http://theshoppingnazi.com Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://theshoppingnazi.com/it-is-never-to-early-to-plan/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/it-is-never-to-early-to-plan/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/it-is-never-to-early-to-plan/ Growing my dad would continually tell me, “Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today.” Several years ago, I a friend would constantly quote, “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance”. I have observed and proven in my own life the more I do plan, the better the out come. If my planning is for a career change, marriage or even a simple shopping trip produces better results. Over this past weekend, I introduced our daughter to a spreadsheet. Her assignment was to put together her Back-to-School budget. Since she will be going into 7th grade, we figured it was time to step up her budgeting skills. It all started giving our daughter a certain amount of money for her school supplies and back to school clothes. She could no spend more than what we gave her. Last year she progressed to writing out her school supply list and clothing, then present us with it. We discussed it and adjusted her budget accordingly. This year she is to put her budget together, and present it to us. Since this year she is going into 7th grade. In addition she has been accepted into a special program for kids who are college bound, [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/it-is-never-to-early-to-plan/feed/ 0 http://theshoppingnazi.com/passwords-and-logins/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/passwords-and-logins/#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/passwords-and-logins/ Just the other day, I had to reset my password to my Amazon.com. It had been sometime since I bought anything there. Normally, my web browser would automatically log me into the checkout section of the website. The reason it would not let me login was because I changed computers since the last time I logged into Amazon.com. It took me five extra minutes to reset my password. The password reset for Amazon.com was much easier than if I were to reset the password for my bank. My bank makes me jump through a several hoops to do a password reset. They even make me jump through other hoops if I try to access my bank account from a different computer. I have to verify who I am via text message or phone call to tell them it is okay to access my bank account from a different computer. Why am I writing about user names and passwords? Well, time is money. The time and energy just resetting  a forgotten passwords can be extremely frustrating. The time and frustration can take away other things we can do that is more productive. In this world technology, and identity thieves we are bound [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/passwords-and-logins/feed/ 0 http://theshoppingnazi.com/your-own-yard-sale/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/your-own-yard-sale/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/your-own-yard-sale/ It is usually mid late Spring when what I like to call Garage Sale Season starts. The weather has started to warm up. People are doing their Spring cleaning. They find this amount of clutter that needs to be removed from the garage. This clutter can range from the clothes little Susie has out grown to that mounted moose head, that is no longer allowed to hang in the living room. Yes, it can be taken to the local thrift store. Let them sell it or take it to the dump. Or even better, have a yard sale and sell that moose head to some young college student who wants to hang it in his living room to impress his buddies. Personally, I really enjoy traveling through neighborhoods looking for cardboard sign with Magic Marker lettering. On them are written Garage Sale, Yard Sale, Estate Sale, or even Moving Sale. No matter what the name a sale is a sale with one purpose and one purpose only. Get rid of those unwanted items in the garage and the rest of the house. By selling them there is hopes to make enough money to afterwards to take the family out to a dinner [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/your-own-yard-sale/feed/ 0 http://theshoppingnazi.com/document-fixed-monthly-expenses/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/document-fixed-monthly-expenses/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/document-fixed-monthly-expenses/ Not having a idea as to your current bank account balance is just an idea. The reality can be a couple hundred dollars difference. The same holds true for where you are at with your budget. If you have your finances document it is be easier to track. Over the years, every job I have had required a certain level of documentation. In fact the more successful businesses documented every little thing that was done. I had one boss who firmly believed, “If it was not documented, it did not happen”. This holds true through out all the modern business world. If the business world requires documentation, should our home finances and budget be well documented? Seeing budget, income and expense numbers before our eyes makes for a clear understanding. If we are wanting the best for our family, we need to give them the best financial tracking as possible. Sharing this documentation of the family finances will help curb impulse purchase that can break the budget. The most basic of way to document any financial budget is a good old fashion spreadsheet. You can make one by taking a piece of lined paper. Take a ruler and pen then draw [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/document-fixed-monthly-expenses/feed/ 0 http://theshoppingnazi.com/out-of-milk/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/out-of-milk/#comments Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/out-of-milk/ Why many businesses fail is they just don’t run it like a business. They try to run the business like they try to run their home. If they ran their home more like a business then when it came time to start their own business, it would have a better chance of success. Success requires paying attention to detail. One such detail is the managing of the food and supplies. I have personally seen business that did not have good control over their inventory spent money than they needed. Thus having more money tied up in goods waiting to be used. This money could of have been put to better use elsewhere. The same holds true for what is in the kitchen. Is there items sitting on the shelf  gathering dust? Take green beans bought on sale, but no one in the house really likes green beans. How much is in there duplicated? Things get bought over and over because no one checks inventory before heading out shopping.  Just over a month ago, I wrote about The Grocery Shopping List. There I wrote about all the components that should be considered when making the perfect shopping list. One of those components is [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/out-of-milk/feed/ 0 http://theshoppingnazi.com/smart-financial-goals/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/smart-financial-goals/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/smart-financial-goals/ There are all sort of acronyms to help us remember. Face it if we all need little reminders through out the day and through out life. Why self have people made so much money creating date books, calendars, and even alarm clocks. All to help us to remember. As part of Financial Literacy Month, today’s theme is “Set SMART Financial Goals”. The acronym of SMART has been used by for years. When I looked up the word “smart” in Merriam-Websters Dictionary, I found the definition quite interesting. The definition starts with the phrase, “Making one smart : causing a sharp stinging”, “Marked by often sharp forceful activity or vigorous strength<a smart pull of the starter cord>, “brisk, spirited <a smart pace>”, and “Mentally alert : bright“. I like the idea of sharp, vigorous, spirited, and mentally alert. This is what we need to be when it comes to our finances and our shopping. I have noticed in myself, when I get into a relax, non-sharp attitude, more money is spent than is necessary. In fact that is the time the budget is over spent. Setting SMART goals along with putting them into daily practice is so important. Before you think about setting goals, review the five parts of SMART goals. S – Specific means [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/smart-financial-goals/feed/ 0 http://theshoppingnazi.com/family-cfo/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/family-cfo/#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/family-cfo/ Ancient cultures to modern day businesses have a structure so does the family as a unit. Each member of the family takes care of different aspects of the family business. Each family member is responsible for their own personal area as well as some portion of the family as a whole. As part of Financial Literacy Month, today the subject is Family CFO; Family Chief Financial Officer. I see this position more as a gatekeeper. Picture in medieval days cities would have a this guy standing outside the city gate with armed guards. He said who could go in or leave the city. I firmly believe that every family needs to have a Family Financial Gatekeeper. The Family Financial Gatekeeper is responsible for monitoring income and expenditures. It is the family gatekeepers job to guide the rest of the family making sure everyone is getting the best possible quality for the money they spend. When my wife and I first got together I was constantly trying to get her to manage our finances. She just didn’t have the desire to take on the duties. Finally, I took over the  responsibility. It turned out between the two of us I was more comfortable in [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/family-cfo/feed/ 0 http://theshoppingnazi.com/dont-be-an-april-fool/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/dont-be-an-april-fool/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/dont-be-an-april-fool/ Originally April Fools Day came from the mockery of people who did not get the message. The message was that the start of the new year was no longer April 1st, but now January 1st. This change took place back in 1852 when communication travel very slow. They did not have the benefit of Facebook, Twitter or even the six o’clock news. April Fools Day has become a day when we look to play practical jokes on friends and family. They in turn look for ways to play practical jokes on us. At the end of the day it boils down to who can play the funniest practical joke. In recent years Ashton Kutcher has turned the spirit of April Fools into a money making television reality show called Punk’d. April is a pivotal month for many people. On April 15th is when are to have our federal and state income tax statement filed. Around the northern hemisphere there is a large number of people making the decision to plant or not to plant their gardens. Families are solidifying their summer vacation plans. Did you know April is National Financial Literacy Month? Many of us were devastated were caught by hidden fees and penalties or saddled with [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/dont-be-an-april-fool/feed/ 0 http://theshoppingnazi.com/tools-for-the-home/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/tools-for-the-home/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/tools-for-the-home/ Every home should have some basic tools. It does not matter if you live in an apartment or live in a two story house. There is always certain maintenance things that need to be done. An Apartment dweller need less tools than a home owner. Those who live on a ranch or farm need far more tools than a home owner. For this week we will be taking a some of the basic tools that allow us to be self sufficient, and keep better care of where we live. When I say self sufficient, I mean things you can do on your own. Now if you are not mechanically inclined and cannot tie you shoes, you are going to need professional help. Basic Tool Kit - There is some tools everyone should have in their home. I am talking about a hammers, slot and phillips screw drivers, measuring tape, and etc. You can get a complete set with bag for about $40 at Sears. Drain Cleaner - We all have experienced the water slowly going down the drain or not at all. There are times a plumber is needed. Most of the time the root cause of bathroom sink or bath tub clogs is hair.  The clog is usually [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/tools-for-the-home/feed/ 0 http://theshoppingnazi.com/wonderful-world-of-trade-shows/ http://theshoppingnazi.com/wonderful-world-of-trade-shows/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:51 +0000 The Shopping Nazi http://theshoppingnazi.com/?p=7121 Las Vegas is a great place to go for a getaway vacation. It is also know as one of the most popular places to hold a trade show. If you look at the Las Vegas Convention Convention Center there is back to back trade shows. Still for someone like me, who happens to love trade shows, it is not practical for me to spend so much time in Vegas. In fact there is another location where I can go to a trade show and be more out of them. Where is that you ask? I am talking about in my own backyard. All across our great country, in just about every city, there is a convention center. In that convention center local businesses and special interest groups will hold their own trade shows at least two times per year. It is at these trade shows many many benefits can be gain. See What is Available Locally  – Local trade shows like to feature local businesses. Here I can get more details from local vendors about their products and services. Every year I seem to always meet at least two or more new contacts. Gauge the Economy - In a political year like we are [...]]]> http://theshoppingnazi.com/wonderful-world-of-trade-shows/feed/ 0