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Apache is functioning normally

Learning how to manage your money is a huge part of “adulting,” but it’s not something most of us were taught in school. Luckily, TikTok is here to bring you up to speed. If you’ve been sleeping on TikTok like I have, let me fill you in. There’s an entire subgenre of TikTok dedicated to … [Read more…]

Apache is functioning normally

Investing isn’t new to me. I opened my first CD in high school back in the good old days of 5 percent interest, and I started contributing to my 401(k) as soon as I was eligible (at age 21). I did everything right according to the articles I read. I:

  • Contributed enough to get the maximum employer match
  • Saved/invested around 10 percent of my income
  • Opened up an IRA

Before I break my arm patting myself on the back, let me tell you that I made a huge error. I stopped too soon in my investing education. Instead of continuing to learn, I rested on my investing laurels — and who knows how much money I’ve lost out on because I forgot that no one cares more about my money than I do.

And my huge error led me to make many mistakes. For instance, I didn’t realize until (embarrassingly) recently that different funds in your 401(k) have different fees. Selecting funds with low fees can make a huge difference in returns. Or “buy and hold” is not the same as “buy and forget about it.” And then there’s the issue of investing and taxes.

But doing something (even if I didn’t evaluate or understand my choices) is better than nothing, right? So there I stayed, comfortable in my stinky 401(k), letting my financial adviser make fund recommendations for my IRA.

Until this year. This year, I vowed to tackle my investing fear and ignorance. I’ve been reading old posts on Get Rich Slowly, collecting a list of investing books I want to read and perusing investing websites. I’ve created this list (along with my impressions of each resource) to help me learn more about investing, and I hope it helps you, too. It’s not an exhaustive list, of course. Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I get no compensation for including any of these resources.

Get Rich Slowly Blog Posts

For new readers, I dug through the GRS archives to find some solid investing posts. I wanted the posts to highlight different investing strategies and philosophies. I’m sure I missed a few, but this should save you from poking around the Investing archives — at least a few minutes, anyway.

Dividend-paying stocks This is a fairly recent post, focusing on dividend-paying stocks.

Roth IRAs Here is a great post on Roth IRAs.

Developing an investment policy statement – Before starting to invest, analyze why you are investing. What’s the point? Figuring that out first will help you form an investing strategy.

How the stock market works – The day this post ran was the day I understood more about the stock market. Sure, things have changed since this 1952 video, but the basics are still the same.

DRIPs This post succinctly covers dividend reinvestment programs.

Mutual funds Here is a great introduction to mutual funds.

Index funds This post describes why many people (including J.D.) have most of their portfolios in index funds.

Bonds No list would be complete without mentioning bonds.

Mutual fund prospectus Part of becoming an educated investor involves understanding where your money is going. Here’s how to read (and understand) a mutual fund prospectus.

Books

Best books on investing – This post covers eight well-known investing books, but it’s missing some good ones.

One of the good ones it’s missing is Peter Lynch’s “One Up On Wall Street.” It’s old, but I like his focus on simplicity and buying what you know.

“Control Your Cash” by Greg McFarlane and Betty Kincaid is another favorite. This book actually covers all the usual financial topics (credit scores, buying a car and a house, taxes, etc.), but has a couple of chapters on investing and securities. What I like about this book is that it explains investing in a way that I can understand, using a writing style that is funny and still pertains to a wide variety of investors.

Other Blogs and Websites

Bite the Bullet Investing This just-launched blog appears to be created for the investing novice. Posts cover terms such as equity and return and topics like using other people’s money. Great if you’re just starting out.

SEC guide Use this guide to learn how to read financial statements. I think this is a very easy to understand set of terms.

The Oblivious Investor This site is organized well and Mike Piper writes clearly, without a lot of “fluff.” I found his information on index funds to be easy to understand. I haven’t checked out any of his books, but he’s written several on various topics. I think he appeals to a wide variety of investors.

Seeking Alpha This site has been mentioned several times in the comments of various GRS articles, so I thought it was worth checking out. It covers individual stocks and has some great articles. To read the entire article, you must register (though it’s free, I dislike the extra step). If you’re serious, it has a Pro subscription service in addition to the free information. I think there is some great information here, but it’s too advanced for me at this time.

The Motley Fool One of my favorite articles on the site is “13 steps to investing foolishly.” Like Seeking Alpha, they offer a premium subscription service along with their free information. This site has something for a range of investors. (GRS contributor Robert Brokamp is the Fool’s adviser for its Rule Your Retirement service.)

Morningstar has 172 free investment courses. Topics include “Investing for the long run” and “The magic of compounding.” Did I mention they were free?

Guide to Transparent Investing Frankly, I’m overwhelmed reading my own list. But if you pick anything from this list, please read this guide. Published in 2007, this 53-page discusses DIY financial planning, risk tolerance, and how to create a portfolio to minimize the bite of taxes. It explains fundamental concepts well and includes charts. I wish I’d read this guide years ago.

When doing a list like this, it’s so easy to miss lots of great resources. Which ones would you add?

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

There’s no question that buying a home is a lofty new year’s resolution—it’s certainly more intense than “drink more water” or “keep a journal.” So how do you start the process of buying a home in the new year?

Step One: Understand WHY you want to buy a home

Purchasing a home is a monumental step in anyone’s life, and it’s important to devote plenty of time and thought to the decision. Ask yourself the necessary questions: why do I want to buy a house? Am I in a suitable financial position to buy a home? How long do I plan to live in this home? For the most part, these questions aim to help you answer more general questions, like “can I buy a home right now?” and “should I buy a home right now?”

Step Two: Check and strengthen your credit

Your credit plays a massive role in your loan eligibility—some home loans are only available for borrowers with a certain credit score range. Be sure to keep an eye on your credit score, and remember you can always improve it!

Implementing healthy spending habits, like paying your bills on time, saving up money whenever you can, and avoiding racking up credit card debt, can work wonders. Keep in mind, you won’t see changes in your credit score overnight—credit reports typically update every 30 to 45 days.

Total Mortgage always offers educational resources to our clients—check out the video below for some credit tips!

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Step Three: Check your DTI

Your debt-to-income ratio, technically speaking, is all of your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income—that is, the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes towards payments for rent, mortgage, credit cards, and other debt. This is how lenders measure your ability to manage the monthly mortgage payments to repay the money you’ll be borrowing. 

To calculate your debt-to-income ratio, add up your monthly debts—this includes car payments, credit cards, mortgages, and student loans. Divide this amount by your monthly gross income, and you’ll get your DTI ratio. 

For reference, the standard maximum DTI for conventional loans is 45%, and for FHA loans it’s 55%. Of course, the maximum DTI depends on the home loan.

Step Four: Start saving for a down payment

The down payment requirement on a mortgage can end up costing a considerable chunk of change, so it’s always beneficial to start saving as soon as you can. Down payment requirements can be as low as 3%, or as high as 20%, depending on the mortgage. Making a larger down payment has its advantages—usually you’ll have more mortgage options, a smaller monthly payment, and a lower interest rate. 

Always factor your closing costs into your budget. While closing costs will vary depending on the home, it’s a good idea to plan for a fee of 3% to 6% of the home’s value. 

If you’re looking for a creative way to save up money, try the 52-week savings challenge! To take part in the challenge, you should deposit an increasing amount of money each week for one year. The amount corresponds with the week number (i.e., on week one put away $1, week two put away $2, and so on). It’s not too late to start—even if you start on week 6, you’ll still end up with over $1,300.

Step Five: Determine your housing budget

One of the most important parts of the home-buying process is determining how much house you can afford.  Homeownership comes with several costs that you didn’t need to pay as a renter. In addition to your monthly mortgage payment, you’ll need to pay property taxes and maintain some form of homeowners insurance. Factor these expenses into your household budget when determining how much house you can afford.

Step Six: Speak to a mortgage professional

By far the best way to determine if you’re ready to buy a home is to speak with a mortgage professional. They can walk you through the home-buying process, and give you an overview of the various home loan options.

Here at Total Mortgage, we offer a personalized experience for each borrower—and we have branches throughout the country! Contact your local Total Mortgage branch today to get started. Click here to find your branch!

It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the home-buying process, but if you think you’re truly ready, don’t let yourself be discouraged! Your loan officer will guide you through each step, setting you up for success as a homeowner.

Source: totalmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

The House of Mouse? Think a whole lot bigger.

Officials on Friday released fresh details about the first Storyliving by Disney project, an ambitious effort in Riverside County to infuse a master-planned community with the Burbank entertainment giant’s trademark whimsy and wonder.

Among the newly unveiled features of the in-the-works Cotino community is the “Parr House” — a gathering space inspired in name, design and decor by the midcentury-style home of the superhero family in the Disney and Pixar film “Incredibles 2.”

Along with a main entertaining room featuring an indoor/outdoor rock fireplace, the Parr House will include an art studio, kitchen, dining room, boardroom and five bedrooms.

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An artist’s rendering of Cotino, the first Storyliving by Disney community coming to life in Rancho Mirage. Individuals who purchase a membership in the Artisan Club will have access to an array of offerings infused with unique Disney and Pixar touches.

(Walt Disney Imagineering)

It will also have an elevated patio featuring views of the nearby mountains, as well as the community’s 24-acre “grand oasis.”

Access to the Parr House, as well as other community features such as a designated beach area and certain events and activities will be open to those who opt to purchase membership in what Storyliving by Disney calls the Artisan Club.

“From Disney entertainment and events to spaces inspired by Disney stories, club members will truly experience Disney story living,” Claire Bilby, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Signature Experiences Emerging Businesses, said in a statement.

Club membership will be open to Cotino residents and nonresidents.

“A professionally managed public beach park will be accessible to local area residents and visitors to the Greater Palm Springs area with the purchase of a day pass,” the venture said in a statement.

Cotino is being built on 618 acres in the city of Rancho Mirage, near where Walt Disney Co.’s namesake founder once owned a home.

“Walt Disney was so inspired by this place — he called it his ‘laughing place,’” Amy Young, a Walt Disney Imagineering creative director, said in a video posted to the Disney Parks YouTube channel. “In a sense, we’re following Walt’s footsteps here. The same things that inspired him years ago, they inspire us today. The area has this real energy to it, and you can see why Walt loved it.”

For the project, Disney is collaborating with Arizona-based DMB Development, which specializes in planned communities.

An artist’s rendering of the Artisan Club entrance, where members will experience a touch of the Disney lifestyle in clubhouse complex featuring distinct spaces for dining, wellness, art, recreation and entertainment.

(Walt Disney Imagineering)

Cotino will ultimately include somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,932 residential units. Sales are anticipated to begin in 2023, with the first homes expected to be complete in 2024.

Various home types will be available, including estates, single-family homes and condominiums. At least one section of the development will be designated for residents age 55 or older.

“Storyliving by Disney master-planned communities are intended to inspire residents to foster new friendships, pursue their interests and write the next exciting chapter in their lives,” the venture said.

Other locations are being explored for potential future projects, but no details have yet been publicly announced.

Disney, like many of its competitors, has faced pressure to rein in costs — particularly in the increasingly crowded streaming arena. Along with Disney+, the company also owns ESPN+ and two-thirds of Hulu.

The company’s chief executive, Bob Iger, on Monday provided more details of his plan to cut 7,000 jobs as part of a wider effort to rejuvenate its finances and reach profitability in its streaming business.

According to people familiar with the matter, the layoffs are spread throughout the company — affecting roles in the units formerly known as Disney General Entertainment and Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, as well as corporate positions and jobs in the theme parks, experiences and consumer products business.

Times staff writer Ryan Faughnder contributed to this report.

Source: latimes.com

Apache is functioning normally

There’s nothing more satisfying than watching a celebrity home tour on Architectural Digest as you ponder over your own interior decorating decisions. The videos often provide good tips, like styling your pool chairs with corn motif side tables (thank you, Emma Chamberlain for that one), or designing your room around a single furniture element. This latter trick comes from a feature on Shay Mitchell’s home, as the actor reportedly has a penchant for light fixtures. Yes, Mitchell loves this furnishing element so much — she specifically adores a chandelier — that she designed the rooms of her house around them.

In one of the living spaces for example, which features exposed beams and a fireplace, Mitchell suspended an orbed lantern, which she bought from Marrakech, Morocco, from the ceiling. Meanwhile in the breakfast nook of her 1920s Spanish villa-style home, the Béis founder created a modern farmhouse mood with a wicker light pendant from Leanne Ford. The actor also used chandeliers sparingly around her property — you can spot one hanging from inside one of her bathrooms, which boasts glamorous Hollywood Regency vibes. It seems the beauty of decorating with different light fixtures around the house is that it gives each room a unique personality.

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In fact, no matter where you turn in Mitchell’s home, you feel a sense of discovery in every corner of the space. “For me, I couldn’t have a house that’s one color,” she said in the AD interview, explaining why all her rooms are not uniformly decorated. “I like the rooms to be different and emote different things when I walk into them.” The entryway, which features a large hanging chandelier, for instance gives off a Mediterranean air while the bar area of her home is decorated with moody pink floral wallpaper and a golden orb light fixture. “I was reminded of all these cute speakeasy-style bars that I’d been to, whether in Paris or Istanbul, that all had awesome wallpaper,” the actor said, describing her sources of inspiration.

We can continue to wax poetic about Mitchell’s stunning house and her taste in lights, but we’ll spare you. Watch the full video of her home tour, above, to take in the decor for yourself. Afterwards, if you feel inspired by her eye for design, shop similar ceiling lamps to the star’s to incorporate into your own living space.

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Source: thezoereport.com

Apache is functioning normally

You don’t have to wait six months to close your first deal! Today’s guest, Logan Walter, is a listener who has only been a full-time Realtor for eight months. Despite the fact that he hasn’t been in real estate long, he’s already closed 21 deals, including a million-dollar deal with one of the first people he told about his new career. How did Logan do it? He followed the three Cs. Listen to today’s podcast and discover why clarity, character, and competency are essential to a new agent’s success.

Listen to today’s show and learn:

  • About Logan Walter [1:34]
  • Logan’s start in real estate and his love for Real Estate Rockstars [2:03]
  • Why Logan decided to get into real estate [4:50]
  • Closing 21 deals as a new real estate agent [6:29]
  • Logan’s first day in real estate [7:25]
  • Simple real estate scripts for FSBOs and expireds [10:17]
  • Reaching out to friends and family after starting a career in real estate [15:53]
  • The video that helped Logan close his first seven-figure deal [17:38]
  • Logan’s first real estate deal: a land sale [20:23]
  • Logan’s sales stats and splits [21:22]
  • Examples of phone calls and door knocking paying off [23:40]
  • What’s working for lead generation in Dallas right now [25:54]
  • The hours a new agent can expect to work [28:32]
  • Strategies for winning clients from canceled listings [30:31]
  • The three Cs for success in real estate [35:30]
  • Where to find and follow Logan Walter [38:15]

Logan Walter

Prior to becoming a real estate agent, Logan worked in full-time ministry at churches in Richardson, Austin, and Frisco. As a minister, he focused on building relationships and meeting peoples’ needs, and as a real estate agent, that focus has not changed.

Logan’s mission is to understand his client’s real estate goals, and then work hard to help them achieve those goals. Over the past 25 years, Logan has lived and worked in Tarrant, Dallas, Collin, and Denton Counties and is happy to help people buy and sell properties all over the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Logan and his wife Maddie currently live in Frisco, TX with their three kids: Simon, Clark and Sylvia. When he’s not talking about real estate, he is often discussing music, sports, books, and movies. His favorites include The Beatles, The Dallas Mavericks, Dune, and The Princess Bride.

Related Links and Resources:

Thank You Rockstars!

It might go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: We really value listeners like you. We’re constantly working to improve the show, so why not leave us a review? If you love the content and can’t stand the thought of missing the nuggets our Rockstar guests share every week, please subscribe; it’ll get you instant access to our latest episodes and is the best way to support your favorite real estate podcast. Have questions? Suggestions? Want to say hi? Shoot me a message via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Email.
-Aaron Amuchastegui

Source: hibandigital.com

Apache is functioning normally

Images of devastation emerged after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. We watched water sweep away vehicles and houses; we saw stunned men and weeping women in the ruins. But we also heard about survivors whose homes weren’t flattened or inundated, people who subsisted on stockpiled food and water while waiting for help. Living on the “Ring of Fire” means temblors and tidal waves are a fact of life — and so is disaster preparedness.

We need to be prepared, too. The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready America program says we should be able to sustain ourselves for at least three days after an emergency, whether that’s a hundred-year storm or a civil insurrection.
How ready are you?

Right now, before anything bad happens, is the time to build your emergency kit — and you can do it on a budget. In fact, you probably already have some (or a lot) of what you need.

The (Sometimes Icky) Basics

During those three days you need to be fed, hydrated and sheltered. You also need a place to poop.

Yeah, that’s gross. You know what else is gross? The idea of everyone in your apartment building or subdivision yelling “Gardyloo!” and flinging slops out the window. Cholera epidemic, anyone?

When I was a kid, predictions of bad weather had us filling bathtub and buckets. That’s because if we lost power we lost our well pump, i.e., no way to flush the toilets. That’s still the first line of short-term defense; if you have any warning, stash yourself some water.

When that’s gone you’ll need at least one large container into which everyone can evacuate. Maybe a repurposed five-gallon detergent, paint or pet-litter bucket? If you don’t have one:

It’s possible to buy a toilet seat that snaps onto a bucket, which makes things easier. Or buy a prefab one (search online for “bucket toilet”) for $20 or less.
Decide now where you’ll put your temporary toilet. The garage? The back porch? Maybe even in the actual bathroom? Anywhere but the place where you plan to eat and sleep. Trust me on this.

Ready for an overshare? Here’s how I’d handle disposal if the you-know-what hits the fan here in Seattle:

  • Use the bucket (in a former life, it held detergent)
  • Put soiled paper into a garbage bag (and tie it really tightly between uses)
  • Flush the contents of each, little by little, once the emergency has abated

Please do not do your business in the condo-complex yard, no matter how much fun it is to pee outdoors.

Important: You’ll want a bottle of hand sanitizer close to the bucket. Really close. E. coli is nothing to fool with.

Food and Drink

Ready America recommends one gallon of water per person per day. It’s easy to buy bottled water but much cheaper to fill up two-liter soda bottles, or inexpensive pitchers or jugs. (Don’t drink soda? Surely someone you know does.)

Refill the containers every few months; mark it on the calendar so you don’t forget. Don’t just dump the old water, though. Use it in some way, such as:

  • Watering houseplants or your garden
  • Bathing (add hot water unless you like your tub-time tepid)
  • Cooking
  • Filling pet dishes
  • Doing hand laundry
  • Washing vegetables or fruit

When it comes to emergency rations, you can go as stripped-down or as fancy as you like. But it must be something you’d eat anyway, because you’ll need to rotate and replace your stock. If an earthquake happens six years from now, do you want to be eating 2011 ramen?

Some obvious choices:

  • Canned beans, stews, soups, fruits, vegetables, meats and/or fish
  • Protein bars, granola bars, dried fruit
  • Powdered milk and cereal
  • Peanut butter or other nut butters
  • Crackers or pilot bread; I recommend the latter, because it lasts for-freakin’-ever

Note: For more on pilot bread, see this funny video from The Anchorage Daily News.

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Then watch a second, even funnier video from the same source.

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If you’ll have a way to heat water, consider a few instant soups or other dehydrated foods such as hummus or bean dip. Flavored noodle cups/bowls do go on sale; check Asian markets for the best selection. Hot drinks are both warming and soothing, so stock up on bouillon cubes, teabags, instant coffee and hot chocolate mix.

Survival Shopping at Bargain Prices

The camping section of your local sporting-goods stores has quite a selection of dehydrated meals. So do online stores that sell survival/disaster preparedness supplies. But I’m focusing on inexpensive ways to prepare.

So watch for sales and use coupons and/or rebates when possible. A few of my better supermarket deals: envelopes of pre-drained tuna for free, granola bars for a penny each, cocoa mix for 5 cents per serving, a large bag of M&Ms for 50 cents, 12 ounces of peanuts for 69 cents.

Olives, marinated veggies, sun-dried tomatoes and other fancy foodstuffs from the dollar store will liven up your basic grub. After two days of PBJs and canned beans, a few pickled vegetable will taste like manna.

The dollar store has cheap bandages and rubbing alcohol, too. So do places like CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid; I’ve obtained baby wipes (aka “shower in a pouch”), hand sanitizer, analgesics, energy bars, crackers and batteries free or nearly free thanks to rebate programs at those stores.

About those batteries: Aim for at least one flashlight per room. Hand-cranked flashlights (and radios) don’t need batteries. If you can’t afford one right now, put it on your wish list; maybe Great-Aunt Irene will give you that instead of a cheese log next Christmas.

If you must use candles, select votive-type ones and set them inside wide-mouthed jars, placed in areas where no one can accidentally knock them down. Buy the votives for pennies at post-holiday clearance sales. Those sales are also good for cheap paper plates and bowls — not eco-friendly but really useful if you can’t do dishes for days.

Layering is essential in cool or cold temperatures. Watch for thermal underwear, wool pants and other useful items on Craigslist/Freecycle or at yard sales. I bought polypropylene longhandles and a down vest at a thrift store. Make sure everyone has a stocking cap, too.

Look around your house to see how much of this stuff you already own. Most of us at least have sweaters or sweatshirts. If you’re not in a super-cold area, a comforter might double as a sleeping bag. A hibachi could substitute for a bottled-gas camp stove — but remember you can use these things outdoors only, because carbon monoxide is deadly.

Miscellaneous Tips

You can’t truly be ready for a disaster. It’s always stressful and often terrifying. However, you can at least be prepared. Here are a few more items to keep in mind:

  • Learn the location of your local/regional emergency shelter, just in case.
  • Keep a cache of cash — smalls bills and coins — on hand. No power means no debit or credit if you do find a store that’s open.
  • Put supplies where you can get at them easily, not down in the crawlspace or up in the rafters.
  • Wheeled garbage cans make great storage: Your items will be protected and movable. Label each one so you can find what you need, fast.
  • Water left over after making tea? Don’t let it get cold again — pour it into a thermos.
  • You’ll want basic first-aid supplies, including an anti-diarrheal medication. Many of these items can also be bought cheaply or free with those drugstore rebates.
  • On maintenance meds? Get in the habit of refilling as soon as you’re allowed, i.e., don’t wait until you take your last pill to call it in.
  • Choose no-salt canned vegetables. Not only are they healthier, you can use the drained-off liquid to dilute canned soup. Save the syrup from canned fruits, too, to sip for quick energy, settle an upset stomach or sweeten a cup of tea.
  • Don’t forget pet food and litter. Factor in extra water for Fido and Fluffy, too.
  • Have some playing cards or small games that everyone can play. I suggest Mad Libs.
  • Make sure you have a manual can opener. You’ll feel darned stupid asking to borrow a neighbor’s.

How about it, readers: Any ideas for getting ready without breaking the bank?

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

Though J.D.’s back on the blog, he’s still a bit behind — so much e-mail! — so here’s a guest-post from Tim Ellis, who writes Seattle Bubble when he isn’t glued to a screen, zoned out on video games. You can find him playing as “TH3 T1M” on Xbox Live and on PSN.

I’ve been an avid gamer ever since I bought my first Nintendo Entertainment System when I was ten. Today I have a Wii, an Xbox 360, and a PS3. My library of games includes major titles including the big Mario and Halo games, LittleBigPlanet, Batman: Arkham Asylum… you get the picture.

Even with a serious untreated gaming addiction, I manage to spend just a few hundred dollars a year on my gaming habit. (I’m not rich, after all.) I bought all three of the consoles mentioned above for a combined total of about $400 (today’s retail price: $800), and I rarely spend more than $20 on a game, despite the fact that most titles retail for $50 to $60. Here are a few of the tricks I use to indulge in my gaming habit without laying waste to my carefully-constructed budget.

Patience Pays

Exercising a little patience can pay off in a big way. After just six months, that $60 new release can often be found for $40 or less. A year after they hit the shelves, it’s not uncommon for me to find some games for $30.

Patience can also pay off especially well when you also keep an eye out for sales. CAG is your best friend here. Check out their forums, or set up a Google Alert that search the whole site if you’re looking for a specific title.

If you’re a PC gamer, it’s also worthwhile to keep an eye on Steam, where they frequently throw down major sales on all sorts of popular titles. Another trend that has cropped up lately is indie game companies teaming up to offer sweet discounts on bundles of great indie titles.

Tip: Patience pays off in another way, too. If you wait instead of buying a game the day it’s released, you have time to get reviews, both from the pros and from other users. This can keep you from spending on a highly-touted game that turns out to be a dud.

Buy Used, But Avoid the big chains.

While some prominent gamers have recently raised potentially valid philosophical arguments against buying used games, one thing you can’t argue with is that buying used saves you money.

Personally, I don’t waste my time with a certain major brick-and-mortar used-game shop since their used games are usually priced only a few bucks cheaper than new. Instead, I tend to find most of my used games on Glyde.com, where I am frequently able to pick up games in excellent condition for 50% or more off the new retail price. I have also used Glyde successfully to sell games that I no longer play, which is another great way to keep costs down.

Craigslist can also be a good place to find cheap used games, if you are patient and make heavy use of their RSS feeds. I picked up the original Assassin’s Creed for $20 from someone I found on Craigslist, while the game still retailed new for $60.

Can’t Give up the new releases?

If you’re not the patient type, you can still enjoy games as soon as they come out while still not paying full retail price. In order to get people in the doors, retailers will often offer gift cards with the purchase of a new release during its first week. I even saw some stores giving gift cards with Starcraft II when it came out a couple months ago.

Don’t forget indie games, either. New release games from independent developers are often much cheaper and just as fun as the big-name blockbuster titles. Two of my personal favorite developers are Telltale Games and Twisted Pixel, but your choices in indie gaming are nearly limitless.

Who Says You Have to BUY Your Games?

Another method that can work well for playing new releases when they’re still fresh is using a game rental service like Gamefly (essentially Netflix for video games). This has the added advantage of helping you avoid accumulating stuff.

Speaking of monthly subscriptions, don’t hesitate to drop a gaming subscription if you find you aren’t playing it enough to get your money’s worth out of it anymore. Got an MMO that’s debiting your savings account $6 every month for a game you haven’t touched in half a year? Cancel it!

Frugality is Not a Form of Asceticism

Just because you’re smart with money doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. If you’re into video gaming like me, there’s no need to resign yourself to breaking the budget to enjoy your entertainment. With a little patience, some smart shopping, and a sharp eye for discounts, gaming can be a relatively inexpensive hobby.

Source: getrichslowly.org