This is part of our Financial Literacy Month Question and Answer series
Question: Cindy, do you have any quick and easy ways to make extra money? I’m interested in putting some into savings and paying off some debt, too. Thanks. ~ Jayne
Answer: Good question, Jayne. There are many ways to make extra cash even when you are working full time. One of the best ways to make more money in your spare time is to do something you love and to find someone who will pay you for it. Here …

Of course, these don’t have to be done in any particular order!
Just pick one or two that particularly apply to your situation.

Create your 2009 filing system. This might include new file folders, a new box to hold them or space in a filing cabinet with easy access.
Set up a folder to collect all the important 2008 tax documents which will be arriving soon. Sure to arrive at your house are W-2s, 1099s, mortgage statements, etc.
Set up an appointment with …

Have you ever heard of the PDQ Factor? Probably not, but you probably have heard of the acronym PDQ, which means “pretty darn quick” and that can be expensive: think fast food, fast cars, and fast women. This PDQ, The PDQ Factor will save you money. In fact, it can even make you wealthy over time.
To illustrate…take an empty glass and set it under the water faucet. Now turn the faucet to a single drip, or a slow trickle if you’re really impatient, and watch …

Every month, our utility bills come in the mail like clockwork.  Some months the balance is high and sometimes we catch a break.  This is definitely the year to do as much as you can to avoid major utility bills. Here are a few hints:

Check with utility companies about payment plans.  When you enter into a plan, your monthly payment is calculated according to the average of your bill for the last twelve months.  The monthly payment may be above or below what the actual amount of the service is. …

If you have too many bills at the beginning of the month like most people, you can call your creditors and utility companies and ask them to move the date to later in the month. You’ll be surprised at how many will be able to do that for you.
Now you can pay your mortgage or rent in the beginning of the month and the rest of the bills later when you have another pay check.
If you have uneven income, you might want to read my “Roller Coaster Income?” post.