Ipods, Xboxes, Mp3 players, video games, think of all the stuff we have we don’t need. We live in such a materialistic culture that teens think cell phones are Ipods are necessities just like food and clothing and air.

With the price of food soaring faster than it has ever soared before, the highest ever gas prices, along with the recession, some people will have to learn to cut back on the stuff they don’t really need. And some people will have to learn the difference in what they really do need and really don’t need. You need food. You don’t need an Ipod.

Think of all the money an average family would have if they didn’t it on certain “luxuries”. Some families would be rich if they could get back all that they’ve spent on video games. It seems every year a newer, better, must have model of some video game system comes out. How many different Nintendos are there? The latest model was the Nintendo Wii. The original Nintendo came out in the 1980’s. And I don’t even know how many different versions have come in between, but it’s a lot.

When trying to save money and cut back on your budget, look at how much you are spending on stuff you really don’t need.

Only buy those wanted, but certainly not needed things on special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas and set a reasonable limit to what you will spend on these non necessities.

Rather than playing video games or listening to your Ipod, try spending time with what’s really important in your life, the people you love. You can’t buy them at a store. Go on a walk, have a good conversation and enjoy each others company. And it’s free.

Ok, I have come across some pretty ridiculous fees for various stuff, but I have finally come across the most ridiculous fee ever in the history of fees.

I recently got a new credit card, my second one. I want credit cards to improve my credit score and to have for emergencies.

My first credit card is from Capital One and I always pay my bill online with my debit card. I don’t like to deal with writing checks and going to the post office to buy stamps and all that hassle.

So I went online to pay my balance on this new credit card from Credit One and what do you know, I have to pay a $5.95 fee just for paying my bill online!

THAT’S RIDICULOUS AND STUPID!

You want to charge me a fee to pay my bill?!?!

So being frugal, I hate to throw away $5.95 when I could use that to go by a pizza at Little Caesars or a bag full of books at the thrift store, but I had no choice because my bill was due the next day and if I was late in paying it, I would be charged a $20 late fee.

So if I have to choose between throwing away $6 or $20, I guess I have to throw away $6.

Could you imagine going to a store and at the cash register, your items are wrung up and then the cashier says,  “I have to charge you a fee for shopping at our store.” You’d probably be peeved cause that would be crazy. And it’s insane to charge customers a fee for paying their credit card bill.

They already charge a yearly membership fee, interest, late fees, over the limit fees, and research fee (whatever THAT is) and they want to charge a pay your bill fee on top of that?!?!

If someone only paid their bill with their debit card, it would be literally impossible to pay off their credit card balance. If they paid off the balance in full, they would be charged that stupid $5.95 fee. Then they would just be in a cycle of paying $5.95 every month for paying their bill.

So I am going to write a check, mail it to Credit One Bank, pay off my entire balance (which isn’t much) and never, ever use that credit card again.

    There are always things we can do to cut back and save some money but sometimes we really need to bring in some cash to help pay bills and buy stuff.

So I will let you know about a brand new original e-book called “8 Methods.” If you want to get started right now making money online and with no investment, this e-book tells you exactly how.

In face it gives you 8 different methods (plus more) to make money online with little or no investment. Some methods require no investment at all while some require a small investment such as a domain name. It’s simple, straight forward, and to the point.

Anyone who has a middle school education can use these methods. Since there are 8 methods, there will be someone for everyone. No technical skills are needed. If you can read and write and put in the effort, you can do it.

After reading the e-book you can get started immediately making money.

Method 1 tells you how to bring in emergency cash in less than 24 hours so if you are in a bind and perhaps have a bill you really need paid or need help buying something you need, then use this tried, tested, and true method.

All of these methods are completely clean and honest.

To go to the super simple sales page and get this super simple e-book for $19.99, go to http://www.8methods.com

You will definitely make back the $19.99 plus a lot more if you just put in the work.

It’s going to cost more to drive around now. Gas prices are increasing and you better get used to it. Don’t be surprised if a gallon of gas goes up to $4 or more a gallon this year.

This means more money out of our paycheck is going to go towards gas so that will leave less disposable income. That drive to and from work is going to cost more.

If you have a car that doesn’t get good gas mileage you might want to consider trading it in for a car that gets more gas mileage. A car that gets good gas mileage can really help out with those gas prices. Those SUVs really eat up the gas fast.

Another tip to help with gas prices is to try to do all your errands at once and go shopping less often. Instead of getting a few items from the grocery store and making frequent grocery store trips, stock up as much as you can when you go to the grocery store so you don’t have to go so often.

If you have to go to the grocery store, clothes shopping, doctor’s office, and post office, try to get it all wiped out in one day instead of 4 different trips in four days and if it’s possible, avoid going shopping when traffic’s the heaviest. Of course it is always possible to avoid rush traffic or get everything out of the way in one day.

There is also carpooling, but unfortunately, carpooling just isn’t realistic for many people. I know carpooling simply would not work for me and my life.

Gas has already reached $4 a gallon in San Mateo, California, and not surprising Bush had no idea about the cost of gas. “I hadn’t heard that,” he said at a press conference about the price of gas.

An article on abcnews.com about the price of gas is titled: “Dreading the Gas Station? Get Used To It.”