Solar Powered Weapons!

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10 Websites & Apps to Save Money This Valentine’s Day

As Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, many people are looking for ways to save money on great gifts for their valentine. However, it can be difficult to find deals on quality merchandise at a time of year when stores notoriously charge more. Fortunately, technologically savvy shoppers can enjoy these ten websites and iPhone applications when looking for the perfect gifts that won’t break their bank.

Top Financial Apps for the iPad

All of the hoopla is leveling out about Apple’s new iPad. I like them and would really like one. There I said it.

Here’s some cool financial apps you can download to the iPad:

E*TRADE Mobile Pro – Keep an eye on your investments, stay on top of the news, and get real-time quotes with E*TRADE on iPad. The large screen makes it easy to see everything you need to know about your portfolio. And you can trade with a tap from anywhere. E*TRADE on iPad makes it easier to manage your money on the go.

The Wall Street Journal – Read the Wall Street Journal on iPad and soak up news from around the globe, everywhere you go. In-depth analysis, real-time quotes, and video — all your favorite sections of the Journal are here — and they’re even better on iPad. The large display shows you an entire page of award-winning news. You can even customize this app to get only the news you want, when you want it.

These are just 2 of the prominent apps for the iPad. There’s a ton more here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/mobile-software-applications/id6015?mt=8

Money Saving Tip of the Day: Switch to LPG

Want to know how to save a lot of money week to week on one of your highest expenses? Read this quote from David Purchase of VACC.

“There has been a lot of recent industry and media discussion regarding alternative fuels and electric powered vehicles in particular. VACC can see the potential of plug-in vehicles, but they are for the future, especially when you consider re-charging networks and training courses for repairers still need to be addressed. But LPG is for the now. It is viable, environmentally friendly and the technology and infrastructure is proven,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

So, either buy a full LPG car or convert your current vehicle to LPG. The cost for the LPG gas is less than half of unleaded petrol and diesel. LPG doesn’t fluctuate as much as as unleaded. Plus the shopper dockets, rewards credit cards such as the BP-Citibank credit card help to lower the cost even further.

The Boom of Social Sites [Infographic]

Boom of Social Sites Infographic via the Focus FYI blog

One Dollar More: Personal Finance Posts for November

Another post on One Dollar More where I point out some of the best personal finance stories and posts which I have come across in November:

10 Simple Tips for Saving Up a House Deposit

There is no question that there are property deals to be had right now with homes more affordable than in a long time, especially for the first time buyer. But there is a catch. Banks willing to give out mortgages are requiring larger deposits. Check out the 10 Simple Tips for Saving Up A House Deposit from Money Hacker.

Travel Hacking for Noobs: How We Save Hundreds on Airfare, Get Free Accommodation, & Make Money while Overseas

Matt from Man vs Debt blogs on his advanced travel hacking and how that, contrary to popular belief, saving money on the road is actually quite simple.

Making Cash From Trash: The Recycled Art of Clare Graham

The unusual yet compelling art of Clare Graham is testament to the belief ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’.

3 Stocks With High-Quality Growth

Growth is scarce at the moment. About three-quarters of companies in the S&P 500 index have issued financial results for the third-quarter reporting season. Read Jack Hough’s 3 Stocks With High-Quality Growth on Smart Money.

4 Home Improvements that Can Boost the Value of Your Home

While you can’t really expect to get 100% ROI on home improvements, read the four that can give a respectable return on Personal Finance Corner written by Miranda Marquit when you go to sell your home.

Writing an Awesome Personal Executive Summary

Great post on Financial Fizzle on how to write a great executive summary is to live up to its namesake by providing a short, broad overview of the entire plan. It’s a quick reference to its contents, and many parts of it may be completed even after the rest of the plan is written.

The Great Big List Of 75 Budgeting Tools, Finance Softwares And Iphone Money Apps

One of the most important things when it comes to personal finance is taking control of your money, instead of allowing it to control you. Read the post on Bible Money Matters.

Why My Friday Was a Financial Disaster

Friday should have been a wonderful day for me: early finish from work had been planned, chance of some good surf, and dinner at home with my wife.

However, it wasn’t to be.

Work royally sucked: it was very, very busy and it was stressful, so much so that I didn’t get to leave work early as I was supposed to do. So busy in fact, that I forgot to move my car from a clearway. I have ended up with a $197 fine which I have no chance of avoiding. So here comes a nasty little expense for my credit card.

Friday was a financial disaster – I really should have stayed in bed.

So here I am, I admit that I was remiss in not moving my car from the clearway (sorry to all the commuters who had to dodge my car) but I’m protesting the egregious size of the fine! $197 for a simple parking offense is excessive. I’m guilty for a parking offense and I will pay it but North Sydney Council are guilty of robbery.

Rant over.

One Dollar More: Personal Finance Picks for October

In lieu of writing my own blog post I thought I’d post on One Dollar More with my top personal finance blog picks from October.

Billshrink VC Firms [Infographic]

“Where’s the money? Here’s a look at where the most active VC firms in the US are and the biggest deals have been made. Venture funding increased during the third quarter over the first two quarters of 2009, but is still down 33 percent from one year ago.” Link

11 Incredible Homes From Around the World for Under $50K

“No doubt there will be a few reading ready to point out the error in the title. Surely, it’s a mistake? Homes for less than 50K? No way! But yet, it’s true.” Link

92 Quotes About Debt That’ll Make You Think, Laugh, & Tweet!

“A passionate quote can provoke thought, encourage laughter, or inspire thousands into action.” Link from Man vs Debt

Contest: Free Access to a Resume Service

There’s a contest on over at Miranda Marquit’s Yielding Wealth blog where one lucky winner will win a free resume CV consultation. With the news that unemployment is up, and the likelihood that we will be seeing a jobless recovery increasing each week, your ability to get a job becomes important. Enter it if you need to brush up that resume.

20 Signs Your Personal Finances Are In Tatters

“It’s payday next week, and the time just isn’t going quick enough. You’ve already earmarked a dozen things you want to buy, and then there’s those nights out with your mates you planned – now you can finally afford a few drinks… or can you?” Link

The 3 Categories of Money: Earn, Spend and Give

Money, its such a big subject but its something that we all need to understand better than we do and its something that i want to be able to teach to my kids.

There are basically only 3 categories of money; earning money (or ‘obtaining’ it), spending money and giving money away.

These are the 3 basic areas of personal finance I want to think about in this blog post.  If you’re like most people you will think you’re not earning enough, you spend too much and you need to work on giving your money away to church, charity or friends in need.

Earning Money

Doesn’t matter how you phrase it, this is the bringing in of money which means getting a job. Your income, believe it or not is the most important part of the personal finance equation and you have to protect your income if you’re ever going to getting out of dodge.

Spending Money

What do you spend your money on? Groceries, latte’s, rent, loan repayments, fuel, clothes, holidays, miscellaneous expenses. The list goes on and on. The simple truth is that if you are going to be wise with your money you should never be spending more than you earn, nor anywhere close. Dave Ramsey, for instance, would teach that you shouldn’t be spending more than 1/3% of your take home (post tax) pay on home loan repayments otherwise you’ll become ‘house poor’ i.e only able to afford the house but having nothing left over for perks, holidays, little treats and of course giving money.

Giving Money

How do you perform in the giving department? Do you give you charity? Are you generous with your money? Or are you like a lot of people who are sticklers for giving?

My post is over for tonight. Hope thats been something worth reading.

Shopaholics: Five Common Traits of a Compulsive Shopper

The top five traits of a shopaholic are somewhat comedic when you consider this person shops for items that are of no use. This is a compulsive behavior attributed to 1 out of every 20 people. It is not limited to one gender, but affects men and women equally. The most famous stash is probably the clothes and shoes found in the closet of Imelda Marcos. Mary Todd Lincoln had over 84 pairs of gloves. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana had huge wardrobes of clothes. William Randolph Hearst collected expensive and eccentric art, antiques, tile and stone.

Inner Self of the Shopaholic

The average person shops for items they need, except during festive seasons when they are buying gifts for others. Think of the shopaholic as an average shopper on steroids. Shopaholics are addicted to the rush they get from shopping. They need the same rush that a gambler gets when let loose in a casino, the rush of a drunk who cannot stay out of the local pub or the person who drops into every lottery station hoping for a miracle.