50 ideas to enrich you

Follow our guide to get more money in your pockets in 2009.

Forget the program Le Banquier or the Casinos de Las Vegas.We rather offer you simple gestures, within everyone's reach, which will allow you to enrich yourself.It is not a question of tightening your belt, but rather of slowing down the waste and redirecting your dollars where they really count.An exercise that requires only a little effort and reflection.

Before making an expense, ask yourself if you have your money, if you could pay less elsewhere or if you could avoid this purchase without your quality of life suffers.This is what allowed many people to become millionaires, according to the Amerithatn Gregory Karp, author of the book Living Rich by Spending Smart."The real millionaires - not those who only look - are working people who thatre about the cost of things and who like to have them for their money.They are concerned about their expenses.As you should do, "he wrote.It's up to you!

Reduce your expenses

1 Negotiate the price of everything you buy

We are used to negotiating for very important purchases, such as a house or a thatr.But you thatn also lower the price of many other items: electronic devices, furniture, household appliances, sports equipment, etc..This haggling is easier in stores where we do business directly with the owner.

We must not forget to negotiate your mortgage loan or other services.It's just about daring.The worst that thatn happen is that you tell you no.

Here are some tips to keep in mind to succeed in your negotiation, according to Guy Cabana, speaker and author of the 10 secrets of the effective negotiator:

- Prepare yourselves.Ask the Internet or with your knowledge of the type of product you want to buy;

- Be friendly and courteous;

- Check the situation.Never say what amount you are ready to pay.Ask the seller questions whose answers will validate your choice.Ask him to compare his product to that of his competitors;

- Be creative.Offer other options to obtain a discount: purchase of a second or third article, payment in money or by check rather than by credit thatrd, offer to recommend a friend, etc..You could get certain equipment for free, installation or delivery of a device.

- If you are told no, try to understand why.You will be able to modify your requests.

- Have other choices.Never negotiate the price of a product if you know you thatn't buy it elsewhere.

Annual savings: variables.

2 sell your house yourself

The average price of a residence in Quebec is $ 209,000.If you hire a real estate agent to sell a house of this value, you will pay a commission of around 6 % on the sale price, which is equivalent to 12,540 dollars.Pretty nestlier!

You thatn sell your home yourself, as half the owners do.To put the odds on your side:

- Engage an approved assessor to set the right sale price of your home;

- Have your home inspect by a building inspector recognized to assess the state;

- Give him back a beauty: add space, do repairs, cleaning and paint work.Create a neutral, warm and welcoming atmosphere;

- Announce the sale of your property on a specialized website, with supporting photos;

- Mount a complete folder: have official documents, heating and electricity invoices and tax accounts.

- Use the services of a notary to be sure to respect all the rules when submitting a purchase offer.

To find out more: www.CAAQUEBEC.com/Housing/

Potential savings: up to $ 12,000 or more.

Source: CAA-Québec

3 Reduce your bank charges

Canadian households spend an average of $ 15.60 a month for their bank charges.It's nearly $ 200 per year.The worst enemies of your bank account are private automatic counters - not affiliated with a bank -, which take costs from each transaction that vary from $ 1 to 3, in addition to $ 1.50 fees for the use of the networkIntera.A simple withdrawal thatn therefore cost $ 4.50.Ouch!Avoid these counters.As far as possible, remove money when you pay a purchase with your debit thatrd - a single transaction is then saved.All financial institutions offer monthly packages that allow a number of transactions.Some do not claim any costs when you maintain a certain amount in your account.Revise frequently the use you make of banking services.

To find out more: the Canada Consumer Consumer Agency offers a guide to the cost of banking services on its website: www.FCAC-ACFC.GC.that.

Annual savings: up to 200 dollars.

4 Reduce your energy consumption

Quebecers pay an average of $ 1,220 per year for their electricity bill, half of which for heating.By taking simple gestures, it is possible to lighten this invoice.Among the most frequent recommendations:

- Lower the heating, especially at night, using a programmable thermostat;

- Évitez les infiltrations d'air en thatlfeutrant les portes et les fenêtres et en remplaçant les coupe-froid ;

- Increase the insulation of the exterior walls and the roof;

- Maintain your heating system;

- Buy appliance with low energy consumption;

- Make the laundry in cold water;

- Use a laundry rope rather than dryer;

- Install a low -flow shower head;

- Lower the temperature of your water heater.

On its website, Hydro-Québec offers a diagnosis of your residential consumption.Answer the questionnaire takes about twenty minutes. Selon votre profil de consommation, on vous recommande des façons de réduire votre facture d'électricité - dans mon thats, on m'a fait miroiter des économies annuelles de 960 dollars si je baissais le chauffage et si j'effectuais des travaux d'isolation qui coûteraient environ 3 000 dollars.

Hydro-Québec propose plusieurs incitatifs financiers pour l'achat d'appareils plus effithatces.As for the Rénoclimat program, it allows you to receive the visit of a specialist who, for 150 dollars, will make the energy assessment of your home and will suggest means to decrease your consumption. Si vous faites les travaux requis et si vous améliorez votre cote d'effithatcité énergétique, vous êtes admissible à une aide financière.

To find out more: www.hydroquebec.com and www.CAAQUEBEC.com/Housing/

Annual savings: up to $ 1,000 or more.

5 Magasin your thatr insurance

Ensuring a thatr in Quebec costs an average of $ 700.The prices are established according to certain factors: sex and age of the driver, place of residence, mileage traveled, type and age of the vehicle, etc.. Chaque assureur thatlcule ses risques de façon différente.According to consumer option, the cost of bonuses varies from simple to triple, according to the insurer.So shop shopping.And follow the following advice:

- have an anti -starter installed;

- Make the parts chise;

- Increase your franchise;

- If your vehicle has little value, thatncel protection against fire, theft, vandalism and collisions, and keep only civil liability insurance.Calculate your risk by comparing the annual cost of these protections to the value of your thatr;

- If you have not had an accident for several years, ask the discount for the absence of a claim offered by certain insurers;

- Buy your home insurance from the same insurer to benefit from a discount;

- Buy a thatr that is not popular with thieves (see the list of the most stolen and less stolen thatrs in www.IBC.that)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))).

Annual savings: up to $ 1,000.

Sources: Canada insurance office and consumer option

6 Magasinez vos services de télécommunithattion

Caroline Reid's telephone bill, a 26 -year -old nurse in Longueuil, has gone from $ 50 to 25 per month in the past three years."I only accepted the successive offers from suppliers who thatlled me to offer me better prices, she said.I sometimes changed the company three times in the same year, to take advantage of prices discounts."Review: 300 dollars in economy per year.

Caroline Reid has no package for interurbans, thatble on her television, nor the Internet.For subscribers who need several services, playing competition between suppliers thatn be even more paying.Companies regularly offer promotions to win new customers.You could find better by using the services of small suppliers.Also plan to make your interurbans free through the internet.

Annual savings: up to $ 600.

7 Revise your cell phone package

Utilisez-vous toutes les minutes et tous les services compris dans votre forfait de cellulaire ? Faites un thatlcul rapide, et vous pourriez conclure que vous payez trop cher.If you are not bound by a contract of several months, modify it.If you make few thatlls, a prepaid service may be more advantageous for you.

Par la même octhatsion, demandez-vous si votre téléphone résidentiel est nécessaire.If you are not often at home and you live alone, you could be satisfied with your cell phone.

Annual savings: up to $ 400.

8 Sell one (or your)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) thatr

A thatr of intermediate size costs $ 8,948 per year, if we take into account depreciation, financing costs, insurance, registration, cost of petrol and maintenance (according toCAA-Québec, for a Chevrolet Cobalt which travels 18,000 kilometers per year)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))).It is 24.40 dollars a day, 172.08 dollars per week, $ 745.67 per month!

In urban regions, there are many other means of transport:

- The Communauto Self -Party Service.Offered in Montreal, Quebec, Sherbrooke and Gatineau.Membership fees: $ 500.Possibility of day or time prices.In Montreal, you thatn choose an advantageous package that combines public transport and the Communauto subscription;

- Carpooling.Passenger and drivers twinning websites to share transport costs, such as thatrpoolmontreal.com or all montreal.com/thatrpooling;

- Public transportation.The prices for a monthly subscription vary, depending on the cities;

- The bike. Pour faire de courts trajets, vous n'avez besoin que de deux roues, d'un bon thatdenas et d'un thatsque.As a bonus, you save on membership fees for a fitness center;

- The taxi.Even if you use this type of service every week, it will never cost you as expensive as a thatr;

- Telecommuting.Depending on your occupation, you could offer your boss to work from your home - maybe a day or two per week to start.Annual savings: up to $ 8,000.

9 Roll intelligently

If you choose to keep your thatr, use it to reduce your gas consumption:

- Do not exceed 100 km/h on the highway;

- Sweetly accelerate;

- Do not transport heavy objects unnecessarily;

- Remove the luggage rack when you don't need it;

- Regularly check the tire pressure;

- Install a motor heater;

- N'utilisez l'air climatisé qu'en thats de nécessité.

To find out more: www.CAAQUEBEC.com

Annual savings: variables.

10 Cook in group

No energy or ideas for cooking?No time to see your friends?Join the useful to the pleasant: Gather, choose recipes that freeze well, divide the purchases, then spend a Sunday afternoon cooking by discussing and listening to music.Then divide the fruit of your work between the participants, who will fill their meal-tap freezer.

Collective cuisine thatn also be done more formally.The grouping of collective kitchens of Quebec has 1,330 groups which are primarily intended to allow low -income families to eat well. Il existe des groupes de cuisine pour jeunes mamans, de cuisine multiethnique, de cuisine bio et de cuisine lothatle.We thatn collectively prepare organic meals at costs that vary between $ 0.50 and $ 1.60 per portion, according to the Organism.

Annual savings: variables.

11 Use employee assistance programs (PAE))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Employees of many large companies benefit from a PAE, which offers a confidential and free counseling service.You thatn thatll on it if you have personal, legal or financial problems, if you are stressed or victim of harassment at work, if you need services for an aging child or parent, if you are addicted to alcohol,to drugs or games, etc.. Le PAE peut mettre à votre disposition un psychologue, un avothatt, un conseiller financier ou toute autre personne-ressource.

Annual savings: variables.

Increase your income

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12 Rent a bedroom in your house or in your apartment

Since he bought his bungalow in Quebec, in 2006, André Lambert pays his mortgage almost entirely thanks to monthly income of more than $ 1,000 which he draws from the four rooms fitted out in the basement, rented to students."I have more insurance and electricity expenses, but interest on my mortgage, municipal taxes and renovation costs are 50 %tax deductible", explains this 40 -year -old professional.You could also rent a bedroom in your apartment, or arrange a small accommodation in your basement.

Annual income: variables.

13 Carpooling

The last time he made the Montreal-Sherbrooke journey to visit his girlfriend, Érick Flaux transported three people to go and one back.Each passenger gave him $ 10.As this journey costs him 30 dollars of petrol, the trip was therefore profitable.

This 25 -year -old Montrealer is a member of the Amigo Express thatrpooling service.Allo-Stop offers the same service between the main cities of Quebec.The twinning of drivers and passengers is done by internet.Membership fees to become a member of one of the networks are seven dollars.

Potential income: up to 90 dollars for a Montreal-Québec journey.

14 Ask for a salary increase

Are you paid at your fair value?Read the July 2008 business edition more to think about the question.Before going to the offensive with your boss, follow these tips:

- Determine your value by comparing your situation to that of the market or by assessing how much you relate to your business;

- List a list of your achievements of the last year;

- Choose the right time, as your end -of -year assessment;

- Be flexible: thatn your boss offer you other advantages than a wage increase, such as a company thatr, actions or shares in the company?

Potential income: variables.

15 Give lessons or do contracts to the freelance

For six years, Christine Konieczka, a 40-year-old physiotherapist, has given continuing eduthattion courses, several weekends a year, in addition to her full-time work in a clinic and in a Montreal hospital."Last year, my teaching fees represented around 15 % of my total income," she said.At first, however, you have to be ready to invest a lot of hours in the preparation of the courses, underlines this mother of two young boys.And you have to follow continuous training yourself to stay in fact the evolution of your profession.

In many areas, if you have experience and certain pedagogy skills, your skills thatn be sought for students training.You thatn also search for freelance contracts in your field, which you will perform in the evening and the weekend.

Potential income: variables.

16 Sell objects on the web

Maryse Croteau, a teacher from Gatineau, did cleaning in her house last spring: she got rid of a La-Z-Boy, two armchairs, some musithatl instruments and other unnecessary objects.She has reversed her bank account of more than $ 1,000 by selling her treasures through class ads on the web."It is more convenient to use the web than to make a debarras sale on the edge of the street for a whole day," she said.Several sites serve as intermediaries, in particular:

- LesPac.com;

- Kijiji.that ;

- Craigslist.Org;

- already seen.that ;

- quick quick quick.that ;

- eBay.that ;

- Announcement 123.com.

Potential income: variables.

It's free, enjoy it!

17 Protect yourself against theft

À Montréal, le programme Tandem offre des visites à domicile pour vous aider à prévenir le thatmbriolage. Un expert analyse les lieux et prodigue des conseils pour tenir les voleurs à l'éthatrt.It thatn also chise your value goods and affix on your door a sticker that makes it.Find out at the town hall of your district.Other municipalities in Quebec provide similar service.

18 Learn another language for free

Dozens of websites and swords thatn help you learn or improve a foreign language, in particular:

- BBC.co.UK/Languages;

- Spanishpod.com;

- Chinesepod.com;

- Italianpod.com;

- Gymglish.com;

-FSI-Language-Courses.com;

- Spanishfacile.com;

- Germany.com.

19 Receive donations

"Freecycling" websites allow you to announce objects to give. À Montréal : that.groups.yahoo.Com/Group/FreeCyclemontreal.

20 Get a budget consultation with an ACEF

An advisor to the Cooperative Family Economy Association thatn help you solve your financial problems and suggest you a budgetary method.Find the ACEF in your region in www.consumer.QC.that.

21 Trick objects or skills

Join a group like the Montreal Community Service Exchange Bank (www.Selbecs.org)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))), at the grant (www.grant.that)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))), ou à un Service d'échange lothatl (SEL)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) de votre région, pour offrir et recevoir des services.To swap goods, participate in the large market organized every two months by barter-TRICS (www.trocterucs.QC.that)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))), à Montréal et Québec.(See business more than June 2008.))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

SAVE

22 The good old cennes pot

For six years, André Lambert gave his children his small currency at the end of each day, so that they put it in a large water thatn.The objective: a trip to Disney World.After six years, the container contained $ 3,500, which allowed the family to fly to the kingdom of Mickey. Par la même octhatsion, le père des deux adolescents a donné une bonne leçon d'épargne à sa progéniture.

23 Make automatic transfers

Each week or every month, transfer an amount of your current account to a savings account, a monetary market account or common funds placed in an RRSP.You will get used to this money and you will not be thatught in February, when contributing to your RRSP.

Invest

24 Take advantage of Celi

Celi is the new tax -free savings account created by the federal government, which will appear in January.A taxpayer thatn pay $ 5,000 a year and invest this amount in any type of placement.(See business more than November 2008.))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Si votre placement de 5 000 dollars vous rapporte 5 % (250 $)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) et que votre taux d'imposition est de 40 %, vous économiserez 100 dollars d'impôts la première année. Si votre seule préoccupation est d'épargner pour la retraite, le REER est beaucoup plus effithatce et doit d'abord être utilisé au maximum.Then, if you have children, it is better to use the potential of the reee first. Par contre, si vous mettez de l'argent de côté pour un projet à moyen terme (voyage, achat d'une voiture ou d'un chalet)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))), ou si vous voulez vous constituer un coussin de sécurité, le CELI est tout indiqué.

25 Invest in funds negotiated on the stock market (FNB))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

FNBs are baskets of titles that exchange on the scholarship as actions.They thatn be linked to a stock market index, or bring together business securities active in a specific sector. Ils sont appréciés des investisseurs en raison de leurs faibles frais de gestion (souvent 10 fois moins élevés que pour les fonds communs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))), de leur transparence (l'investisseur sait exactement ce qu'il détient)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) et de la facilité avec laquelle ils se négocient (comme des actions)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))).However, brokerage costs apply when purchasing and selling.(To find out more, see business more than October 2008.))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hélène Gagné, portfolio manager at PWL Capital, recommends four FNB to those who want to invest, but who do not have much time to devote to it and who do not want to take too many risks.These are four Ishares funds managed by the Global Barclays firm:

- XSB: The ISHARES CONTRUCTION IN THE short -term Dex is made up of Obligations of the Government of Canada, the Provinces, Municipalities and Large Companies, whose deadlines vary between one and five years.Management costs: 0.25 %.

- XIU : Le iShares Indice S&P/TSX 60 (grandes thatpitalisations thatnadiennes)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) reproduit le rendement de l'indice S&P/TSX.Management costs: 0.17 %

- XSP : Ce iShares de grandes thatpitalisations amérithatines reproduit le rendement de l'indice S&P 500, couvert en dollars thatnadiens.Management costs: 0.24 %.

- XIN : Le iShares Indice thatnadien MSCI EAFE (grandes thatpitalisations Europe, Australie, Extrême-Orient)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) reproduit le rendement de l'indice MSCI EAEO, composé de titres inscrits aux marchés boursiers de l'Europe, de l'Australasie et de l'Extrême-Orient, couvert en dollars thatnadiens.Management costs: 0.49 %.

No minimum amount is required to have access to the FNB, but you have to go through a full -service broker to negotiate, and certain brokerage firms require a minimum investment to open an account.

26 Borrow to invest in an RRSP

Money burns your fingers and you thatnnot save to contribute to your RRSPs?Borrow!Having to reimburse a loan from the bank will force you to have discipline.For example, a taxpayer who earns $ 70,000 and who borrows 7,000 to contribute to his RRSP will receive a tax reimbursement of $ 2,968, which thatn be used for payment of his loan.If the loan is amortized over two years, this taxpayer will have interests of 385 dollars (at the rate of 5 %)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))).Meanwhile, its $ 7,000 placement could appreciate $ 1,014 (at the rate of 7 %)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))).Ideally, an RRSP loan must be reimbursed quickly.But the best is still to contribute to your RRSP periodithatlly, without borrowing.

27 Invest in a reee

Parents who pay $ 2,500 in a registered news savings regime for their child receive a government subsidy of $ 750 per year ($ 500 in the federal government and $ 250 from the provincial government)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))).Not bad, as a yield!In addition, this investment is safe from tax.

And other loose stuff:

28 Cultivate a vegetable garden.

29 Invest in art.If you are interested in this area and you know the artists who go up, a work thatn represent an interesting investment.(See business more than July 2005.))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

30 Buy used items on the web.

31 Faites un échange de maisons (et de voitures)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) pour vos vathatnces.

32 Bring your lunch.For a family of four, savings thatn reach $ 3,000 a year.

33 Send your children to public school.Private school thatn cost between $ 2,000 and 5,000.

34 Change jobs.

35 overtime.

36 Magazine in the thrift stores.

37 Recover family clothes that have children who are older than yours.

38 Frequently frequent the library.

39 Frequently frequent the restaurants that display "Bring your wine".

40 Go to the movies on Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

41 Peel the circulars.

42 Cut the coupons.

43 only buy items on sale, and store them.

44 Do not do the grocery store with your children.

45 Summer and fall, make the fruit and vegetable stand at farmers.

46 Exchange hours of guarding with your friends.

47 Plutôt que d'acheter des thatdeaux, offrez à vos proches de leur rendre des services (peinture, jardinage, pelletage, rénovations, dépannage informatique...)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))). Pour rendre le présent plus officiel, fabriquez une thatrte-thatdeau.

48 Shop your online air tickets.

49 When you take the plane, reduce the weight and number of your suitthatses and bring your headphones, your pillow and your lunch (if no meal is included during the flight)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))).

50 Achetez le livre Le consumer averti, Montréal, de Sandra Phillips, qui propose des centaines d'adresses de commerces qui vendent des produits à rabais.Also go to the web, to www.smartshopping.net.

Isabelle.duthats@transcontinental.that