Roasted Chicken is an easy and classic meal that almost anyone can enjoy.  You can also chop up some budget friendly root vegetable such as potatoes, carrots, or turnips to roast with the chicken.  Use this recipe as a starting point but feel free to substitute your own herbs and spices to transform a cheap meal into something more elegant.

Roasted Chicken

(Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (4 pound) whole chicken
• 5 cloves garlic, crushed

 Directions

What follows is a list of several practical tips for reducing our gasoline usage. And if all Americans were to follow these tips, it could make a dramatic impact in our nation’s overall gasoline demand, and it could even bring down the cost of gas.

Maintain Your Vehicle – Regular maintenance helps cars operate more efficiently and get better gas mileage. Well-maintained vehicles also emit fewer pollutants into the atmosphere.

The simple act of keeping tires properly inflated contributes to better gas mileage. Other important maintenance tasks include regular tune-ups, checking the air filter, keeping tires properly aligned, and changing oil according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Drive Smart – Smart driving includes accelerating slowly and driving smoothly. Jackrabbit starts and stop-and-go traffic can greatly reduce your gas mileage. Also, observing posted speed limits will help you get farther on a tank of gas. You should try to combine purposes in one trip. For instance, you could stop for groceries on your way home from work, rather than making multiple trips that burn more fuel, put more miles on your car, and increase your cost of gas.

And you’ll save even more by trading in a gas-guzzler for a more fuel-efficient car.

Take the bus, subway, or train – Public transportation in the U.S. reduces oil consumption by an estimated 3.4 billion gallons a year. In addition, it reduces emissions of greenhouse gas by about 26 million tons. While public transit fares may equal the cost of gas to travel a given distance, the cost of driving actually is much more than what you pay for gas. You also need to take into account the wear and tear involved in driving your car, the cost of repairs and maintenance, insurance, depreciation, and other expenses like parking or traffic tickets and toll charges. According to the AAA, those costs on average add up to about a dollar a driven mile. Americans typically spend about 20 percent of their income on their cars.

Carpool – Share your ride to work with a coworker, split the cost of gas, and you’ll halve your fuel expense. The savings will just get better as you add others to your carpool.

Use Your Own Power – You’ll really reduce your cost of gas when you keep your car parked and use your own power to get places — on a bicycle or on foot. While you’re saving gasoline in this way, you’re also improving your health, and possibly losing some pounds. For longer trips, you might consider an electric-powered bike.

Banks could be described as a necessary evil; we need them to save money and earn interest and at times, to get loans for large-scale purchases but bank fees can cost you. Bank fees aren’t as simple as you might think either and thanks to federal regulations, banks can infer fees in ways you may not realize can or will affect your account. This is especially true given the changes that will occur in 2012 and many banks will institute fees simply for having an account. Despite the inevitable fees, you do have a choice in many cases and you can effectively control how much you ultimately forfeit to your bank.

ATM Surcharges

ATM fees have been rising steadily, as banks scramble to make up for lost revenue due in part to a faulty economy. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that simply taking money out of an ATM that isn’t affiliated with your bank is only half the problem, and cost. You’ll get charges both by the bank you take the money from and often, by your own bank as a penalty for going “out of network.” Fees can be as much as $5 now, so it’s possible to get money out of an ATM and end up paying $10 more on top of what you took out. These small charges, over time, can add up quickly.

Minimum Balance Fees

In another effort to offset losses, banks have instituted or increased minimum balance fees. These fees can vary according to the type of account your choose and each bank can choose the minimum amount required to avoid fees. It’s important to be aware of these fees, which can range from $5 to $10 a month and can add up quickly. Minimum balance fees should also be taken into account when you’re balancing your checkbook. If you live your financial life close to the edge frequently, a single minimum account balance fee can throw you into a negative balance, triggering even more fees for lack of sufficient funds.

Overdraft Fees

The United States Federal Reserve introduced changes in 2010 that required customers to opt-in for making purchases that would place your account in a negative balance. While many touted these changes as a boon for consumers, they may have actually inadvertently encouraged even more overdrafts. Consider that if you’ve opted in, you can make a purchase that will put your account over the proverbial edge into the negative. At that point, yes, that purchase has been covered but the negative balance has always triggered overdraft penalty charges. These charges will occur if any transaction occurs when your account is in the negative and can be as much as $35 each time an attempt is made to withdraw money. If you’re a diligent person who keeps track of how you use your debit card, you may be lucky but many people forget the bills that are paid from their account through automatic withdrawal.

Maximum Number of Transactions

Many people who found themselves unemployed in the recent past opted to get a debit card through a bank, and have their unemployment benefits directly deposited. Some banks however, have instituted a maximum number of transactions you are permitted with your debit card. After that point, usually averaging four transactions, your bank charges you for every transaction. While this can affect anyone with a debit card, those who are unemployed and living on a significantly limited income were shocked to find fees of $1 to $3 for each additional transaction. These fees can quickly add up, particularly if you tend to only take small amounts of cash out at any one time. If you have a debit card, it’s important to ask your bank representative about any fees that you might incur after a certain number of transactions. Ignoring these types of “hidden” fees risks overdrafts that can add even higher fees.

With the cost of attending college ever increasing, it may seem that taking out a lot of student loans is an easy way to pay for it all. The loans will have to be repaid, with interest, once you graduate, meaning they are not the best way to pay for school. If you do need to borrow money for college, learn about the different types of loans first and strive to get the best deal on any student loan you choose.

Private Vs. Federal Loans

When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the school you plan to attend determines your eligibility for a federal student loan. You can only borrow up to a certain amount each year with a federal loan, so some students choose to also take out private loans.

Private loans do not have the same protections as a federal loan, though. Federal loans allow you to take a deferment or forbearance on the loan in the event of a financial hardship, such as a job loss. If you have a subsidized student loan, the government will pay your interest while you are in school. You can also take out an unsubsidized federal loan. You will be responsible for the interest on that loan while in school. Additionally, the interest rates on a private loan are usually variable, meaning they can increase from year to year. Federal loan interest rates are fixed at either 6.8 percent for unsubsidized loans or 3.4 percent for subsidized loans. The higher the interest rate on a loan, the more money you will have to pay in the end.

Tricks to Keep Your Student Loan Debt Low

Look at the overall cost of attending the school of your choice. Don’t forget to include the cost of things such as books, meals and the occasional night out. Add up all the student aid you’ve received that you don’t have to pay back, such as scholarships and grants. If you plan on working during school, estimate how much you’ll earn each semester or year.

If the amount of aid, work income and savings you have doesn’t cover the cost of school, add in the maximum federal loan amount. If it still doesn’t cover the cost of your school, it may be in your best interest to choose a less expensive school to attend. Ask yourself if getting a bachelors from an expensive school is worth repaying thousands of dollars in student loans for at least the next ten years.

When you take out a student loan, whether federal or private, do your best to keep up on interest payments, even while you are still in school. Any interest you don’t pay while in school, on unsubsidized or private loans, is added to the principal, or total amount of the student loan, once you graduate. That means that you will end up paying more over time, as instead of a $5,000 loan, for example, your loan is now $5,500.

Once you are out of school, pay a little more than the payment due each month. You’ll pay your student loan debt off faster and pay less in the end. Another option, if you have a lot of loans, is to consolidate them. In some cases, consolidating will lower your interest rate. You can also try doing a year of service with an organization such as AmeriCorps or Teach for America. At the end of your service, you will receive an education award that you can use to pay off your debt.

The end of the year has a way about making you think about debt. Not only is it the time when we start evaluating our habits and begin resolving to do better in the new year, but it is also the time when hoards of credit card bills begin rolling in. To our dismay, we see that in just a matter of a few weeks, we’ve managed to undo months of paying down our credit card debts – ensuring that we continue to ride the financial roller-coaster into the next year. So how can you eliminate credit card debt once and for all in 2012? We’ve got some ideas.

Make a Plan

Make time to sit down, formally evaluate your finances, and make an official plan to get out of credit card debt. Start by choosing which credit cards and debt balances you are going to pay down first. There are three ways of deciding which balances to tackle – all of which have benefits and downsides. The most financially logical way of paying off your balances requires that you pay down your highest interest rate credit card first. This will ultimately save you the most money in the long run.

However, if you are the type of person who needs to see fast results in order to stick to your resolutions, perhaps you should take the snowball approach, which recommends paying off the credit card with the lowest balance first. As you pay off a balance, focus your attention to the next lowest balance account and continue the pattern until all debts are eliminated. Another approach involves paying off the debt with the highest minimum payments first. This strategy works well if you are strapped for cash and have little disposable income to help pay down your balances.

Find Additional Income

Chances are, that if you have a lot of credit card debt, you probably also have little disposable income each month. Unfortunately, it is that disposable income that is key to helping pay down your credit card balances faster. Consider asking your boss for a raise, or perhaps take on a weekend job. If you cannot generate a side income, consider selling used goods in your attic, basement or garage. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and you may be surprised at how much cash is sitting in your storage. Use the additional cash to pay off your credit card debt.

Stop Spending

All of your hard work will be for not if you fail to stop your credit spending habits. Try to purchase everything you need using cash, your checking account, or in some cases, your savings account. By purchasing only with the liquid money you have on hand, you are forced to remain within your budget, as well as your means. Also, by closely monitoring your funds you will quickly realize how much the little things add up; like morning coffee, meals, snacks at the gas station. Cutting back on these little things can make a big difference on your monthly credit card bill and you may be amazed by how much more disposable income you can have. Don’t fall into the trap that other consumers do; they use a credit card all of their purchases to score airline miles, points and cash, only to find they do not have enough to pay off the entire balance of their purchases each month. That’s called living outside your means, and it is a sure-fire way to increase your debt load.

Improve Your Credit Rating

This is one of the most overlooked keys to paying off credit card debt, but also one of the most important. By improving your credit rating, your credit card companies may lower your variable interest rates, which means you’ll have more cash to put toward the principle balance of your debts each month. Furthermore, a good credit rating could qualify you for a low-interest rate consolidation loan to combine your credit card balances into a single debt financed at a lower rate.

To improve your credit rating, make all of your payments on-time, every time. Also, note that the amount of your revolving debt-to-credit ratio will affect your credit score. Utilizing more than 90 percent of your available credit can significantly lower your credit rating. Similarly, using more than 70 percent can place a ding in your rating. Ideally, you would keep your revolving credit card balances at less than 30 percent of your available credit in order to achieve a better credit rating.

As the end of the year approaches it is time to start thinking about saving money in 2012. This is what the celebration of a new year is all about. It is about forgetting last year’s mistakes and putting your best foot forward. It is about wiping the slate clean and starting over. It is about hope and expectation. However, the problem with a New Year’s resolution is that we often have unrealistic expectations. Our resolutions are often too extreme and therefore impossible to attain. The majority of resolutions are all but forgotten by the time that February rolls around. It is better to have smaller and more incremental and manageable goals. For example, losing weight and saving money are the twin pillars of New Year’s resolutions. However, going to the gym five times a week or working 80 hours at the office are typically unrealistic ways to achieve those goals. Extreme resolutions and expectations will automatically set you up for failure. It is better to think smaller. If you are planning on saving money in 2012, then here are some easy shopping tips and ideas that will help.

1. Be sure to avoid impulsive purchases. The economists have a fancy name for a consumer’s impulsive spending habits. The call it transaction utility. The theory states that a consumer gets more joy out of the “act” of purchasing something than they do the actual product. This is why people will often try to return that big ticket item. Once the act of purchasing the product is over, the guilt from spending too much money sets in. Stores bank on the fact that people are impulsive when they shop. Be smarter than the stores.

2. Do more of your shopping on the Internet. The Internet has forever changed the way we shop. While some people still enjoy prowling the suburban mall for sales, others love clicking the mouse in the confines of their living room, happy that they never having to fight over a parking spot again. Both methods of shopping take time. Scrolling through web sites and searching for deals is no different than bargain hunting at a box store. However, in the end the Internet is usually cheaper. Furthermore, shopping from home will not only save you money on gas, but it is altogether greener for the environment.

3. Shop according to the seasonal sales. Everybody says that they they are going to do this, but few of us really follow through in the end. What does it mean? As it gets closer to spring and summer it is time to restock the wardrobe with winter clothes, and as winter approaches it is time to hit the clearance racks for next year’s pair of shorts.

4. Coupon cutting is becoming a quickly growing trend that can help greatly with saving money. If you take the time to look, then deals and bargains can be found most anywhere. For example, if you are planning on traveling, then you need to be aware that airlines offer the best deals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Newspapers and junk mail are filled with all types of money-saving coupons. From discounts at restaurants to deals at grocery stores, there are sales to be found if you know where to look.

5. Shop around. People often think about this term when they are shopping for smaller items, as they are looking for that deal that will save them a couple of bucks. However, it is better to apply it to life’s bigger costs. From auto insurance and gym memberships to mortgages and cable and phone bills, a little shopping around can save you a lot money. Companies are fighting for your business. Take advantage of it.

Tip #1: Become familiar with the store holiday returns policy. During the holiday season store return policies are usually relaxed, but not always is every item is returnable. Engraved or customized gifts may not be able to be returned, as well as opened gifts such as electronics. Some policies also only allow you to get store credit for the returned items. Contact the store to see if the gift you have is returnable before your stand in those long holiday return lines, and possibly risk wasting your time. If you decide you are going to return a gift, do it quickly. Most stores have a short window period for holiday returns, usually between 15-30 days from the date the item was purchased.

Tip #2: Don’t forget your gift receipt. Gift receipts make your returns so much faster and easier. Having a gift receipt will allow you to get the best price on your item. For example, if the item is currently marked down you have a better chance of getting the original price back that was paid for the gift instead of the current marked down price. Note that is not always the case this time of year, but it definitely can help make your return painless.

Tip #3: Do not remove tags or take the item out of its packaging if you do not plan to keep it. Some stores only accept return merchandise that is new, unopened or unworn. You have a better chance of at least getting a store credit, if not cash back, from an unused item. Also, be aware that some stores, especially electronic or appliance stores have a 15-25 percent restocking fee. Depending upon what the item is you may be better of reselling or regifting it instead of taking that cut.

Tip #4: Sell or swap your unwanted gift cards. While gift cards may seem like a safe gift to buy, they may not always be wanted. It is possible that you could get a gift card to a store or restaurant that you don’t even shop or eat at. Sites like Giftcardrescue.com and Swapagift.com will buy your gift card or allow you to swap it for one that you want. If you decide to sell your gift card, generally you will not get 100 percent of the cards value. You can usually sell them for around 70 percent of the card’s value.

Tip #5: Donate any unwanted gifts to charity. If you are not able to return, resell, or don’t want to regift your gift, you can always donate it. The Goodwill along with other charities is always glad to accept donations. You can feel good by being able to help someone who is less fortunate, especially during the holiday season. Also, at the end of the year you may be eligible for a tax deduction so keep your receipt.

The new year is the ideal time to start considering a new home budget. There are some basic tips that can help you learn how to start budgeting for 2012 without complicated programs or making any dramatic changes in your current lifestyle. The budgeting process can help you save money by being aware of how you are currently spending your money.

Creating a budget

Creating a budget is simple, you first need to have an idea of how much you are currently bringing home and how much you are spending. To create a good budget plan, you will first need to create a record of all income and all expenses. Create a simple spreadsheet either on paper or use your computer and list the following items:

Current income (make note of the frequency)

Income from all sources including personal income, your partner’s income (where applicable), income from investments or retirement accounts, etc. should be recorded accurately. In order to set a solid budget, you must have an accurate recording of all income.

• Source 1
• Source 2
• Other sources

Fixed expenses

Fixed expenses are those that do not change from week to week or month to month. In most cases, these payments will include items like:

• Mortgage payments
• Insurance payments
• Automobile payments
• Home tax payments
• Credit card payments (which may be variable expenses)
• Home equity loan payments
• Any additional taxes or insurance

Variable expenses

Variable expenses are those that are not constant from week to week or month to month. These may include items such as dry cleaning bills, heating bills, etc. Create a list of all bills that do not have a monthly fixed payment including

• Telephone bills
• Utility bills (Internet, electricity, etc.)
• Fuel for automobile
• Lunch expenses
• Charity donations
• Spending money (for everyone in household)
• Entertainment expenses (movies, nights out, etc.)
• Food expenses (include groceries and dinners out)
• Contributions to IRA or education accounts
• Clothing expenses (for each person in household)
• Other expenses that are aplicable to your household

The Process

Once all expenses have been accurately recorded, it is important to sit down and review income and expenditures. Those who are interested in saving more money should look at their current variable expenses for waste, perhaps cutting out the morning coffee or lunch out with coworkers can help add an additional amount to savings or retirement accounts.

Nearly all households should have a budget in order to have a better understanding of where they are spending money. Not all of us spend our money wisely and having our budgets in black and white can help us determine where we can do better. Budgets allow us to focus on savings goals, can help us prepare better for retirement and can help us purchase big ticket items without going into additional debt. Here is a helpful budgeting worksheet to help you on your path to a financially successful new year. Today is a good time to start thinking about budgeting for 2012.

Tip #1. Make a list. Before making a trip out to the shopping rush, make a list of the items you want to purchase for the people in your life. Modern marketing can confuse the brain and lead you to buying something different than what you set out for. Stick to your list which will help you make a better decision and save money by keeping to a budget.

Tip #2. Check it twice. Before actually purchasing an item, check the price at other stores to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Tip #3. Shop online. Not only is this tip a greener option, but if you shop online you can find many deals on pricing and free shipping. Check sites like Retailmenot.com, Amazon.com or Ebay.com to see if they have any great holiday season deals on your items.

Tip #4. Donate while you shop. Donating to a favorite charity not only helps that organization out but will also keep you focused on what’s important…what you have not what you need. Plus sites like We-Care.com and iGive work with major retailers like Amazon.com to direct portion of its profits to charities you choose.

Click here for more tips to help you manage the holiday season!

Shopping for the holidays on a budget with the hopes of buying gifts your kids love can be a challenge. Regardless of what commercials might infer, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to see huge smiles on the faces of your children as they open their presents. For under $25, you can purchase a fantastic gift that’s sure to entertain, educate or fascinate your child. Holiday shopping should never result in debt you need months to pay off. Here are ten of the best inexpensive gift ideas for kids and each one is under $25.

1. Play-Doh Play Sets Play-Doh by Hasbro has been around for years and continues to provide creative fun for preschoolers and early elementary-aged children. Although basic cans of Play-Doh can be purchased for less than $10, you can also buy theme-based sets, such as the Doctor Drill n Fill Play Set, for under $25. Take the fear out of going to the dentist as children enjoy role playing and expanding their knowledge of community members with this fun toy.

2. Smurf Dolls After years off the scene, Papa Smurf and friends are back due to the release of the Smurfs Movie this year. Your child will love cuddling with the 12-inch Plush Smurf Dolls or playing with pairs of mini dolls. Prices for these are well under $25, allowing you to purchase a combination for more Smurf fun.

3. Barbie Styling Head Girls have been playing beauty shop with the Barbie Doll Styling Head for years. Barbie never goes out of fashion, but her makeup updates as the years progress. Your daughter will enjoy playing with the Barbie Styling head alone or with her friends. Barbie comes with her own hair brush and hair styling accessories for hours of fun.

4. Justin Bieber Concert Kit Kids love Justin Bieber and his musical talent, plus positive attitude make Justin Bieber-themed toys fun for kids to play with. The Justin Bieber Concert Kit comes with a microphone, autograph book and marker, embroidered patch and Justin Bieber photo frame.

5. Hedbanz Game Some smart person took this old party game and created Hedbanz– the game where each player wears a headband holding a card with a picture and word on it. You can’t see what card is on your headband, but the other players can. Get the entire family playing as you answer each others questions and try to guess who or what you are.

6. Chutes and Ladders Game You probably played Hasbro’s Chutes and Ladders when you were a kid. Today, there are a few different versions of the game, catering to the specific interests of children. Choose from a selection including the Sesame Street Edition, the Disney Princess Edition or the Classic Edition.

7. Silly Bandz Silly Bandz became all the rage this past summer and are still going strong. The rubbery bracelets come in zoo, pet and fun shapes and your children will enjoy trading Silly Bandz with their siblings, friends and schoolmates. At approximately $13 for a set of 72, you don’t have to worry about your kids trading or losing a costly toy.

8. Happy Nappers Kids love a cuddly soft animal, regardless of their age. The 21-inch cuddly play pals can be tucked into their pillow-shaped home, then brought back out for playtime. Choose from Happy Napper characters such as Igloo to Penguin, Castle to Dragon, Dog House to Dog and Hut to Monkey.

9. Perplexus Maze If you think your kids will be board with a toy that stretches the mind, think again! The line of Perplexus mazes are challenging, fun and addictive– in fact, the whole family is likely to be hooked. Nominated for Educational Toy of the Year, this encapsulated maze presents fresh fun and challenges each time it’s picked up.

10. Stomp Rockets Children need to move around and be active and this toy encourages them to get outside in the fresh air and have fun. Incorporate fun, competition and a little science into their activity time with Stomp Rockets. Kids will be challenged to see how high they can get their rocket to go by stomping on the attached peddle. This toy is perfect for solo or group play and will spark imagination as your kids envision flying off to explore other worlds.