, and retirement picture first, and see if you might be able to expand your sources of work-related income, such as consulting part-time. Also keep in mind that over the age of 50, the Internal Revenue Service allows you to make catch-up contributions to both 401(k) and IRA accounts.

7. Downsize. You’ll generally reach wealth financial goals faster if you can cut your overall living expenses. For some, that means selling your home and moving to a smaller one or to an area with lower living costs and taxes. You can also sell or donate property you don’t need and use those proceeds to extinguish debt or add to savings or investments.

8. Invest frugally. Become a student of investment fees and commissions because they can cut significantly into your principal. Make a full evaluation of fees you are paying on every investment account you have and if you’re working with a licensed professional who sells you financial products, know what fees they’re charging for their investment and advisory services.

9. Buy assets that generate income. Stocks, real estate, collectibles, or cash investments all have up and down markets. But do your homework and focus on investments bought at attractive prices that are likely to appreciate over time. Also, don’t forget to study the tax ramifications of any investment transaction you make.

10. Always know where you are financially. Financial planning isn’t about making one set of financial decisions and assuming you’re set. Lives and situations change and your financial planning must be flexible enough to withstand both positive and negative changes without derailing your hopes for financial independence. If your forte is not investment, financial planning, or tax matters, by all means, bring in qualified experts to help. But financially independent people generally have their money issues at their fingertips not only for their own use but for estate purposes as well.

Bottom line: Financial independence involves diligence and a bit of sacrifice, but even the smallest moves can yield big outcomes.

Source:http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/opinion/personal-finance-ways-to-become-financially-independent/article_b723796d-0916-55e0-ad41-36cda386557d.html