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21 Reasons Dave Ramsey Sucks at Giving Credit Score Advice

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Dave Ramsey credit cards

There are huge disadvantages of having no credit score. I actually know this better than most. After living over ten years in Japan, I came back to the US naively assuming that the credit history I had built over there would transfer back to the US. That wasn’t the case and I found myself having to deal with numerous situations without a credit score. From my personal experience of having to deal with all the negatives that come with having no credit score, as well as knowing a number of others who experienced a similar situation to me when they returned, I can say with conviction that Dave Ramsey gives horrible credit score advice.

For those unfamiliar, Dave Ramsey refers to a credit score as the “I-Love-Debt Score” and makes the statement that “the only way to have a good credit score is to go into debt, stay in debt, and continually pay your accounts perfectly — without adding too much debt or paying too much off. In other words, stay in debt for as long as you can.” This is patently false as I currently have no debt whatsoever and yet have a good credit score. Others do too.

He then advises that since you are working to become debt free, once you reach that goal you “…don’t need a credit score, anyway, since you don’t plan on using credit!” While this might sound nice, I can attest that even when you are debt free, a good credit score comes in extremely handy. I would even argue that having one is essential if you want to truly be financially savvy since it can save you a lot of money. If you care about getting the most out of your money, a credit score, whether we like it or not, is important to have.

While you may have heard some of the below arguments before regarding why a credit score can be important, my guess is that some of my arguments you may never have considered before. Below are 21 reasons that it’s important to keep a good credit score even if you’re debt free (and why Dave Ramsey sucks at giving credit score advice).

Wasted Time

This one is huge and one that I rarely see mentioned. I can’t over emphasize this point enough, and I would argue for this reason alone, you want to keep a good credit score. Not having one will mean that you will have to spend a lot more time when it comes to numerous financial situations, including any of the ones mentioned below. If you believe that your time is worth something as I do, wasted time can be a huge cost. Even when you are able to get what you want, you usually have to spend a lot more time explaining why you don’t have a credit score even though you don’t have any debt. I had to spend countless extra hours, many being extremely frustrating, sorting out my financial situation which should have been straight forward and simple all because I had no credit history.

Difficulties Even When Successful

Another problem with having no credit score is that even when you successfully get what you want, it’s much more difficult to get it than if you had a good credit score. Not having a credit score often means going through several layers of management until you can reach someone who will approve what you need. The fact is that for most entry-level employees, if anything isn’t exactly correct, they can’t approve it. That means that people who don’t have credit scores have to work much harder to get things than others that have a good credit score can get without any hassles.

Poor Customer Service

This is another aspect of not having a credit score that is often not mentioned, but the reality is that if you have no credit score, you don’t get treated nearly as well in many situations as you do when you have a good credit. When institutions look up my credit these days, they always seem to come back with a smile and an attitude that they are willing to do anything they can to help me. When I had no credit score, they always came back with concerned looks and a demeanor telling me that it was going to be difficult to help me even if they did the best that they could. The fact is, having a good score means that you will get better treatment from anyone who looks it up.

Lack of Financial Flexibility

Having a good credit score gives you a lot of financial flexibility that isn’t available for those with no credit score. When you have a good credit score, there are many financial institutions that want to work with you. That’s not the case when you have no credit score. Having a quality credit score means that you can get a much better deal when it come to virtually any financial transaction than you could get with no credit score at all. When the unexpected happens and you need to get funds for something that you had never anticipated, you simply have more flexibility in getting them than you do without a score to your name. This include the flexibility of financially helping out others if you choose to do so.

Increase Large Transaction Risks

One of the things that I immediately realized when I was still trying to get a credit card (which I was having trouble doing because I didn’t have a credit score) was the additional risk that came when making large purchases. I have always put the purchase of my airline tickets on credit cards because years ago I had a ticket on an airline that suddenly went bankrupt. Since I had made the purchase with a credit card, the credit card company refunded the amount back to me since I never received the service I had paid for. Had I not paid with a credit card in that instance, I would have simply lost the money. I had to make a number of large purchases upon arriving back in the US and although I was able to make them in other ways, I felt a bit uneasy knowing that if things went wrong, I really had no protection simply due to the lack of a credit rating.

Emergency Cash

Having lived through the Great Hanshin Earthquake (along with a number of smaller natural disasters), I know the importance of having access to emergency funds. When these disasters happen, it’s often impossible to get access to money that you have in your bank account (in the case of the Hanshin Earthquake, it was over 2 weeks before I had access to those funds). It helps to have cash in the days immediately after the disaster when many of the electronic transaction systems are down, but it also helps to have a credit card. During that time, my credit card was a lifesaver in securing a hotel room and other needs when I needed to spend thousands of dollars to get out of the city and find other lodging, but still didn’t have access to my bank accounts. Living in an area of the US where I knew a similar disaster could take place, I found that I needed to keep a lot more cash on hand in case of an emergency. I ended up losing interest on the cash I took out of the bank account plus there was the risk that it might get stolen, or in an emergency I wouldn’t be able to get to where I kept it in my house. Even with a large amount of cash on hand, I still felt my financial preparation was far from adequate had a true emergency happened. That is not the case now that I have good credit and credit cards.

Debit Cards Have Drawbacks

It’s often argued that there really is no need to have credit cards if you have a debit card, but in my experience, there are some definite drawbacks to this argument. I had a friend who had his debit card stolen and his account compromised. While he eventually got all the money that was taken out of his account back, his account ended up being frozen for a few weeks while an investigation took place. During this time, he had no access to any of his banking funds. As mentioned above, in an emergency you might need to access more funds than are in your debit card account with no way to transfer additional funds to it. It also doesn’t cover you with large transactions like an airline ticket refund if an airline goes bankrupt.

Difficulty Getting Security Clearance

One of my friends who came back after living overseas for a number of years landed a great job, but the job required security clearance. The lack of a credit score turned out to be a major stumbling block for him to get his clearance. He eventually did, but it took a lot of time and effort since his lack of one sent up a red flag, and even ended up meaning much more scrutiny in other areas of his life as well to get the clearance. Again, if you consider time and aggravation as a cost, then there is a definite one when you don’t have a score to your name.

Difficulty Getting an Apartment

I remember talking with one apartment manager when returning to the US that told me as soon as I mentioned that I didn’t have a credit score that I wouldn’t get approved for an apartment in his complex. He explained that there was high demand for the apartments so it simply wasn’t worth the risk to management even though I had a good explanation as to why I didn’t have one. While I did eventually find an apartment, the lack of a score caused some type of issue at each complex I looked at, making the entire process much more difficult than it ever should have been, and definitely much more so than if mine had been good.

The Possibility of Divorce

Nobody ever thinks they are going to get divorced when they first get married, but the truth of the matter is a high percentage of couples do. If you go into a divorce without a credit score, this can cause a number of issue both during and after. When people believe that they will never have to take out another loan when they become debt free, they are probably at a point where they never think they will get divorced either. The problem with divorce is that it can be an extremely expensive process and can quickly wipe out any savings and emergency funds that you might have had. Once divorced, financial circumstances can greatly change to where loans you thought you would once never need, might be needed to bridge gaps until you can create a new budget for your new reality. Hiring lawyers, finding a new job, getting a new place to live all become more difficult without a score in an already stressful time.

Difficulty Getting Loan Approval

If there is ever a situation when you need a loan, not having a credit score will make it many times more difficult to secure it than if you have a good credit. The thing is, even if you anticipate never needing to get another loan again, circumstances change and life could place a wrench into your best laid plans. Even if you are debt free at a moment and don’t anticipate ever needing a loan, that can quickly change if you unexpectedly lose a job and are unable to find a new one as quickly as you hoped. Life throws curve balls from time to time and if you are thrown one without a good credit to your name, recovering from it can be a lot more difficult than if you had it.

A More Expensive Mortgage

If you need to take out a mortgage, you will end up paying much more if you don’t have a credit score. The problem is that no credit score is equivalent to a bad credit score to most lending institutions. If they have no records that you can pay off your debts, they assume the worst and assume that you can’t. This means no score is the same as having a terrible score in the eyes of lending institutions. While you still may be able to secure a loan (and you may not), you will end up having to pay a larger interest rate to do it which can mean paying tens of thousands of dollars more over the lifetime of the loan.

Difficulty Securing Utility Services

When I needed to get utilities in my name after returning from Japan, I couldn’t just call and have them turned on like I expected. Several required me to pay a deposit in order to put the service in my name since I had no credit history of paying these bills in the past. It makes for an extra step in the process, it takes more time to get the service and you lose the interest that you could have earned from the money that you must give as a deposit.

Trouble Getting a Cell Phone Contract

Upon my return to the US, I was actually denied the first cell phone contract I tried to get due to no credit history. I was eventually able to secure one, but I ended up having to pay a deposit to do so much like I had to when it came to the utilities. While the deposit wasn’t a huge amount, I did lose the interest that I could have been earning on it. Far more frustrating was the extra time and headaches (and the costs associated with them) caused by not having a score that would have never come into play if I had a good one.

Possible Negative Effect on Job Opportunities

One thing that many people fail to realize is that as many as 70% of companies will check the credit history of a candidate for a job before they hire. With so many qualified people in the job market these days, it’s often the little things that end up determining who gets hired. A lack of a credit score compared with someone with the same qualifications that has a stellar one could be the difference in who gets the job. Similar small details can make the difference on promotions within certain corporations, especially for sensitive positions. If you lose a job or are passed over a promotion, that can mean thousands of dollars in lost income.

Pay More for a Car

There have been a number of surveys over the years that show that some car dealers have a tiered system on how much they mark-up a car depending on the credit score of the individual buying the car. Those who are deemed the least credit worthy, which would include those with no credit score, can be charged as much as 3.5% more for a car than those with top scores. This has nothing to do with the interest rate on a car loan, but the actual amount that is charged for the car. That means that even if you don’t need a car loan, you can potentially end up paying more for a car when you don’t have a score.

Another way that lack of a score can cost you more, as pointed out by Anni in the comments, is that you can often get dealer discounts by financing a car worth thousands of dollars, then pay off the car loan soon after. I know that this situation arises because I did it once for one of my car purchases. I had the cash to purchase the car in full, but there was a deal to save $2000 through the credit section of the car maker if I agreed to finance the car, so it made good financial sense to do so. I took the $2000 discount and the loan, but as soon as the $2000 credit came through, I paid off the entire loan. The key here is that to take advantage of these car maker financing discounts, you have to qualify for them, and if you don’t have a credit score, you’re not likely to do so.

A More Expensive Car Loan

If you do need to take out a car loan, you will end up paying thousands of dollars more in interest charges with no score than you would with a good one. Interest rates for those with good credit are usually in the low single digits, while those without will pay double-digit interest rates on the exact same loan. While you may not think you will ever need to take out a loan again, something that you never expected like a divorce or a lost job could result in you needing to get one.

More Expensive Insurance

The insurance industry is in the business of assessing risk. They look at a wide variety of things to determine the risks of the individuals and families that use their services. One of the things that they look at is your credit score. Having one that is poor makes you a higher risk than an individual who has one that is high. The problem is that having no score doesn’t allow them to determine whether you are a higher or lower risk, so they will always make the assumption that you are a higher risk when the risk is unknown. What that all means is that if you have no score, you will end up paying more for life insurance, car insurance and homeowners insurance than you would if you hade a good score.

Difficulty Getting a Credit Card

One of the things that Dave Ramsey says is that you don’t want credit cards, but this is only true if you can’t control yourself. The truth is that credit cards are only a disadvantage if you don’t pay them off fully each month. Once you are out of debt and have built an emergency fund so that there is no need to put expenses on your credit card that you can’t pay off in full each month, credit cards are actually a financially savvy tool to use. They give you insurance in many transactions you may not have otherwise, they may provide additional insurance for you with certain purchases such as airline tickets and car rentals, and they can even pay you cash back for purchases you would otherwise make. The problem is that if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need a credit card, but you don’t have a score, it can be extremely difficult to get one. Even when you do, you can expect to have a very low credit limit that will take years to grow to where it can be useful for larger purchases. I know because the only credit card I could qualify for when I returned was with a bank that I had been with for over 20 years, and they still would only give me one with a $500 limit to start.

Difficulty Getting School Loans

If you ever decide to go back to school, having no score can make it difficult to secure loans. Again, many assume that they will never need to go to school again, but further education might be the only way to secure a job if you happened to lose the one you have. If you can’t qualify for student loans from your school or federally funded loans to pay for your education, you will have to turn to private loans which have interest rates much higher and can end up costing you thousands of dollar more for the same education.

Difficulty Getting Business Loans

If at any time you decide that you would like to start a business, not having a score can hurt you financially in trying to secure a loan for the business. When banks give business loans to individuals, they want to see that they have a track record of paying out the other loans that they have taken out. With no score to your name, that record doesn’t exist and you become a greater risk to give a business loan to. With no score, you might not be able to qualify for one at all without putting up a large amount of collateral, and even if you do, you are likely to pay a higher interest rate on the loan than if you had good credit. You will definitely have a much more difficult time securing the loan which can mean many more hours (if not days) trying to get the money you need.

Dave Ramsey gives lousy credit score advice because he fails to take into account that life can get messy in ways that we never anticipate. In addition, he doesn’t take into account the costs associated with the extra time and aggravations that can come with not having a score. If it were true that you needed to always remain in debt in order to have a good credit score as he states, I might give him some slack, but the fact is that this statement is patently false, I know because I’m currently debt free with a good score. While I’m certainly not saying that all the advice that he gives is bad, the advice he gives regarding credit scores sucks.

Finally, if you don’t like my analysis and want to see what Dave Ramsey has to say, think about getting a copy of his book The Total Money Makeover. The book is an combination of educational handbook, inspirational coaching guide and self study manual. It has sold something like 5 million copies – so its a good example of his best work.

10 Inexpensive Alternatives to Flowers at Funerals

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alternatives to flowers at funerals

Romantics will tell you that fresh flowers are perfect objects of condolence because they symbolize the beauty and brevity of life; allergics will tell you that they would prefer their sniffles and tears at a funeral to be from grief. Whichever position you hold, I hope you’ll agree with me that fresh flowers can cost a lot for the amount of time they last – which are just a couple of the reasons you might want to consider other alternatives to flowers at funerals.

10 Inexpensive Alternatives to Sending Flowers

When the deceased was well known, a grieving family may receive so many flowers that they hardly notice the particular arrangement you lovingly selected. Often, other means of condolence can be better appreciated and less expensive than fresh flowers.

  1. Send a potted plant. For those who want to stick close to tradition, consider sending a potted plant from your garden in a basket or pot from a thrift shop; grieving family members can transplant your gift into their yard and have a lasting memorial to their loved one.
  2. Donate to charity. This is becoming more common; many obituaries will suggest a favored charity to receive gifts in lieu of flowers. If no charity is suggested, be sure to choose one the deceased would appreciate; don’t give to PETA if his favorite meal was surf and turf or donate to a church if she was an atheist.
  3. Housesit during the funeral. Consider housesitting during the funeral, particularly if you did not know the deceased well but are close to a family member. Sometimes homes of grievers are targets for burglars who browse the obituaries looking for names of family members and funeral times.
  4. Offer babysitting services. Likewise, many families could use a babysitter during the funeral. Families with children too small to attend the funeral would greatly appreciate having someone they know to stay with the young ones so that everyone else can attend. If you plan to attend the funeral yourself, offer to take the kids away for a few hours while the adults make funeral arrangements.
  5. Write a letter. Tell the family how much you appreciated the person who died. A letter works well if you were closer to the deceased than to the family. Tell stories about their loved one that they might not have heard; recall fond memories so that they have an opportunity to smile during a sad time.
  6. Create a photo collage. You may be able to display a photo collage of the deceased at the meal for the funeral. A collage gives mourners something to gather near and often sparks memories for those who see it.
  7. Cook a meal for the family. If you don’t cook well, consider putting together a tray of lunch meat (assuming they are not vegetarians) so that the family and those who visit during the days following the death have something to prepare easily when they get hungry. (Food is often the last thing on their minds.)
  8. Offer to help with laundry or run errands. It’s difficult to manage these duties alone while planning the funeral or managing details of the estate. One fewer thing on a to-do list can be a big relief for someone who is grieving.
  9. Offer correspondence services. If you know the family well, offer to make a list of names and addresses of everyone who sent condolences, to make calls to far-away friends and relatives who might not have heard about the death, or even to answer their incoming calls for a while so they can rest.
  10. Stick around. Mourners often say that the hardest time is after the funeral when all the commotion has died down, and they are left alone. Be sure to check in on a friend who has lost a loved one several weeks and months after the funeral. Call or send cards each month saying, “You’re still in my thoughts and prayers,” or make a point to schedule more frequent visits if your friend now lives alone.

Remember, each person mourns differently. Know the person you are trying to comfort and offer what will be most appreciated. Some will want to talk; others will need some space. If you’re not sure what to do, consider asking your friend how you can best help him or her get through the difficult grieving process.

Do you have any other ideas for alternatives to sending flowers? Share them in the comments below.

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Here Are 13 of the Best National Pizza Day Deals and Freebies

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Pizza is one of the top favorite foods in the United States and throughout the world. Because of this, we have an entire day dedicated to pizza: National Pizza Day celebrated on February 9.

Like many other food holidays, you’ll likely find some great deals and freebies. Here are some of the deals you should check out if you plan on celebrating.

National Pizza Day Deals and Freebies

National Pizza Day only comes once a year, so it’s a good idea to cash in on it while you can. Here are some of the best deals and freebies happening on February 9.

Blaze Pizza: Order online and get two pepperoni pizzas for $10.

Caulipower: Starting February 9, you get a BOGO coupon for a cauliflower crust pizza when you visit CaulMeMaybe.com.

Chuck E. Cheese: From February 4-9, you can upgrade any large pizza to an XL for free. You’ll need to show a coupon at the register or ask for the “National Pizza Day” promotion.

Cici’s: Get three medium one-topping pizzas for just $12.

Domino’s: Get a three-topping pizza for $7.99, all week if you order online and pick up at the store.

IHOP: On National Pizza Day, get a Pancizza – a large pancake packaged in a pizza box through DoorDash through February 9 and for delivery in NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas.

Little Caesars: Get their pretzel crust pizza, with mozzarella, munster cheese, and pepperoni for just $6 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Papa John’s: Get a large specialty pie for $12.

Pilot Flying J: This pizza chain celebrates National Pizza Day the entire week. From February 3 through February 10, Customers can get a free slice of pizza through their app. If it’s your first time, you can also get a free drink.

Pizza Hut: From February 7-17, you can get a large pizza for $10.99 with promo code “THANKYOU” at checkout. (Carry-out only.)

Red Baron: Enter a free pizza contest on Red Baron’s Facebook and Instagram pages, from 7 a.m. ET on February 7 through February 9 at midnight. Make sure to check out the requirements online.

Round Table Pizza: On February 9, get a coupon for a free cheese or one-topping personal pizza for every pizza you order. Coupons are for future visits, dine-in only, until the end of February, dine-in only.

Toppers: Toppers also celebrates the entire week. From February 3 through February 10, get two items for $9.99 if you order online. These items can be any size house pizza or three-topping pizza and any Topperstix. Each Pick Two order is also one entry into their free pizza for a year contest.

Other #NationalPizzaDay Promotions

There are tons of other National Pizza Day promotions and events going on that you’ll want to check out. Not sure how to celebrate this year? Here’s a look at what’s going on with the biggest pizza chains.

Make sure you check the smaller businesses in your area, which often have sales and deals as well. If there’s a local business or pizza place that you are curious about, contact them directly. It is likely they’ll have some kind of deal or freebie available for the day.

How are you celebrating National Pizza Day? Let us know in the comments below!

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Insomnia and Sleep Deprivation Are Killing Your Finances (and Health)

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Sleep deprivation

Everyone is wired a little differently. Some people prefer to get up early and conquer the day, while others prefer to spend the nighttime awake. A number of studies have examined how the latter may impact your health and other aspects of your life – including finances. So, what exactly does sleep deprivation do to your finances?

Your Body Clock and Mental Health

Whether you’re aware of it or not, your body has an internal clock that “resets” every 24 hours or so. Scientists have said this is your body’s way of aligning itself with the sun and moon. However, recent research has shown a strong link between sleep deprivation (or being a night owl) and mental health.

The research, which was released last week, further explained that being a morning person or night owl is actually a consequence of your internal body clock. All of this is shaped by your genes. According to the research, some genes can shift a person’s sleep schedule.

Researchers investigated these genes and whether or not they were associated with mental health. What they found was people who wake up earlier are more likely to have a more positive sense of well-being. Altogether, these individuals had a lower risk of developing depression or schizophrenia.

“Our work indicates that part of the reason why people are up with the lark while others are night owls is because of differences in both the way our brains react to external light signals and the normal functioning of our internal clocks,” lead author Samuel Jones, Ph.D., said. “These small differences may have potentially significant effects on the ability of our clock to keep time effectively, potentially altering risk of both disease and mental health disorders.”

Folks who aren’t getting enough sleep or who have poor sleep patterns have more to worry about where their finances are concerned as well.

Sleep Deprivation and Money

While there is no surprise that sleep deprivation has an impact on your mental health, many people find it interesting that your regular sleep patterns can affect your finances as well. Around one-third of Americans report they get less than seven hours of sleep on a regular basis. This type of sleep deprivation leads to the loss of 1.2 million working days a year.

Of those who say they aren’t getting proper sleep, 65 percent say they lose sleep because of their finances. However, losing that sleep can actually lead to a loss in income. People who sleep more earn 5 percent higher wages than folks getting less than eight hours a night. This is because they typically perform better in the workplace than those not getting enough rest.

Think about the things you could do with a 5 percent raise! Now is the time to kick your sleep deprivation to the curb and better your mental and financial health. Here are a few tips to get started.

  • Keep it cool. Turning your thermostat down a few notches can help you get to sleep faster (and stay asleep longer).
  • Get a massage. Regular massages can help you wind down. They also increase the serotonin and oxytocin production in your body, increasing your feeling of happiness.
  • Improve your environment. Spend some time making your bedroom an inviting and calming place. Put some lavender in your room, add candles and soft lighting, and make your bed.
  • Listen to music or white noise. Music or white noise can help you unwind and put your mind to rest after a long day.
  • Plan your sleep. If you are a busy person, you need to draw a hard line where sleep is concerned. Plan it out and stick to it. Make sure you get the sleep you need and unplug from everything else.
  • Stop taking sleeping pills. Your body can become dependent on sleeping aids FAST. Stop taking them and allow your body to get its natural sleep pattern back.

Readers, do you have any additional tips to add to help fight off sleep deprivation?

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Sleep deprivation

Free (Or Nearly Free) Entertainment Ideas for Every Week of the Year

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free entertainment

A lot of people ask me, “If you don’t watch TV and you choose to limit movies, clubs, restaurants, etc. in order to save money, what do you do for entertainment? Aren’t you bored?” I usually look at them, dumbfounded, because to me there is too much to do and boredom is never a problem. I have never struggled to find inexpensive or free entertainment.

However, I understand that those who are used to relying on “prepackaged” entertainment may have a problem at first identifying all the fun, free things there are to do in and around their communities. When I first turned frugal, I wasn’t aware of all the things I could do, but I’ve learned over time. So, for those who are looking for more free/inexpensive things to do, I offer this list:

Free Entertainment Ideas for Every Week of the Year

1. Free museums. Some paid museums have free days, and some museums are always free. Call around to the museums in your area and ask. Some also sponsor free outings to local points of interest.

2. Read. The library is a great source of free books. Yard sales, flea markets, and book sales are great sources of very cheap books. Websites such as PaperbackSwap.com allow users to trade books just for the cost of postage.

3. Movies. Yes, I said movies. Some community groups, libraries, and museums show free movies. Many towns have a dollar theater that shows first-run movies cheap. Some libraries lend DVDs. You can also find DVDs for almost nothing at yard sales and flea markets (many times for a buck or two), and then you can resell or swap them for something new. Even renting with Redbox is much cheaper than going to the theater.

4. Take the kids to the community playground. You don’t have to go to a restaurant with a playground or a pay-to-play indoor park. Many communities have nice playgrounds that are free.

5. Go to the park. Whether it’s a park with a playground (see number 4) or a state park, there are lots of recreational opportunities at a park ranging from walking/hiking to picnicking to just sitting and reading or people watching.

6. Ride a bike. Depending on your area, a bike ride might be a good way to spend some time outdoors.

7. Go for a walk in your neighborhood. If you walk alone, it gives you some quiet time. If you walk with friends or family, and it’s a chance to connect while getting some exercise.

8. Get some friends together for a game. Gather your friends for a game of baseball, basketball, football, tennis, frisbee, or soccer game. Many communities have sports facilities that can be used by the general public when not in use for league play.

9. Live music. Some community groups and museums offer free concerts and some up, and coming bands play for free at local bars and clubs (with no cover charge). Look for open mic nights that attract up and comers.

10. Potluck or progressive dinners with friends. If you prefer something indoors, consider getting together for a meal.

11. Local theater. Some community players offer free performances to test a program before launching it on a paying audience. High schools and universities are also good sources of free theater.

12. Local historical sites, battlefields, or historic homes. Most are free, low cost or “request” a small donation.

13. Swim. Some communities offer free or low-cost public pools. Others are blessed with swimmable lakes.

14. Lectures. If you live near a university, free lectures are always offered on a variety of topics. Even without a university, many communities feature appearances by authors, actors, and others.

15. Free magazines. Check out the magazines at your local library.

16. City. Many communities offer tours for new residents or visitors. Most are free. Tag along, and you might learn something new about your area.

17. Art galleries. Many offer free showings.

18. The library. In addition to being a source of free books, most host free children’s programs and adult workshops on a variety of topics. Check their schedule for more information.

19. Craft events. Many craft sorts such as Michaels or AC Moore offer free classes and projects for both kids and adults.

20. The local bookstore. Many offer readings by authors or open mic nights for poetry or short fiction readings. Some offer story times for kids. You can also read magazines and books without making a purchase, although this privilege shouldn’t be abused.

21. Community festivals. Many communities have festivals such as spring flings, agricultural celebrations, music festivals, craft showcases, or celebrations of local heritage. Most are free to attend.

22. Parades. Christmas, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s day or local band days bring out parades including music and other performances.

23. Holiday celebrations. In addition to parades, many communities offer free activities such as fireworks on the 4th of July, egg hunts at Easter, or free New Year’s Eve parties.

24. Camp out. If you already have a tent and some sleeping bags, an overnight camp out at the local park or in your yard is a fun, inexpensive change of pace.

25. Church. If you’re religious, church can be a great source of free activities such as outings, exercise classes, crafts, and book groups.

26. The animal shelter. This is a great place to play with some animals without incurring the expense of owning one. Many shelters need volunteers to exercise the animals, so ask if you can help out. You’re doing something good for the animals and having some fun at the same time.

27. The zoo or aquarium. For more animal fun, try the local zoo or aquarium. Most are very inexpensive and many offer significant discounts to those who purchase memberships, good for more than one visit.

28. Board games, cards, and puzzles. These are inexpensive ways to pass an evening as a family. You can find lots of used games at yard sales and thrift stores, or maybe someone in your family has some that they are looking to get rid of. Even purchased new, these are inexpensive compared to the amount of entertainment you get out of them.

29. Take up an inexpensive hobby. Writing, poetry, origami, organizing the family photos, genealogy, certain crafts, etc. are all inexpensive ways to pass the time. Even cooking, while not always inexpensive, can be a frugal hobby because you get to consume the results of your labors.

30. Pick your own produce or cut your own Christmas tree. Yes, you have to pay for what you pick/cut, but you’d be buying food at the store anyway, right? Many pick your own places also offer other things like tram rides, corn mazes, petting zoos, crafts, holiday activities or performances by local groups.

31. The farmers market. Again, you have to pay for what you buy, but some farmer’s markets offer gardening classes, local performers, or holiday celebrations.

32. Public gardens. Most communities have public gardens where you can walk amongst the flowers and trees. Particularly stunning in spring.

33. Business tours. Some large companies offer free tours of their facilities, which can be interesting and might end with a free sample of the company’s products.

34. Free/low cost classes. Some community colleges or extension programs offer free classes or workshops. Even if you have to pay, the cost is usually small. Free classes or workshops are also available at some stores, such as home improvement classes at Home Depot or Lowes.

35. Minor league, college, or high school sporting events. These aren’t usually free (although some low profile college or high school sports offer free admission), but the cost is nothing when compared to major league sports.

36. Join a club. There are many clubs dedicated to all kinds of interests. Most offer free membership or nominal dues to cover operating expenses. Book clubs, Red Hat’s for senior women, clubs for people with or without kids, game clubs, sporting clubs, business clubs, are just a few examples.

37. Listen to podcasts. There are tons of good podcasts available for free. Some are funny, some are educational, and some are political. There are topics for every interest. Some are available on iTunes for free and others can be downloaded directly from websites that interest you.

38. Take the dogs to the dog park. If you have a dog park nearby, this is a good chance to get out and get some exercise and bonding time with your pet.

39. Don’t overlook the obvious attractions of your area. If you live near the mountains, you’ve got winter fun all sewn up — sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, etc. Same if you live near the coast — you’ve got fishing, beach trips, shell collecting and sandcastle building. Sometimes when you live near a natural haven for entertainment, it’s easy to forget what you have at your disposal.

40. Keep cheap entertainment on hand for the kids. Avoid rainy or snow day desperation by keeping things like coloring books, activity books, crayons, card games, craft ideas and supplies, DVD’s borrowed from the library or purchased cheaply, unread books, etc. on hand.

41. Go to the mall. No, not to shop (and be certain you can resist the temptation before you go or this tip’s worthless). Malls sometimes offer performances by school musical groups, they likely have a free indoor play area for rainy days, or you might see a fashion show. During holiday periods, you can visit Santa or the Easter Bunny. Some stores, like the Apple Store, offer free classes and instruction on their products. It’s a good place to walk if the weather is bad and people watching is always entertaining.

42. Recapture a little of your childhood with your kids. Catch fireflies in the summer, play on the swings, build roads to nowhere in the dirt, play in the sandbox, feed and watch the birds, collect rocks, etc. These simple pleasures are often overlooked in our electronic age, but they are fun for kids and low cost.

43. Yard sales and flea markets. Yes, if you buy you have to pay, but it’s entertaining and free to just look around. Sometimes there are even freebies to be had. If you have a need, you can score some great deals in the process.

44. Write a letter. Letter writing is a lost art in the age of email and cheap long distance, but it’s still fun to receive a handwritten letter from someone you care about. Write to a friend or family member that you don’t see often and update them on your life and just remind them that you care.

45. Free computer games. If you have high speed Internet access, there are a lot of free games available online. Just beware of viruses, spyware, etc.

46. Music. In addition to free concerts (#9, above) there is free music to be had that you can put on your iPod or burn to CD. iTunes offers a free download or two each week. Up and coming bands often post free songs on their websites so you can sample their wares. You can listen to many radio stations from other states or countries as free streaming broadcasts. Just remember to never illegally download or copy copyrighted music.

47. County or state fairs. Admission to many is free, while some charge a small fee. Once you’re in the gate, there’s usually no additional charge to walk the grounds and look at the exhibits or see the animals. Most only require that you pay extra for the rides and the food. If you skip the rides and pack a picnic lunch, this can be a free or cheap day out.

48. Video games. No, video game consoles aren’t cheap, but if you already have one and some games, you can pass many hours playing. Rent games or buy them cheap on the used market. If you have friends with different games or consoles, invite them over and play against them, or take your console to their house. It’s a great way to try different games and consoles while having some cheap fun.

49. The local arts center. Many communities have an arts center that hosts art exhibitions, offers art, dance or other classes, and has activities for kids. The offerings are usually ever changing and free or inexpensive.

50. The senior center. If you’re age appropriate, many areas have a senior center that offers free classes, outings, and activities just for your age group.

51. Know what you’ve already paid for. If you live in an apartment complex or housing development, you may have access to a recreation center with exercise equipment, games, game tables, movies, or areas in which you can host gatherings that your rent/dues pays for. Your development may also offer special activities such as pool parties or cookouts that are open to all residents. Make sure you keep abreast of any offerings that you’re already paying for and get the most out of them.

52. Volunteer for something you find fun. Maybe you can volunteer as an usher at a theater and see the performance for free. Or, consider volunteering at the senior center and playing cards with other people. Libraries are also great places to volunteer, plus you get to check out the new books before anyone else. Whatever you find fun can probably be turned into a volunteer activity.

The thing about free or frugal entertainment is that it isn’t always the most obvious choice. There likely isn’t a neon sign pointing you to the free museum like the one that’s pointing to the multiplex. You have to search out some offerings by looking in local papers or visiting local websites, but it’s worth your time. There’s plenty to do that’s free or low cost; you just have to accustom yourself to hunting out these jewels rather than automatically reaching for your wallet.

Do you have any free or nearly free ideas for entertainment? Share with us in the comments below.

8 Free Ways to Prepare for Higher Winter Heating Costs

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high heating costs

It’s clear that it’s going to be an expensive winter keeping your house warm. But there are some things you can do to prepare for high heating costs, that won’t cost you anything.

According to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, heating a typical home in colder areas of the country with natural gas will cost more than $1,568.

Get An Energy Audit

First, call your local utility company to get an energy audit of your house. Many utility companies offer these for free or at a very low cost. In an audit, the utility company rep will come to your house and thoroughly check for any energy leaks in your house that could cause your energy bill to be higher than it should. Once you know where your problems are, you can take care of them and work on getting your energy bill under control.

If your local utility doesn’t offer a free energy audit, you can do a free virtual energy audit at the government’s Home Energy Saver website which will also allow you compare your heating bill to others in your area.

8 Free Ways to Prepare for Higher Winter Heating Costs

Here are some other things that you can do at no cost to help reduce your heating bill:

1. Turn Down the Thermostat: The basic rule of thumb is that for every degree you turn down your heat, you save 3% in energy costs. Keep the thermostat as low as possible in the winter while still being comfortable. The closer your indoor temperature is to the outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall heating bill will be.

2. Put On an Extra Layer: There is no reason to walk around your house looking like the Michelin Man during winter, but at the same time, there’s no reason to lounge around the house in a tank top and shorts. Put on a comfortable extra layer (a thermal undershirt or a nice sweater) while in the house and lowering your thermostat will be easier.

3. Close Heating Vents: Search rooms that are rarely used and close the heating vents. Why heat a room no one is using? Before closing the vents, however, make sure there are no thermostat sensors in the room. If a sensor is located in a room that you close off, you might actually make your furnace work harder since it’ll try to warm a room that you have prevented from being warmed.

4. Clear Heating Vents: Although you want to close heating vents in the rooms you aren’t using, you also want to make sure they are clear in the rooms that you are using. Make sure rugs or furniture are not covering vents so the heat can circulate freely.

5. Close Doors: Close the doors to rooms that aren’t being used, especially closet doors. There is no reason to heat these spaces if nobody is there.

6. Close and Open Curtains and Shutters: Open your curtains and shutters wide on south-facing windows. This will let in as much sunshine as possible to help warm the house. Only close them after the sun has gone down. At the same time, close the curtains and shutters on the north side of the house as this will help insulate the house and keep heat from escaping.

7. Turn Off Ventilating Fans: Only use ventilating fans in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas when you need them and turn them off immediately once afterward. Accidentally leaving a ventilating fan on can clear out all the warm air in your house in about an hour.

8. Check the Fireplace Flue: Check the seal on your fireplace flue damper and adjust it to as tight as possible. A large gap in the flue is the same as having a window partially open in the room and the warmed air will go straight up the chimney.

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