Way back in 1995, I remember when I helped a young pest control business get their first computer. We set up their books with a new software from Quicken. Over the years, Quicken has been the only real money management software for personal of business use.

Since then there has been several of money management programs to come on the market and many of them leave. Then in 2005, Aaron Patzer said there could be something better. So in 2008 Mint.com came out of beta.

Several years ago, I worked briefly at this computer store. The owner would change the terms of service at least once a week, if not more. When I left there the Terms of Service was very fine print on the back of every receipt. The receipt was printed on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper.

This is nothing unusual. Every business has literature that states where their responsibly starts and where the customer’s responsible begins.

School is almost back in full swing. Last minute shoppers of school supplies and school clothes are bustling through places like Wal Mart and Target with almost the ferver of Christmas shoppers on Christmas Eve.

In addition to the traditional school supplies a computer is needed. On that computer is required a word processing program, spread sheet program, presentation program, and internet access.

Some schools just say that Microsoft Office is what their students need to successfully complete homework assignments. The complete unrestricted version of Microsoft Office will cost just over $300.00. However, the Student Edition of Microsoft Office will cost only $123.00.

I remember a time as a teenager we go through the neighbors trash just to see what we could find. This was at the local dump outside a small town, in northern California. People saw us and thought we were looking for old aluminium and copper to sell at our version of the recycling center, in 1968. In addition to the  aluminium and copper we found old love letters, adult magazines, and credit card numbers. Of course we only used what we found for our amusement.

Today, there are unethical people going though other people’s trash, before the garbage man comes to get information for identity theft. This could be a credit card offer, or a bill from a life insurance company, or even an electric bill. You see adding up these bits and pieces of information, along with the internet can yield enough information for identity theft.

It is a good thing to sit back in your comfortable chair, with a tall glass of ice tea and read the end user agreements. I know any legal paper is not the most exciting reading, but it can save you 100′s of dollars by taking a few minutes, and leisurely read through them.

Reading things like mortgage papers, lease agreements. or cell phone contracts is not the most exciting reading there is. However, it is always good to know what you have agreed to do. I have lost count the number of times I have had people come to me and tell me stories of how they got themselves in a bind over not reading fully what they have signed.

A few weeks ago, a friend and I were talking. Then out of the blue he blurred out like someone who was about to be tortured. “I am afraid that I am going to have to file for bankruptcy.”

I could see the pain in his eyes. He was the type of person who did not have a lot of money. He paid his bills. He took pride in providing for his family. The mere idea of bankruptcy was the worst possible thing that could happen. He believed that if he could not provide for his family he was the scum of the earth.

I know it is easy to spend money. We are bombarded daily from television and radio ad. Sometimes it seems that every place we go there is someone who want us to give them our hard earn money. This makes it a real effort just to live within our means.

To many of us the temptation is to live above our means. In the past few years we, as a nation have learned we cannot live on credit. We cannot live above our means, it will eventually catch up with us.

I have notice those people who have not been greatly affected the current recession have been living below there means. They had a good cash reserver. They have been saving money.

How much does a lawyer cost? Well that all depends what you need a lawyer to do for you.

According to Lawyers.com the national average is $284 per hour. Then depending on they type of lawyer you need and the area of the United States, that $284 per hour can quickly turn into over $1,000 per hour.

Note, I said per hour. Court appearances, filing fee, and research can put a person in the poor house before going to court. That does not say you are going to win your case.

In preparing for today’s post, I am reminded of the old saying, “There are two things that we cannot escape: death and taxes”. Everybody is quick to talk about how the government is taxing them to the poor house. However, very few people are quick to talk about how they are preparing for their own death.

In the past month, I have read in various consumer advocate publications, each one had some very interesting points about saving money. Especially just disposal of your body, after you are dead, will cost as little as $800. The traditional funeral cost can reach $15,000. However, the average funeral runs in the $6,000 range.

Two weeks ago we looked at choosing a small bank that would be a good fit for you and your money. Last week we looked at all the advantages of banking with a credit union. This week we are going to look at how to move our money, to a smaller more customer friendly bank.

Moving from a big bank to a little bank, if done wrong, can cost you hundreds of dollars, and lower credit score. If done right, the move will be relatively painless along with not have you paying any late or overdraft fees.

The best way to move from a big bank to a little bank is in stages. I have broke it down into 5 stages. That you will sure that the transition will be smooth and painless as possible.