Monday, July 13, 2009

The Five Top Money Saving Myths

By Rich Clower

We all think we do the best we can when it comes to our finances. We think we are saving money, but we never sit down and do math. You may be surprised if you do.

Here are the top five money-saving myths that fall for:

1. Sales shopping saves money

Having money in a savings account for emergencies is a good idea. It is easy to obtain, but not too easy. But if you want to save money or make your money work for you, old-fashioned savings account is not necessarily the best way to go. First, you should look at what give in interest rates. For example, if you have a student loan with 5 percent interest rate and savings account to 3% interest rate, your savings have cost you about 2 percent. You would be better off paying off that student loan with savings account.

It goes the other way around too. If your debt is less than the interest rate on your savings, your money works better savings. But with today's interest rates are so low, your debt is probably higher than the amount of interest earned on your savings account. This means that they are actually losing money.

2. Savings depend on income

When you refinance your home, you surely are not saving that much money in the long term. Yes, your monthly payments are lower, but you refinanced for another 30-year term. This means that if you have already paid 10 years of the mortgage, then refinance for a further 30 have essentially extended its credit to 40-year mortgage. Sit and do math and you'll see if they are really saving anything.

3. Savings accounts save us money

Having money in a savings account for emergencies is a good idea. It is easy to obtain, but not too easy. But if you want to save money or make your money work for you, old-fashioned savings account is not necessarily the best way to go. First, you should look at what give in interest rates. For example, if you have a student loan with 5 percent interest rate and savings account to 3% interest rate, your savings have cost you about 2 percent. You would be better off paying off that student loan with savings account.

It goes the other way around too. If your debt is less than the interest rate on your savings, your money works better savings. But with today's interest rates are so low, your debt is probably higher than the amount of interest earned on your savings account. This means that they are actually losing money.

If you really want to save money, refinance to lower rates and a shorter period. Your monthly payment may not come down, but the discharge in May

4. Zero percent interest rate saves money

When you take the card with zero percent repayment term, you're saving money. You are only delaying payments for items. You can not save and not spend more. But if you do not pay the money back within the zero percent period, will pay interest on those items. This will cost you money.

5. Savings depend on income

When you take the card with zero percent repayment term, you're saving money. You are only delaying payments for items. You can not save and not spend more. But if you do not pay the money back within the zero percent period, will pay interest on those items. This will cost you money.

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