As gas prices hit all time highs we're finding our transportation budgets stretched like gumby. One way to save is to time the purchases of gas when you know that the rates are going to fall.
When you're down to about a quarter of a tank and can get gas within a 3 day period it's best to check this site and purchase gas on the down days or just before the price is about to rise.
Check out this excellent video with more gas saving tips:
Here's a great book by Derek Foster for anyone who's starting there investment journey. This book teaches you some of the basics about investment. The best concepts covered in this book are:
1) Dollar Cost Averaging 2) Dividend Re-investment Programs (DRIP)
Dollar cost averaging is a concept where you consistently invest a set amount of money regardless of how the individual security or market is performing.
Using this method allows you to purchase more shares when the price is down and less shares when the price is up. Over time you'll end up owning more shares at a lower average price. This method takes advantage of price fluctuations and market volatility. Here's an example I found of dollar cost averaging at the www.theshapeofmoney.co.nz:
Introduction to dollar cost averaging
You're able to regularly save $100 per month.
In May, the units cost $1 each, so you're able to buy 100 units. In June, the cost of the units falls to 95c, so you're able to buy 105 units. In July, the cost of the units again falls, this time to 85c, so you're able to buy 118 units. In August, the cost of the units rises to $1.05, so you're able to buy 95 units.
At the end of August, you own 418 units. The cost of the units is now $1.05, so your total investment is worth $439.
The cost of your 418 units over the four months was $400, so the average cost of each unit was 96c.
Your investment has increased from $400 to $439.
The second concept covered in this book is dividend re-investment plans or DRIP's. A DRIP is where a company offers its shareholders the option of re-investing their dividends into the company by purchasing more shares. Some companies even offer a discount which is a super attractive deal (sometimes up to 5% off the share price with the dividends re-invested).
Even if there is no discount on the share price, you can avoid hefty commission charges by signing up for this plan. Also you are using dollar cost averaging to your advantage.
Only some companies offer a DRIP so it's important to check before purchasing shares. Here is an excellent site introduced by The Lazy Investor which lists all the companies on the TSX with DRIP's http://cdndrips.blogspot.com/ .
DRIP's are an incredible way to compound your growth. If you've picked a great company and the share price increases over time and you are enrolled in the DRIP program your investment will grow astronomically. Not only will you be owning more shares over time, but as you own more shares you'll receive more dividends as a result. Which means you'll be purchasing more shares each time dividends are paid. It's a vicious cycle of wealth creation!
Check out this great video from money.com about DRIPS
$1 fountain drinks are back at McDonalds. From now until Sept 6, 2010, you can get any size fountain drink for only $1, any time of day. Iced coffee is also included on the list of drinks.
Don't forget you can also refill your soft drink when your drink it in the restaurant. You can drink so much pop that your teeth will rot off from the sugar.
