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Every penny counts. This is the reason why I am cautious where to spend it. We need to be a spend-thrift, not simply because it is wise but because it is a must.
I am into postcards and every once in a while I am tasked to take charge of the whole process – from the conceptualization up to printing. If you are to see it in a packaging it may seem a pretty taxing process. In fact, the entire thing takes a lot of effort and money. Nonetheless, it may also be on the contrary.

Printing rate is a big factor that you need to consider in dealing with postcards. Many postcard designs are ‘ganged’ in order to save on both money and time. Ganging print dramatically slashes the price of each printing job at a faster printing process. Basically, that is hitting two birds at the same time.

Ganging print goes like this, if you are going to print 12 different postcard designs on different sheets, in ganging it will be run through the press just once. By now, you can see the effect.

Another consideration that can help you is to find a commercial printer that gives a good postcard printing deal. There are available discount postcard printing deals in the business these days. Grab the opportunity to save more.

In connection to mailing postcards, postage rate can be pretty affordable. In fact, first class mail is only 23 cents. If you are to compare it with mailing letters, it is 14 cents lower. However, if you are choosing mailing some requirements must be met by your postcards. One of the requirements is the final trim size of 5 to 6 inches in length and 1-12 to 4-14 inches in height. This postcard rate includes double postcards that have reply cards.

If you opt to make postcards online, you can use ready-made templates to save time. There are thousands of them online. All you have to do is download them. By that process, designing will be made easy and will not eat your time.

To make it even easier, you can upload your own mailing list from several file formats. Check this mailing list against your official post office records. Change any errors to preclude you from spending further on invalid addresses. Finally, save your mailing list for future use.

In 1985, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) accounted for only 2 percent of new vehicle sales. But by 2001, one in four new vehicles purchased was an SUV, according to The SUV Info Link Web site. With the prevalence of these large, gas-guzzling vehicles on the road today, more consumers are looking for ways to save money at the pump.

One quick and low-cost way for drivers to help improve their gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, based on U.S. Department of Energy calculations, is to simply change their vehicle’s dirty air filter.

“To help protect your engine and keep it running at its best, it is important to properly service your vehicle’s air filter,” advised Susan Groom, leader of product engineering at FRAM. “Over time, the air filter becomes clogged with dirt and debris. This can restrict airflow to the engine, resulting in decreased performance and lower fuel efficiency.”

SUVs and trucks are generally driven harder than passenger cars, and strenuous tasks such as driving in dirty or dusty road conditions, idling in stop-and-go traffic, and towing heavy loads can have an adverse impact on their engines. For this reason, AAA recommends checking your vehicle’s air filter at least twice a year, and more often in dusty conditions.

Motorists can provide their SUV or truck with the ultimate engine protection by installing a premium-brand air filter developed specifically for their vehicle, such as the FRAM Tough Guard Premium Air Filter. Created to meet the tough driving conditions trucks and SUVs often encounter, this advanced filter boasts performance features such as a premium pre-oiled media that is designed for increased dirt-holding capacity. The oil helps attract and capture smaller dirt and dust particles that traditional dry paper filters can miss. Additionally, the filter’s heavy-duty construction offers increased durability and greater integrity, and a “pleat lock” system on Flex Panel models allows consistent airflow and less restriction to help improve overall engine performance.

“A properly maintained air filter will not only enhance SUV and truck performance, but also contribute to savings at the pump,” Groom noted.

Here are four uncommon things that you can do to save energy.

1) Change time zones.

That is, when possible, travel when others are less likely to be on the road. You will save gas by avoiding delays. For example, avoid rush hour traffic by leaving an hour early. Then use this extra hour to read, plan your day, or add an little extra to your job. If your company permits flex time hours, then you could leave for home before rush hour starts.

Also, consider shopping early or late in the day. Besides encountering less traffic, you will find that there are fewer shoppers and shorter lines in the stores. That produces a time saving bonus by making your shopping more efficient.

2) Ride a bicycle.

But do this in your car. That is, pretend that you have to peddle in order to make your car move. Avoid quick starts, acceleration up hills, and driving into a stop. Instead, start gradually, take it easy going up hills, and coast to a red light – just as if you were the engine.

Of course, use common sense. For example, move with the traffic and do this when appropriate.

3) Shut it off.

Some people leave the engine running when they park. This is a terrible idea because: a) it wastes gas, b) it leaves your car exposed to theft, and c) if children are left in the car, they could cause an accident by putting the car in gear.

Similarly, turn off the engine any time that you have to wait for more than about half a minute, such as at a railroad crossing.

Note: most cars use about a gallon of gas an hour while in idle. If gas costs 4 a gallon, then 15 minutes of idle will cost you a pound.

4) Stop leaks.

Most offices have dozens of small transformers that supply power to computers, network hubs, printers, modems, scanners, and other accessories. Transformers are also used to recharge batteries in cell phones, cameras, and iPods.

These transformers keep using electricity even when the device has been turned off or disconnected from it. It’s like having a faucet leak around the clock. Drop by drop it’s wasting energy (and money).

While each transformer uses only a small amount of electricity, six or eight of them are equivalent to a standard light bulb. Over time that adds up to a significant amount of electricity.

Put all of the transformers on a circuit strip. They turn off the strip at the end of the day. Or, unplug the transformer when it’s not being used.

Similarly, check your home for electrical leaks. Unplug coffee makers, toasters, and small ovens. Some of these have decorative lights or clocks – all things that we can live without.

Here are four uncommon things that you can do to save energy.

1) Change time zones.

That is, when possible, travel when others are less likely to be on the road. You will save gas by avoiding delays. For example, avoid rush hour traffic by leaving an hour early. Then use this extra hour to read, plan your day, or add an little extra to your job. If your company permits flex time hours, then you could leave for home before rush hour starts.

Also, consider shopping early or late in the day. Besides encountering less traffic, you will find that there are fewer shoppers and shorter lines in the stores. That produces a time saving bonus by making your shopping more efficient.

2) Ride a bicycle.

But do this in your car. That is, pretend that you have to peddle in order to make your car move. Avoid quick starts, acceleration up hills, and driving into a stop. Instead, start gradually, take it easy going up hills, and coast to a red light – just as if you were the engine.

Of course, use common sense. For example, move with the traffic and do this when appropriate.

3) Shut it off.

Some people leave the engine running when they park. This is a terrible idea because: a) it wastes gas, b) it leaves your car exposed to theft, and c) if children are left in the car, they could cause an accident by putting the car in gear.

Similarly, turn off the engine any time that you have to wait for more than about half a minute, such as at a railroad crossing.

Note: most cars use about a gallon of gas an hour while in idle. If gas costs 4 a gallon, then 15 minutes of idle will cost you a pound.

4) Stop leaks.

Most offices have dozens of small transformers that supply power to computers, network hubs, printers, modems, scanners, and other accessories. Transformers are also used to recharge batteries in cell phones, cameras, and iPods.

These transformers keep using electricity even when the device has been turned off or disconnected from it. It’s like having a faucet leak around the clock. Drop by drop it’s wasting energy (and money).

While each transformer uses only a small amount of electricity, six or eight of them are equivalent to a standard light bulb. Over time that adds up to a significant amount of electricity.

Put all of the transformers on a circuit strip. They turn off the strip at the end of the day. Or, unplug the transformer when it’s not being used.

Similarly, check your home for electrical leaks. Unplug coffee makers, toasters, and small ovens. Some of these have decorative lights or clocks – all things that we can live without.

According to a survey conducted by the New York-based College Board, college tuition costs are rising faster than the pace of inflation. Between 1993 and 2003, for example, the average cost of tuition and fees for four years rose 47 percent at public colleges and 42 percent at private institutions.

Thus, parents should start saving for college as soon as possible, says Stuart Ritter, a certified financial planner at T. Rowe Price, the Baltimore-based investment management and mutual fund firm. One way to do so, he says, is by taking advantage of state-sponsored 529 college savings plans.

These plans are becoming popular as a way to save for college because they provide some of the best tax benefits available, including an exemption from federal income tax on withdrawals made for qualified education expenses, and have high contribution limits to help save for college.

As a result, a 529 plan can potentially provide more money to spend on education than other investment products such as taxable accounts and Uniform Gift to Minor Acts (UGMA) accounts, an alternative way to contribute assets to a minor for investment purposes, says Ritter. An individual or a family can usually contribute more than 200,000 total in a 529 plan.

Currently, all states offer some type of 529 plan, with about half offering incentives to in-state residents. So while it may be practical for some parents to turn to their home states first when considering a plan, families are not limited to their own states’ plans. “It could pay to comparison shop,” Ritter says, adding that in addition to looking at potential state tax benefits for their contributions, parents should also evaluate the fees, expenses and investment options.

Another tool, the College Savings Comparison Calculator, compares saving for college in a 529 plan with doing so in a UGMA account.

One caveat is that due to provisions in the tax laws, the federal tax exemption for qualified educational expenses expires in 2010 unless extended by Congress. After that time, earnings would be considered income for the beneficiary – usually still beneficial since most 18-year-olds are in a low tax bracket. Also, earnings on a distribution not used for qualified expenses may be subject to income taxes and a 10 percent federal penalty.

Sorting through the array of 529 plans can be overwhelming, but experts say it is important for parents who are hoping to get the maximum return for their savings.