Free 13" MacBook Air Giveaway!

Something for nothing...well this is pretty close. I'm always looking for another opportunity to save a little money. Head on over to the PennyHoarder by fellow blogger Kyle Taylor to enter for your chance to win a 13" MacBook Air. Entering is FREE and easy. The contest ends July 31st, 2013 so don't wait to get your entries.

Follow this link to enter

There you will find other great ideas on money saving, investing and earning. It has proven to be a wealth of knowledge and even helped to thicken my wallet a little.

$25 Free with Betterment!!

Some people search the ground fearlessly for loose change while others put their hard earned green to use. Investors and savers watch their money grow over time as the market continues to improve. Why not kick-start your investment by collecting your $25 dollars for FREE!

To qualify:

1. Follow this link to open your new savings account at no cost
2. Deposit $500 and leave it alone for 60 days
3. Get $25 FREE deposited into your account!

It's your money and once you have your gift, you can remove funds or continue investing for your future. Betterment offers a simple solution to the novice investor who doesn't have time to diversify their portfolio. It's a quick way to decide how much you want to invest and your portfolio is allocated for you with you in the driver seat collecting the benefits.

Finding Pocket Change in Your Inbox!

When was the last time you got paid to read your email? Not everyone can say that they do and now you can join the ranks of those who do. Inbox Dollars is a unique marketing platform that pays users to complete surveys, play games and read emails!

In fact, Inbox Dollars is so user friendly that they are offering $5 FREE when you sign up for FREE! It's a win-win situation that allows you to make a little extra cash in your free time.

This is not a get rich quick type of gig, but one that will buy your dinner here and there, ultimately lightening the load on your already over-burdened wallet. Just follow this link to Inbox Dollars or scan the code below and you can be on your way to finding more pocket change than you knew was possible.
 

Morning Star Tastiness

 

This was a tasty opportunity to participate in trialing a veggie burger that promises to entertain taste buds. 

As a BzzAgent I get to participate in various campaigns where I receive products or coupons to test and share. This particular campaign was full of flavor and filled my belly at the same time! 

No beef, hearty vegetables with a little spice to make things nice. Easy enough to cook in a couple minutes which makes dinner time simplified. So if you're looking for sandwich alternatives that promise healthy outcomes, consider a veggie burger. If you're interested in testing products and sharing your thoughts on them, become a BzzAgent today!

Dream House

Thanks to Erasmo Cortez

When I bought my house I stretched my money so far to the limit that I wasn’t sure I would be able to afford any of the extras. Most of my friends and family thought that I should wait for a cheaper house to come along, but I loved this one. It was newly renovated just the way I wanted, and it was just out of my price range. After I looked at it I couldn’t get it out of my head. None of the other houses I saw even compared. I decided to go for it and hope that everything worked out in the end. I was able to negotiate a lower price, and things haven’t been as bad as I thought they would be. I love my new house, and the only thing I have had to do without is cable. I am finally getting to the point that I think I can afford to finally connect it. I went to Cabletelevision.net to see if I could get a good deal, and I was happy to see that I would be able to afford one of the basic passages. I am so glad I didn’t pass up this house.

Online Discount Deals

I have been impressed to find so many companies following the Groupon model: offer a great deal at half the price or better. Companies find new customers and customers get a fantastic savings. The other latest offerings have been from Google Offers, Amazon Local and Living Social (Facebook Deals is no longer functioning). No matter what your interest, there is something for everyone.

Looking for great food, auto or entertainment deals now? Check out Groupon Now. Purchasing the deal only reserves your coupon. If you don't redeem it by the deadline, you get your money back no questions asked.

Want to get away at an unbeatable price? Visit Groupon Getaways, a Groupon partnership with Expedia travel. Many include accommodations, travel expenses and meals. If you are lucky the airfare might be tacked on to the cost giving you a good idea of what the whole package will do to your wallet.

Need some new gadgets or supplies? Take a look at Groupon Goods. Purchasing items at half price has never been better and just think of all the cool things you could be doing with the money you've saved.

There are lots of options available, you just have to decide how much you want to save and where!

Time Off Work

Authored by Rickey Combs

I almost have the entire week off next week! I can’t wait, I haven’t had a vacation in six months. I really just don’t know what I am going to do with myself. I think that I will spend the first half of the week taking care of things around the house that I have been putting off. We have wanted to re-stain our deck for a long time, especially with the winter approaching fast. I also am going to make sure that we get everything decorated for the fall. I have some great Halloween decorations that need to be put out. I will also make sure that I get a pumpkins for my husband and I to decorate! I got a great idea for a pumpkin on pintrest.com. It is a cream colored painted pumpkin that has a bedazzled spider web. I will only have to go into work for about an hour to call Reliant Texas Electricity Provider and pay our monthly bill. I absolutely love vacation weeks!

Gospel Singing

Guest post by Esteban Vinson

I was watching DirectTV on Sunday and saw something on Sixty Minutes that really sparked my interest. It highlighted a program started by a gospel singer in the Bronx. She recruits children who are interested in gospel music and gives them voice lessons. The teenagers train afterschool and eventually participate and compete in gospel competitions all over the US. They story was actually very inspiring. The program not only gave children more confidence but helped them build bigger, healthy social networks. Many of the children participating were being raised by their grandparents and knew little about their own parents. Some of the children reported having higher grades, higher motivation in school, and goals of furthering their education that they had not had before they started the program. All of the children were talented and just needed someone to foster their abilities. I hold the highest admiration for those who help our children. Sometimes something as small as gaining a little bit of confidence and having good social support can change your whole life for the better.

Seeing Brooke Shields in The Addams Family on Broadway

Guest post written by Annette Black

When my sister and I decided to take a trip to New York City for her birthday, I decided that we would have to go and see at least two Broadway plays. Besides, that's our favorite thing to do while we're there and right now it's so hot that we could use the air conditioning. But when we decided that we wanted to go to a few plays, we wanted to aim for ones that have famous actors in them, at least that we would recognize.

I went online to look up some info on plays that we should go and see a few weeks before and when I was doing that I ran across the website http://hearingaids.miracle-ear.com/hearing_aid_prices.html. After I looked through it a little bit, I decided to get some hearing aids.
Out of the Broadway shows that we saw, I think that my favorite was the Addams Family play because it had Brooke Shields in it. She did such a great job as Morticia. I didn't realize that she could sing well!

Forex Trading: Direct Dealing versus Brokers

Guest Posting by Bobby Quill

 When it comes to trading in the foreign exchange market, there are two main ways  in which dealer institutions can trade with each other: direct dealing and through forex brokers. These two methods are very different from one another.

The main market makers publish a running list of the prices at which they will buy and sell the major currencies. These rates are featured to all market dealers on their computer screens. In addition, the dealer reveals his prices and both dollar rates and cross-rates are shown. While the computers are updated regularly throughout daily FX transactions, the prices are only indicative. Direct dealing is when a trader or customer contacts the bank directly to get a firm price for the currency they wish to buy or sell. Major market makers reveal an updated list of main bids and offer rates which are displayed on computer screen.

On the other hand, dealer institutions can also go through brokers. Brokers provide the best price available among the quotes. Through a broker, a market maker or dealer can make a quote for only one side of the market instead of both sides. Brokers or dealers may also use electronic brokerage systems, such as Finexo forex.

Individual Investing or Forex Robots?

If you’re involved in forex trading, you will have to decide whether you want to rely on automated systems, such as forex robots, or the traditional method -- by reading forex indicators and making decisions based on your knowledge and instincts.

There are pros and cons to both methods. Forex trading software and robots automate the process and make trades based on set parameters. This is a good option for many new forex traders who want to get involved in the trading world but lack the knowledge to make trades on their own. There are also cons to relying on a robot or automated system. For one, you can lose control of your investment by putting faith into an automated system.

However, the traditional method is for experienced traders. Going the traditional route for 4x trade transactions increases the potential risks but also the possible rewards. While it is not for everyone, it is a strategy that offers the biggest potential gains.

Trading Software for Expert, Active Traders

Guest Posting by Bobby Quill

Designed to facilitate day trading of stocks and financial instruments, forex trading software is available for both novice and professional traders. The market is flooded with various types of day trading software, including data, charting and trade execution software. If you’re a novice trader without a clue about forex signals and exchange rates, consider signing up for practice software or software designed for beginners. However, if you’re an experienced trader, check out ForexTrader PRO.

Expert traders are not afraid to take risks -- after all, when it comes to forex trading, risk is considered a major part of the equation. The good news is that ForexTrader PRO is engineered for professional traders who understand and practice this aspect of the art.

According to several review sites including Finexo Forex, ForexTrader PRO is a versatile trading platform that allows traders to program settings and controls to accommodate their specific trading needs. It offers professional level charting, helpful trading tools and detailed forex research.  When it comes to charting features, this advance software offers multiple chart types and more than 70 technical indicators. With the ForexTrader PRO, experienced traders can easily analyze forex exchange rates and create personalized charts. Other important features of this software include flexible settings, layout creation tools and pre-set layouts. What’s more, analysis and up-to-date information within the software is provided by traders and Dow Jones. This means that the trader is always up to date on important market developments.

Keep Your Economic Indicator Calendar Close By

Guest Posting by Bobby Quill 

The forex, online is where it all takes place because it’s an electronic market. Moreover, knowing the release dates for economic indicators is very important. A desk calendar, as simple as it sounds, can perform wonders. Just make sure to write in the release time too. Everyone invested in the market with self-awareness pays attention to these dates and the financial data they bring.

Such collective and attentive anticipation to forex news means that everyone watching and waiting is also prepared to react at more-or-less the same time. These circumstances also mean that economic indicators have stored within them the potential to create great price movements and volumes.

Economic indicators have both direct and indirect effects on the markets. When it comes to forex trade, remember that not all countries release economic indicators in an equally steady manner. But that doesn’t change the fact that every trade made on the forex is two-sided.

The Breaking Forex Trading News

Investors have debates of over the reliability of forex news, signals, and trading tips and tricks.  There is a lot of information floating around out there on the web, and where the best place is for one to invest their money when it comes to foreign currency trading is anyone’s guess.  Trying to follow all of this information is also complicated and time consuming task that could really drive a person insane.

Thankfully, there are companies out that help do the research for you, like forex trading etoro, and can provide you with a news letter that has the most relevant information.  If one wishes to do the research on their own then there are also many other websites out there, like Bloomberg.com and MarketWatch.com, that provide forex calendars.  These calendars contain a schedule of upcoming news and events that could affect currencies rates in various parts of the country.  With this information investors have a better chance of making strong investment predictions as to where to invest their money, and which markets will be the most lucrative at the time.  Investors can also keep the follow of information focused on markets they wish to appraise rather than being flooded with information.

Other trading experts make easy forex investment predictions by watching the news on a few key economic reports.  For example, if they traded major pairs, which all involve the U.S. dollar, they may also want to keep a sharp eye out for:

• Federal Reserve Meetings
• The Non-Farm Payrolls Report
• G-7 Meetings

Keeping a close eye on these few reports, rather than trying to research all the forex information out there, can have huge pay offs, for all this studying can come in handy if one spots a currency that is headed for long-term appreciation or depreciation. Then, due to the leveraged nature of forex trading, the investor borrowing money from the broker can purchase a larger position, and thus hitch a ride on a currency that is headed one way or another.  In this case, unlike in school, doing your homework can earn you more than a good grade; it can earn you cold hard cash.

How to Find a Currency Trading Broker that Won't Break the Bank

Some forex brokers are all about the big clients.  To them, the “little guy” isn’t worth their time and effort – even though most of the people who invest are “little guys”!

But you don’t have to let snooty brokers get you down.  In fact, with a little research, you can find a currency trading broker that won’t expect you to invest thousands of dollars every month. If that’s the kind of broker set-up that you have been looking for, look no further than Finexo.  For just $25, you can open up an account – and start trading in a few short minutes!

So, what do you get with your account?

You get many of the same bells and whistles that big-time brokers provide.  Finexo comes with the convenience of one-click trades in real time, a slew of statistics that can help you make educated decisions, professional analyses, and even a glossary of forex terms.

If you’re brand new to the forex world, you can even set up a practice account – that doesn’t use real money.  That way, you can get your feet wet without losing your shirt!
See?  You really don’t have to be one of the “big guys” to get special treatment!

Gift Card Exchange

Holiday shopping may be over, but everyone is still looking for a great deal or a way to return those gifts that just didn't make the cut. Cardpool provides a unique opportunity to trade in your unwanted gift cards for cards you would rather have. In as little as 30 seconds you could be making cash from your unwanted gift cards! They are offering up to 92% cash for your gift cards.

If you are shopping for a gift card, why pay full price? Again, Cardpool comes to the rescue with discount gift cards up to 30% off retail prices! There is no better way to stretch your money than to get more for less.

• Trade, buy or sell gift cards
• Free shipping
• 100 day return policy

So go looking for all those cards you are not using and exchange them for ones that suit your style. Simply sign up here, enter the card merchant, tell them how much your card is worth and they will give you a quote. If you trade it for Amazon credit, they will offer more than the cash back method and faster too.

Fast Cash for Your Home

On a lucky day you may find a penny on your way to the mailbox. Other days it may be a bill, but it's not every day that you can make serious cash. With the housing market in a lull and so many on the verge of moving to avoid falling prices, there is a flurry of home owners trying to sell. This means if you are trying to sell your home it is going to be very difficult. Here is your chance if you are trying to get out and move on!

By simply submitting your zip code for analysis, you can take part in this unique opportunity. No matter the condition of your home, its location, or the price range, they want to pay cash for your home. In minutes your home could be taken care of and you could be worrying about more important things. Just by entering your zip code you can see how many other home owners have been helped in your area. Click here for more details.

Short Term Loans

Sometimes you can get away with free prizes, great discounts, or even extra cash. Occasionally you may have to pay that money back with interest, but if you are in a bind and really need the money now, payday loans may get you the money you need. It is fast and will provide you with the money you need quickly.

A payday loan comes to you as a cash advance for a short period. They commonly come with no credit check so more people are able to access the funds. It is important to know that the binding agreement may have elevated interest rates requiring you to pay more in the long run. Be sure to read the fine print of any agreement before authorizing your approval.

Interest rates aside, there are some instances when the bills can't wait and you simply need fast cash. It is for this reason that these companies are springing up everywhere. The smart spender will have savings for a rainy day, but should you need to use these services, repay your loan as quickly as possible to avoid extra charges. Be wise up front and reap the benefits later.

Save 50-90% Every Day

If you are not already using Groupon, you should be wondering why not. At least that was the first thought I had when I finally found the time to check it out. I have saved hundreds of dollars in only the first few weeks of use and I intend to continue the savings as more opportunity arises.

Groupon works by offering a significant savings to customers on various local offerings. When a minimum number of sales have been made on that particular item, the coupons become activated. If it doesn't meet the minimum number, you get a refund. With everything from restaurants and activities to retail stores and spas, you are sure to find something that will save 50-90%.

Head on over to Groupon, sign up for FREE and start saving today. These make great gifts and if you plan to travel, be sure to check out the latest deals in your destination city!

Paid Research

We've all seen the ads for getting paid to do research, but how many of us actually do them? If you are lucky and live in a bigger city, you might have more opportunity than you know. There are various avenues one could take. For example if you are willing to get paid for testing drugs and medical procedures you might check out one of these two sites:

1. ClinicalTrials.gov
2. ClinicalConnection.com

If you have a little extra time on your hands perform a quick search of your surrounding area via Craig's List for "Volunteer" positions. Many times these are paid opportunities that are close to home. Even a simple Google search for "paid research" + your town will bring up local focus groups that are paying for your opinion on products or services.

I was lucky enough to join a group that tests oral hygiene products on a regular basis. When I finish one study, they sign me up for the next and it goes all year until I am done. The best part is that these are products that I would normally use and they are already approved by the FDA. As you can see, with some investigation on your part, you too can make your thin wallet a little thicker.