How to Use Excel for Flexible Money Management

Create and save a new Excel workbook. Create 8 columns with the following headings: Month, Day, Description, Save, Debit, Credit, Checking Balance, Savings Balance. Bold the headings, and use the freeze panes function to freeze the top row so that you always see it at the top of your spreadsheet (Hint: look under the View tab in Office 2007, or under Window in older versions). Format columns D through H as currency (right click, format cells), and choose to have negative amounts show up in red. Use your vast knowledge of Excel to make the spreadsheet pretty if you like, but avoid the table function of Excel 2007 -- it is a pain!
Type the name of the current month in the first row of the Month Column, and type today's day in first row of the day column. Type your current Checking Balance and Savings Balance in the first row of the appropriate columns.
Now, enter the recurring bills (rent, car payment, insurance, credit card, cell phone, etc.) that are coming up between now and your next paycheck, putting each one on a new row. Type in the date you actually mail the check to pay a bill or the date it is debited from your checking account. Type a generic description of the bill (ex., 'Discover Card'), and type the bill amount into the Debit column.
Enter rows (without date) for Gas, Grocery, and Miscellaneous. You should have actually created a budget at some point, so that you know about how much money you have to spend on these things. If you like, you can split Miscellaneous into additional categories. Round each bill amount UP to the nearest $5 or $10 (ex., $70, not $66).
Type in the date of your next paycheck, describe it (ex., Paycheck) and type the pay amount into the credit column. Round your approximate pay DOWN to the nearest $5 or $10 (ex., $1025 or $1020, not $1028). On the next row, enter the description Savings, and type the amount you plan to save from each paycheck into the Savings column.
Now, enter the recurring bills coming up between this paycheck and the next, followed by the Gas, Grocery, Miscellaneous categories. Then, enter the next paycheck amount, followed by savings. Repeat until you have entered all of the info for the next six months -- you should be able to copy and paste most of this info to save time. Enter any additional income as needed, typing the amount into the credit column. Be sure to type the name of the new month at the appropriate place.
Now that you have the basic framework, you need to enter formulas into the Checking Balance and Savings Balance columns so that it will automatically calculate for you. For this example, I am going to assume that your headings are in row 1, your starting balances are in row 2, and your columns are A-Month, B-Day, C-Description, D-Save, E-Debit, F-Credit, G-Checking Balance, and H-Savings Balance. In cell G3, enter =G2-D2-E2+F2 This will subtract any savings and debit and add any pay to your checking balance.In cell H3, enter =H2+D2 This will add the amount you save to your savings balance.Copy and paste these formulas into all of the cells of columns G and H.
Periodically -- once a week or before/after any unusual purchases -- look up your ACTUAL bank balances and type them into the balance column on the appropriate date. Be sure that all of the items listed before that date HAVE already come out of your account -- if not, you may need to shift a row up or down. If you move any rows, re-copy or retype the formulas in columns G and H to be sure they are correct.
Now, just look over your balances. Will your checking balance go into the red in two months? If so, you need to cut something out! Spend less on entertainment, eat Ramen, or as a last resort, reduce the amount you are paying to your credit card or saving. I find that actually having to cut those payment amounts makes me really re-think sushi lunches!
If you keep going into the red, you need to take a look at your bank statement to see where you are overspending your budget.Try to keep your savings balance above $100 at all times. If you have a good bit more, increase the amount you are paying on your credit card or saving -- don't just let that money sit there burning a hole in your pocket, or you will spend it.
Delete past months, and keep planning at least six months ahead. When you get used to this method, you will be able to realistically plan your spending, quickly see when you are spending too much, and adjust so that you don't go into the red!
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How to Earn Power Up Rewards Points (4 Steps)

Stop by your local GameStop video game store and tell the salesperson you would like to obtain a PowerUp Rewards membership card.
Sign up to become a member. You can do so by giving your phone number and email address to the store clerk. He will then give you a membership card, which can be used instantly. As a member, you will receive invitations for events, as well as special GameStop promotions and offers via email.
Make a purchase at GameStop. By dong so, PowerUp Rewards points will be awarded onto your membership card. The number of points awarded to your card depends on the price of your purchase.
Go online to Gamestop.com to choose your rewards from the Rewards Catalog. Rewards include exclusive collector's items, GameStop gift cards and store merchandise.
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How Do I Make Money Scrapping Circuit Boards?

Locate metal recyclers and refineries in your area. You can search online or contact your local department of public works to find out if they know of any circuit board buyers in your area. Create a list that includes the name, address and preferred contact method (phone, email or personal visit) for each potential buyer.
Contact each recycling company and refinery local to you. Find out how much they pay and what their requirements are. Some buyers will only accept the circuit board itself, while others will take whole computers and pay you extra for the other computer parts.
Make a list of each buyer along with the prices they pay and their requirements.
Search local ads such as Craigslist, for free computers that you can pick up and recycle for money.
Place an ad on free ad boards to let your community know that you will pick up their old computers for free. If you can afford it, you could also take out an ad in the local paper.
Check the metal prices regularly. Sites such as Precious Metals Refined and RECYCLENET post the daily metal prices in their 'Markets at a Glance' section. By learning the trends, you know when the buyers will be paying more.
Look outside of your local area if there are no refineries and recyclers nearby. Companies such as Gazelle purchase circuit boards through an online website. They even pay for the shipping and handling and will even send you boxes for shipping.
Join online or local groups that discuss circuit board recycling trends. There you will have a group of peers that can provide some tips and pointers that will help you in your circuit board scrapping business.
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How to Find Cash Flow An Make Money For Investment Property

Determine Your Mortgage Payment
Your mortgage payment is the most important part of the cash flow calculation. The 4 factors that determine your payment are, price of property, down payment, Interest rate, and length of the loan.
Try using an online mortgage calculator, just Google 'mortgage calculator'. Use it to determine a range of payments from the lowest to the highest.
For example, use best and worse case scenarios. In one scenario use the highest interest rate you could get. Next, use the lowest rate you could get.
If you want to make money with investment property, know your mortgage payment!
Determine The Expenses For The Building
Find out the yearly costs for taxes, insurance, waste removal, water & sewerage. If you want to buy investment property and make money you need to estimate these cost accurately. So do your research!
I purposely left out utilities such as phone, cable, heat, and electric. These bills should be paid for by the tenants.
Add Maintenance Costs
You need to set aside money each month to cover maintenance expenses. Such thing as, a new roof, water heater, windows, painting, rugs, need to be accounted for and included in your cash flow analysis.
Depending on the size investment property, set aside 1-4% of the value of the property per year.
Example, if the house is tiny use 1%. If the house is very large use 4%.
Predict a high maintenance cost for your cash flow estimation. This will insure your investment property makes money.
Rental Income
Determine how much money each unit can be rented for.
Compare your investment property to similar ones and find out how much people are paying for rent.
Once you determine a solid estimate....subtract 5-10%!!! For instance if rent is going for $1000 per month, subtract 10% or ($100). Use $900 for your cash flow estimation.
Discounting rental rates is a good way to avoid unexpected downturns in the market. It will also help lower your chances of loosing money due to inaccurate cash flow estimations.
FYI, CHARGE THE GOING RATE! Just because you estimated lower doesn't mean you have to charge less.
Determine Cash Flow Of Investment Property
ADD: Your rental income for the entire year
SUBTRACT: Step 2 and 3
SUBTRACT: Entire year worth of mortgage payments at the highest interest rate you can afford.
Whats left is how much you will make or lose for the entire year.
One last thing, subtract 30% for taxes. This is your net income or Cash Flow.
Is The Money Good
Make sure that your return is at least 8-10%!!!!
Example, If your down payment is $10,000 and your net Income = $1000, your total return equals 10%! ($1000 divided by $10,000)
You should make at least 8-10% on each investment property. Any returns lower than this is not worth your efforts. Plus, if your predictions are accurate, you can count on making more than just 8-10%.
Tips and Explanations
I did not include depreciation expense in my cash flow estimation. I left this out purposely to give you a conservative way to predict cash flow. If I included depreciation your return will increase. Yes, I said increase!
If your return is under 8-10%, negotiate the price of the building and the interest rates on your loan. Negotiation is a great key to making money with investment property.Finally, try to be conservative!!! This will ultimately make you more money than you expected. It also avoids make bad investments. Remember, if the numbers don't work...don't buy it!
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How to Recycle Plastic for Cash in Texas

Call your local 211 information line to get the address of the closest recycling facility in your neighborhood that may provide recycle bins that you could have free of charge to avoid the expense of a new recycling bin. Use a freestanding large plastic bin on wheels that will hold all of your plastic recyclables for transport.
Phone the recycling company list for the ones that are paying cash for your plastic bottles and containers. Independent recycling is different from curbside service in neighborhoods, where the recycling is voluntary and not paid. The going price for each bottle is usually five cents, as of November 2010.
Look at the bottom of your plastic bottles for the recycle symbol and a number from 1 to 5 and 7 only. The most popular plastic containers are the water bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, juice containers, yogurt containers, shampoo, liquid soap and detergent bottles. Rinse out the containers and dry them before placing them into the recycle bin.
Separate the plastic bottles by number and write down the number of bottles you have for recycling. Some recycling companies only accept certain numbers of plastic containers. The most prevalent plastic recyclable containers are labeled as: 1.) water bottles, small juice bottles; 2.) plastic juice jugs and 7.) gallon milk containers. The recycling company will tell you if you should put the plastic bottle caps on the bottles or if the caps should be in a separate container or not at all.
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How to Make Money Giving Away Free Cellphones

Research and find one or more affiliate programs you can join, which pay you for giving away free cell phones. An affiliate program is a program which pays you money each time someone you send to them makes a purchase. In this case, every time someone signs up to pay for airtime for a phone you have given away. The amount of your commission varies from company to company, so compare before signing up. Signing up for most affiliate programs is free.
Make note of your affiliate identification number. This number must be used each time anyone you have given a free phone to signs up for phone service.
Many affiliate programs give you a free website which is used to make the actual sale of airtime. If a customer orders from your provided website, your affiliate number is automatically sent to the company and you are automatically paid. Make a note of the URL of any free websites you have been given by the cell phone company.
Make your own website if one is not provided for you or hire someone to make a professional-looking website. Make certain that your affiliate number is automatically linked to the button that a customer uses to sign up for air time.
Advertise your site. This can mean writing articles about free cell phones and providing them to article directories with your website's address in the article or in the resource box at the end of the article, or it could mean posting on Twitter, Facebook, You Tube and other social networking sites the fact that you have free cell phones.
Monitor your payments. If you sign up as an affiliate with more than one company, keep track of which company's free cell phones are making you the most money and concentrate most of your advertising efforts on the most profitable companies.
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