Study Shows Eating Out is Cheaper Than Cooking

Several Roswell restaurants are included in the study.

The cost of feeding a family of four has risen from $601.50 in February 2003 to $830.30 in February 2013, a 38 percent increase in ten years, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. GoBankingRates recently investigated the rising food costs, low prices of fast food value menus, as well as special offers from restaurants. What they discovered is that eating out is surprisingly cheaper than cooking. But many question whether it is healthier. Still, when directly comparing the cost of a meal at a restaurant to preparing the same food at home - as reported in MSN.com’s article “Is eating out cheaper than cooking?" - often times the latter ends up costing more - especially if it's made using higher-priced organic items. "When …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (1)

5 Ways to Start Saving Money in the New Year

If your New Year’s resolution is to get your finances in order, these guidelines will help you get started.

In this economy - and especially during this time of year - many of us are facing our very own fiscal cliff. While we may not be able to raise revenue as easily as the federal government can, these five steps may help you reach solvency and put savings in the bank, financial planners say. Once you’re free of debt and ready to grow your savings, you can look to financial services companies for investment advice, including banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo and others), insurers (State Farm, Allianz and others) and brokers (Edward Jones, for example). Good luck!

• Photos (1)

Poll Says Georgians Wiser About Money Matters

Georgia Credit Union Associates reports results of recent poll on saving, credit cards and retirement.

Georgians say they are wiser than they were a year ago when it comes to money matters. According to a recent poll by Duluth-based Georgia Credit Union Affiliates, 71.5 percent of respondents report that they have learned at least one money lesson in the past 12 months. www.gcua.org Respondents say they learned lessons about: Among the popular savings lessons learned are: With credit cards, many consumers have learned to use cards for emergencies only or have chosen to forgo additional charges until the balance is paid in full. Finally, many Georgians have learned the importance of planning now for their retirement years by investing in an employer-supported retirement plan or opening an IRA. Other areas in which people report learning …

• Photos (1)

Spell Check

What To Do Before You Graduate

Tips on grasping the golden summer before growing up.

Everyone who’s ever been eighteen knows that "senioritis" sets in way before May rolls around. But once graduation is done, all you want to do is go back. From dances to decisions, the entire senior year revolves around the next big step in life. However, starting a different life can be as terrifying as it is exciting. The end of the high school era is just the catalyst for the next stage—college or career. So what should you do if you’re graduating in a few weeks and joining the land of adulthood?                 Make some memories. Take part in every end of the year festivity. Soak it all in because you only get to be eighteen once! Plan a themed graduation party for your closest friends. Eat lunch with your classmates and make mischief…

• Photos (1)

Recessionival

2011: The Year of the Side Hustle

Shauntelle explains why she thinks everyone should have a side hustle.

You may not know this about me, but I’m a woman who believes in the side hustle.  For those of you not in the know, “side hustle” is a slang term used to describe a part-time job that you use to earn extra income.  A side hustle is never meant to replace your main job; in fact, you could say a side hustle is the mistress to your main job.  Like having a mistress (something I’m NOT advocating, by the way), having a side hustle only works as long as you can keep your priorities straight.  The minute you lose focus and start putting the side hustle first, things start to fall apart. That said, in my humble opinion, having a side hustle is practically mandatory right now.  This is especially true if you’re living anywhere near “paycheck to …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

S.M.A.R.T. Goals Lead to Financial Success

Understanding and implementing the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting method can boost your chances of achieving your financial goals for 2011.

“Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.” – Seneca If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated or overwhelmed by your finances, today’s column is just for you.  You see, I understand those feelings of frustration.  Every year, for more years than I feel comfortable recounting, I have set myself the goal of getting my finances in order.  Some years I’ve felt that I came closer to accomplishing that than others, but I’ve never really felt successful in terms of financial management. That changed when my writing mentor introduced me to the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting method.  First introduced in the 1985 publication of the book “Leadership and the One Minute …

Spell Check

What To Do When You Borrow Money from a Friend

Tips on building financial character credit with your friends.

Sometimes just one step above a desperate deal with a loan shark, is borrowing money from the dicey bank called "friends." It might just be a concert ticket or gas money, but a simple helping hand from the wrong person can result in a new circle of friends. Not to worry, though, it is easy to sidestep the awkward elephant in the room by using these time-tested methods in the payback madness.        Beg, Borrow and Barter. Make sure you BOTH understand the terms. A friend might have paid for a baseball ticket bundle, but you just don't have the cash to pay for your ticket. Offer to buy them ballpark peanuts and crackerjacks or dinner afterwards as a way to settle up. Be sure you agree that swapping equal value items is acceptable payback…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Deena C. Spell

7:12 pm on Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Yes, I have several I haven't paid back, as well! It's on my list of where my winning the lottery money will go one day!   more ›