We all know that there’s a huge savings in packing your own lunch for work, avoiding coffee shops, and eating dinner at home. But in the day to day, it’s easy to let our hectic schedules give us an excuse to waste money on eating out.  I’ve fallen into this trap myself, and it happens most often when I  fail to prepare ahead of time and am too busy to prepare anything when the time comes. The best solutions I’ve found for this recurring problem are essentially a collection of many simple but effective steps to ensure I don’t have to fall into the excuse of spending more when I don’t need to.  Here are a few things that have helped me live more frugally and stick with my grocery and eating out budget categories.

Lunches:

  • Pack the night before.

I’ve consistently found that if I either pack my lunch the night before, or even “mentally pack” my lunch (go through my knowledge of what’s available and what I want to take), there are no excuses, no matter how slow I move around while getting ready the next morning. If I don’t have it packed or have a plan, I am more likely to rush around distractedly trying to throw something together, or decide I don’t have time.

  • Prepare foods as fully as possible ahead of time.

If you’re not just throwing leftovers into a storage container (a great lunch idea), your meal will take some preparation — a salad, a sandwich, etc. I find that if I can pre-package or prepare foods in portions I use for lunch, it’s much easier to assemble quickly, even if I fail to pack the night before. For instance, I try to cut up vegetables ahead of time so I can simply toss them onto greens, or cook up extra pieces of chicken for  salads and wraps while preparing dinner, and store them individually. Even something as simple as putting snacks in sandwich baggies ahead of time can make a difference in whether you can tackle a morning lunch prep. or give up the attempt.

  • Shop with on-the-go meal prep. in mind.

It’s difficult to pack a lunch if you don’t have anything convenient to pack. That’s not to say you can’t get creative, but having lunch-specific foods on hand will, again, leave you fewer excuses not to pack one, and make preparation that much faster. I buy individual yogurts, fruit, cheese sticks, salad add-ons, and even packaged lunch kits specifically for my noon meals. If you’re not used to shopping for your lunches, it may seem like you’re spending more on groceries, but in the long run, you’ll much more by not eating out or buying prepared foods.

Coffee:

Coffee can be a touchy subject, because (as I certainly know), it borders on a necessity. The problem arises, not in enjoying coffee, but in spending $5 on one coffee from a drive-through chain or local coffee shop. If you do that every day, it quickly adds up. If you find coffee necessary to fuel your day, plan ahead and brew enough coffee at home to allow you to take a travel mug.  Programmable coffeemakers are a wonderful invention! Find a few trusty mugs that won’t leak and hold temperature well, and you’re good to go.

If you’re a gourmet snob, grind your own brand-name beans (even this function is programmable on some models), and look up recipes for add-ins that come close to imitating your favorite coffeehouse drinks.

Following these tips and making lunch-packing a habit you actually have time for will enable you to save money daily so you can  appreciate occasionally eating out or ordering your favorite coffee without guilt.

Who among us wouldn’t like to see a bigger balance in their bank account, savings account or retirement account? Who wouldn’t love to afford to live more lavishly – or at the very least, not worry about meeting expenses? It’s human nature to want to make more money without going to a lot more effort than we already do. There is no shortage of “get rich quick” schemes in the world that prey on precisely that desire. When the options are things like, “pick up some overtime,” “get a second (or third) job” or simply, “stop spending so much,” it’s easy to be lured into believing in some common ploys and misinformation that promise to help us make big bucks easily.

Here are some of the ways that others manipulate that desire to make more money into a money-maker for themselves – by taking our hard-earned dollars with the promise of a big return that probably won’t happen:

  1. They make giving them money exciting and addictive – Gambling is the perfect example of this ploy to make you think that you have a chance to gain a lot for relatively little. The lie they perpetrate is that luck has more to do with making money than do sound financial practices. In short, the odds of hitting it big by gambling is negligible – the cards are stacked against you, designed that the house wins and you…don’t. By convincing you that you have a chance to win, they get you to throw more money their way. Gamble all you want for recreational purposes but do understand that it’s not a rational substitute for a financial plan.
  2. They over-complicate by leading you to believe you can’t do it without them – A classic example here includes the “make money in your sleep” ploy. Unscrupulous marketers can easily convince those looking to make money online to buy an e-commerce website from them. In truth, you don’t need to go through (and pay) this middleman who brings the opportunity to your attention. You can find opportunities like the ones they sell on your own – like an Amazon portal – to bring in some extra bucks.
  3. They oversimplify how difficult it is to profit – Buy low, sell high – like the house-flipping rage – is an example of this tactic. While it is possible to turn a profit from rehabbing a home, making it a habit can be risky. Selling an improved property can be iffy; even when you get a fixer-upper for a bargain price, unless you have a buyer lined up, you’re stuck with an expensive investment that can easily turn into a money pit rather than a money-maker.
  4. They overstate your earning potential – There are a multitude of multi-level marketing companies that offer their distributors appealing wholesale prices to act as their salesforce. In order for direct sales to be as lucrative as their marketing hype suggests, distributors must push hard, sell a large volume of product, wear many hats and work their way up the ladder to manage underlings in order to earn a cut of their sales as well. Those who “make it rich” following this business model are few and far between.

Any of these four income strategies can potentially bring in extra cash. Be aware of what they all have in common: Claims of big financial rewards for minimal (and/or enjoyable) effort. When considering any profit-generating opportunity, remember that if it sounds too easy or sure-fire, those behind it are most likely someone making a buck off your desire to do the same.

For what “get rich schemes” have you fallen?

One of the trends on the rise right now is an increase in self-employment. I’m part of this trend, since I have my own freelancing business. I like being self-employed. I enjoy the freedom and flexibility that comes with making money from home. I do this as my “full-time” job (even though I rarely work “full-time” hours anymore).

However, not everyone wants to be self-employed. This path isn’t for everyone.

Advantages of Working for Others

Technically, even if you are self-employed you work for others. You have customers and clients that you have to please. However, it’s not really the “traditional” definition of working for “the man.” Working a “real” job has its own perks. Now that my husband is no longer an adjunct and he’s working full-time as a college professor, we’re being reminded about just how great it can be.

These types of jobs come with healthcare that is subsidized by an employer (just like that, our costs are cut in half), and there is an employer match on the retirement account contribution (that’s free money). What my husband really likes about having a “real” job, though, is the fact that work is work, and it can be left there. When you are self-employed, especially if you work from home, you find yourself working at all hours sometimes. My husband likes to be able to clock out.

Being able to take a day off (which he did recently because he was feeling burned out) and still get paid for it is also a nice perk from having a 9-5 job. My husband may not work 9-5 because of his teaching schedule (it’s more like 8:30 – 5:30 MWF, and 11 – 4 TTH), but it’s still considered a “real” job. And he likes it because it offers some stability, and a set schedule.

There’s nothing wrong with want that sort of a paycheck, and nothing wrong with deciding that quitting and becoming self-employed full-time is not for you.

Make It a Side Hustle

Of course, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Many people enjoy working a side hustle. With a side hustle, it’s possible to enjoy the advantages of making a little extra money on the side without the need to quit the stability of your “real” job. If you are looking for a little more flexibility in terms of your finances, a side hustle can be a good way to go. You can make money in your spare time, and get a little extra for spending, or to pay down debt, or to invest. This money can shore you up, and allow you to feel peace of mind, without the need to quit your current job.

In the end, it depends on what makes sense for you. A combination of a side hustle plus a “real” job can add to your income diversity, as well as help you boost your overall finances, without the need for you to commit to one thing or another. Carefully think about your situation, the amount of risk you can handle, and then make the choice that works for you.

Most home cooks know their way around the three most popular sources of protein: beef, chicken and pork, but some may feel less comfortable buying fish and seafood. That’s probably because fresh fish and seafood isn’t “native” to all parts of the country and many are therefore unfamiliar with certain types. Although high-quality fish and seafood may be readily available nationwide, some people may still be stumped about how to buy it at an affordable price. The following information will hopefully guide those who remain trepidatious about buying high-quality fish they’ll enjoy without spending more than necessary.

Guidelines for buying fish and seafood

  • Fresh – If you can find it – and if the price is right, fresh fish and seafood is preferable. Whole fish looks fresh, with bulging eyes and bright red or pink gills. Filets should appear freshly cut and have moist flesh. Fresh fish and seafood should have a mild smell and should under no circumstances smell strong or “fishy.”
  • Frozen – If the fresh fish and seafood you want isn’t available, up to quality standards or you simply want to have it on hand longer than a day or two, frozen is a marvelous option. Frozen fish and seafood can deliver an abundance of variety and nearly the same quality and flavor as fresh. Great frozen fish and seafood also has a mild smell and no ice crystals or blood present.
  • Previously frozen – Many butcher cases feature fish and seafood that appears fresh but is identified as, “previously frozen.” This fish and seafood is a fine choice, as long as you find out just how long it has been thawed to be certain it will remain fresh until you’re ready to prepare it. If you’re assured that the fish or seafood has been properly thawed, you may be able to refreeze it, although when you do, there may be a loss of quality and/or flavor.

Tips for finding quality, affordable fish and seafood

  • Get to know a butcher/fishmonger – Finding quality fish and seafood is all about knowledge – and who knows more about such things as a butcher or fishmonger? If you’re fortunate enough to have a fresh fish market nearby, it should be easy to develop a relationship with a helpful person in-the-know behind the counter. If, like many landlocked Americans, you shop for your seafood at the grocery store, you’ll want to discover a butcher who knows the ins and outs of fish and seafood to steer you toward wise purchases.
  • Learn the store’s discounting practice for fish and seafood – Regardless of where you buy your fish and seafood, inquire about when their fresh shipments are delivered. Stores often discount perishables like fish and seafood the day before the new shipment arrives. This tip may allow you to enjoy fresh fish and seafood more affordably.
  • Research pricing of fish and seafood – You’ll be able to judge a good price for fish and seafood if you’ve done your homework prior to shopping. Tilapia, cod and perch are on the less-expensive side, though fish and seafood prices can vary according to the time of year. Some fish and seafood may be more affordable when it’s “in season” in the area where you live, and some (like salmon, yellowfin tuna, shrimp, crab and lobster) are simply more expensive than others. Fish and seafood prices go down when demand is higher, like during Lent, when many people go meatless.

You can serve up high quality, affordable fish and seafood when you know what to look for  and expect in the marketplace.

How do you find affordable, high-quality fish and seafood?

Life Insurance for Kids

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

You know that life insurance is an important part of your financial plan. Life insurance is designed to help your family move forward if you should die an untimely death. You can also purchase a life insurance policy on your partner so that if your partner passes on, you have a way to cover expenses, debts, and other costs that might be a part of your life moving forward.

But what about purchasing life insurance for your kids? Does that ever make sense?

Insurance Rider for Your Child

Rather than purchasing life insurance on my son, I have an insurance rider on my own policy. It doesn’t cost very much, but it’s nice to have. While no one likes the idea of a child passing on, the reality is that sometimes it happens. The rider I have for my son is enough to cover funeral expenses. I don’t need a big payout if my son dies, but the rider ensures that if the unthinkable does happen, I won’t have to come up with money for funeral costs on top of managing my grief.

What About Grow-Up Plans?

Another possibility are grow-up type plans that you can purchase. These life insurance policies can provide you with peace of mind as well, and give you enough of a payout to cover funeral expenses. Many of these plans also build cash value.

In many cases, these types of plans are designed to revert to the child later on, if you that is what you decide to do. The child can cash in the policy and use the money to help pay education expenses (although, depending on the policy, the cash value might be just enough to buy books). It’s also possible to let the child change the beneficiary. This is more about establishing that your child has had life insurance for years, and this can help later if some sort of eligibility issue comes up, or if your child becomes un-insurable for some reason.

These plans are inexpensive, and they have their place, depending on your financial situation, and your concerns about the future.

A Large Life Insurance Policy on Your Child

For the most part, it’s not necessary to purchase a large life insurance policy on your child. Smaller policies designed to protect you against funeral costs might give you peace of mind, but you probably don’t need a $500,000 policy on your child.

The main exception to this rule is if your child is earning income for your family. In some cases, children do make money that helps support the family. Your child might be an actor or model. Additionally, with the rise of online businesses, there are also more young entrepreneurs. Your teenage son or daughter might start a website that earns money, and becomes a significant source of income for your family.

If this is the case, and you begin to rely on your child’s income, you should consider a larger insurance policy. Just as you purchase life insurance on yourself so that your family is provided for in the event of your death, you need to consider what your family would do without your child’s income. This is a depressing way to look at it, but it’s also the realistic way to approach the issue.

Remember, though, that if your child is earning for the family, you need to make sure you are following legal procedures. That money is still your child’s; you are likely a custodian. You can charge some management fees and other costs for your time and trouble, but, for the most part, the money your child earns has to be managed mainly for his or her benefit, and it has to be managed in such a way that he or she has something to access upon reaching the age of majority.

Even in this case, however, it can still make sense to insure your child’s life. You want to be prepared for the unexpected, and if you have grown to rely to some degree on your child’s income, a larger life insurance policy makes sense.

Bottom Line

In most cases, you probably don’t need a major life insurance policy for your child. However, it usually doesn’t hurt to get a smaller policy or a rider to your own policy that covers your child’s life. That way, you can address funeral costs without breaking the bank, and enjoy a little peace of mind.

Save Money While Shopping Locally

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Choosing to shop at privately-owned businesses in your area is usually based on a desire to improve your local and state economy, combined with a desire for personalized and reliable service.  Income siphoned through national and international big-box chain stores doesn’t directly benefit local economies as much as income generated by private business; and, due to their size, large companies can’t usually offer individual, personalized care the way local business owners can.

In spite of these very compelling reasons to shop locally, there is also one major hang-up: expense.
Shopping locally will almost always cost more than shopping at a chain store for simple business reasons. Discount chain stores have a much higher volume of sales, receive discounts for buying wholesale in bulk, and are less impacted by operating cost, which means they can offer their products at a much lower price than mom-and-pop stores. Since our instinct as frugal shoppers is to flock to whoever has the lowest prices, it can be difficult to make the transition from discount shopping to local shopping. Here are a few tips for reducing the impact to the controllable expenses in your budget.

Focus on 2-3 Stores
Since it’s not always feasible (or affordable) to shop entirely local, you can ease your conscience while saving your money if you pick 1,2, or 3 of your favorite local businesses to support with your sales on a regular basis. Think about which stores in your community you’d be most sad about going out of business, and focus on these, at least at first. What about them do you enjoy — their small-town atmosphere, friendliness, personal service, community involvement or charity efforts, or perhaps their selection and quality of specialty products? Cater your purchases to these few favorite businesses, and you’ll not only be supporting your local economy, you’ll be increasing your personal satisfaction with your shopping experiences.

Get in on Special Sales and Deals
If you miss the buy-one-get-one sale at Kroger, it’s not a big deal — they’ll be another sale in a few weeks. On the other hand, local stores tend to make offers for limited windows of time  (to reduce their loss), especially if they’re overstocked or trying to clear out old merchandise to make space for the new. Check in regularly enough to take advantage of the deals so you’ll be able to afford the differences in price. Many small businesses have websites and Facebook pages that feature their deals, coupons, and special offers so you can stay informed conveniently.

Refer Other Customers
Local businesses appreciate loyal customers, and are usually more than willing to throw in freebies or discount deals for patrons who bring them even more business. Ask for business cards to share with your friends, talk about and showcase purchases you love, and be sure to ask stores if they offer any incentives for bringing in business.

Look for Ways to Save Them Money
Shopping locally provides income for small businesses, which increases their ability to offer products at lower prices. Looking for ways to partner with them and reduce their operating expenses takes this economic strategy one step further. It can be as simple as letting them know about a good deal on wholesale products, small business discounts from a service provider, or declining to use their bags in favor of bringing your own from home. Every little thing you do to save them money will eventually translate into savings for yourself, as well.

Hopefully this has given you a few more incentives to shop locally while still endeavoring to be a frugal shopper.

We have an extra room in our house that hasn’t been used for several years. It once served as a bedroom when I did child daycare in our home. Since that business closed, the room has been nothing more than a storage area.

Recently, I decided that I need more crafting in my life; I’m even entertaining the idea of selling some handcrafted items as sideline. As any crafter knows, space is important; both to spread out and work as well as to store supplies. So I decided to turn that extra space into a craft room. It has many features that make it ideal for my purposes.

The room:

  • is out of the way
  • has great light and ventilation
  • stays cool in summer because it’s on the lower level
  • has a decent-sized closet
  • is easily accessible to the utility room sink for cleanup

Even with all that is positive about the room, it needed a lot of work to be transformed into a functional space, conducive to creativity. I didn’t, however, want to spend a lot on the room makeover. I knew that with careful planning, resourcefulness and a willingness to d-i-y, the job could be accomplished for very little financial outlay. In fact, I wondered just how little…maybe $100?

My frugal makeover plan:

Be realistic – Wanting to stick to an extremely modest budget kept my expectations grounded. It was bare bones, baby. What, I asked myself, are the major elements that needed changing to make this a room in which I’ll love to create?

My answers:

  • The carpet had seen better days and needed to be removed.
  • The room was decorated in calm blues and had worn and decidedly uninspiring wallpaper. Fine for sleeping children; not so much for creative inspiration.

Use what I had on hand – It’s often surprising to discover what you already have on hand to begin a project like this. I wisely checked our workshop before heading to the home improvement store. I found we had enough leftover ceiling paint from another room for a fresh coat in my craft room, a brand new roller a paint tray and a couple paint brushes that were in perfect shape.

Repurpose – This helped me save significant money on this project.

  • Flooring – New flooring was definitely not in my budget but, yikes, those old floor tiles under the carpet I’d pulled up were horrible and some were even cracked. My solution was to pull up the lightly-worn carpet covering a wood floor in an upstairs bedroom. It was an opportunity to reveal the lovely wood floor in the bedroom while obtaining free carpet to cover the craft room floor. Double points!
  • Furniture – I upcycled the daycare crib into a work table and the diaper changing table into a storage shelf. Spray paint transformed these into attractive pieces.

Borrow rather than buy – I borrowed a carpet-cutting knife from friends. It was a life-saver that allowed me to avoid incurring the cost of buying something I’ll rarely if ever use again.

My final makeover tally

I did come in under budget on my craft room makeover at $96.00.

  • 2 gallons wall paint (I chose a sunny yellow to brighten and energize the room.) $50.00
  • 9 cans spray paint (I chose a green apple color for wall shelves and repurposed furniture.) $36.00
  • ½ bottle carpet steam cleaner solution (With a fresh steam-cleaning, the carpet is good-as-new.) $10.00

With only a few changes, a modest budget and, I’ll admit, a considerable amount of elbow grease, an unused room has been transformed into a functional space that may even help me make some extra money in time.

For many employers, this is the time of year marked by open enrollment for health insurance. This is your chance to change your coverage, or choose a new plan (if it’s available). As you navigate open enrollment, here are a few things to think about:

Could a High Deductible Plan Work for You?

One of the ways that many people save money on health insurance premiums is to get a high deductible plan. This type of health care plan requires you to pay more out of pocket, but it can mean a significantly lower premium. I’ve run the numbers in my own situation, and I know that paying more out of pocket is still a better deal for me than paying a higher premium. You can run the numbers in your own case to see whether or not switching it up might work for you.

If a high deductible plan does work for you, you might also want to consider a Health Savings Account, if you qualify. It can be another tax deduction for you, and provide you with a way to save up for the higher out of pocket costs.

Are You Paying for Extra Coverage?

Check your coverages. I knew a woman who had been paying for maternity insurance for years — even though she had had a hysterectomy. Pay attention to the coverage you are paying for, and make it a point to drop coverage you know you don’t need. You could save money if you stop paying for coverage you don’t need.

Do You Need More Coverage?

In some cases, you might need more coverage. If you find that you have a situation in which you need more coverage, or if you are unhappy with the benefits you have, you can upgrade to a different plan, if it’s available. You do need to be aware of the possibility of an increased cost if you increase your coverage, or look for a plan with more benefits. This might also apply if you try to find a plan that widens your available health care providers.

Do Your Providers Accept the New Plan?

I was dismayed recently to find that my husband’s new plan dropped some pharmacies from its coverage, including my chosen pharmacy. We had to change pharmacies in order to continue receiving coverage. This can be a problem with other health care providers as well. Before you decide what to do with your health plan, make sure you double-check providers. In some cases, you may not have much choice, but in other cases, you need to decide what it’s worth to you to keep the same health care providers.

Plan for Costs

Health care costs regularly go up. There is no way to stop this. As a result, you need to pay attention, and prepare ahead of time for the increase in costs. Consider ways to cut other expenses, or to earn a little more money. When you understand that there are always going to be increased costs, it will help you prepare for the coming year and the smaller paycheck.

When you think of important personal finance skills, you probably think of balancing a checking account, constructing a budget, calculating percentages, doing mental math, and a number of other math-related tasks. But have you ever thought about how much your grammar skills might affect your finances? As an English major and grammar nerd, it’s difficult for me to grasp the concept that many people find writing with proper grammar a challenge, but each person has their own strengths and weaknesses. Although learning math and personal finance skills is one of the most important steps you’ll take to gaining control of your money, poor communication skills may cost you some of it. Here are a few scenarios in which it’s important to have a basic grasp of good grammar, and if you don’t, to acquire one.

Resume and Job Applications
How carefully do you check your applications and resumes before submitting them? Even a simple typo can make the difference between your applications getting a second look or getting tossed into the paper shredder.  Resumes and applications are your first impression to a prospective employer, so it’s extremely important to put the required time and effort into making them as professional and impressive as possible. Even if you have decent grammar skills, it’s never a bad idea to have someone else glance over  your resume or application to catch anything you may have missed. If you want to land a job or further your career, good grammar is essential.

Professional Communication
Whether they be legal documents, appeal letters, emails, or reports, the communications you send in a professional setting need to be clear, concise, and free of potentially-confusing errors. No matter what field you work in, you’ll be expected to write clearly and accurately in order to do your job well. Communication that lacks basic grammar and is difficult to read projects a bad impression of your abilities in all other areas. Not being able to write effectively may mean the difference between better-paying or more highly-desired positions where you work, or even your ideas being successfully presented and implemented.

Advertisements, Problem-Solving and More
Suppose you’re posting a help-wanted ad, trying to sell something, need help with your computer problem, or are trying to request a refund for a large purchase.  All of theses situations involve money, directly affect your personal finances, and require the ability to clearly and effectively communicate your need or problem. Simply double-checking your grammar or running your email or letter by someone else can help you get what you need and want, financially.

Tools that Help
If you’re not naturally good at remembering all the grammar and punctuation rules, don’t fret. There are numerous resources (spell-check is #1) out there to help the grammatically-challenged. Even spell-check doesn’t catch everything, so if you are questioning something, Google it. Utilize cheats and ways of remembering certain rules (i before e except after c) that will stick with you, even if they seem silly. It’s much better to use silly sayings to remember grammar rules than to communicate poorly.

In our fast-paced and tech-saavy world, it’s easy to get by with minimal grammar and punctuation skills. But ‘getting by’ isn’t the same as reaching your greatest potential in your career, personal finances, and everyday communication. Work on your grammar a little (I promise it won’t hurt), and your finances will thank you.

When you consider the word, “investment,” you probably think of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and your 401(k). Maybe you even include physical collectables like precious metals, coins, wine, baseball cards, records, books or rare memorabilia as investments. The average person, however, probably doesn’t think of art when they think of personal investing.

Art was once thought to be an investment exclusively for the mega-wealthy who could afford to plunk down many thousands of dollars on the works of famous masters that caught their eye. Today, art is much more accessible an investment to those of more modest means.

Pros and cons of investing in art

There are a number of reasons that investing in a luxury item like art is a sound idea for many people, especially when the economic climate is labile:

  • Scarcity – The value of any piece of art is based upon it being “one of a kind,” so it retains value (and sometimes appreciates in value) rather than simply becoming run-of-the-mill or obsolete over time.
  • Stability – Artwork remains valuable and desirable indefinitely. It’s intrinsic value is independent of external factors, such as the stock market.
  • Personal control – Because you physically own the work of art, you have all the control over the investment, instead of giving it over to an outside party, like a broker.

Of course, like any investment, there’s no guarantee you’ll earn a substantial – or any – profit. Investing in art has its downsides as well, including:

  • Time/effort requirement – Finding art in which to invest will be solely upon your shoulders. That means educating yourself about the art world, art values and the probability of your investment accruing value, seeking out artists and their works and making the deal to procure the art.
  • Responsibility – Procuring the art is only the beginning. Once you own a valuable piece of art, you need to store, care for and insure it to protect it – and yourself – from loss.
  • Lack of liquidity – A considerable sum will be tied up in your art investment; selling your art to realize a financial gain will take time and effort. It’s certainly not as simple as cashing out your 401(k) when you need quick money.

General tips for the beginning art investor

  • Educate yourself about art and artists – Familiarize yourself with the art world by attending galleries, striking up conversations with artists themselves and others in the know and research online at sites like 20×200, Artspace, Red Bubble and even Etsy. This will give you solid intel about appropriate pricing as well as potential future value. Buying directly from the artist when possible will allow you to avoid paying any “matchmaking” fees you’d incur by purchasing from a gallery.
  • Start collecting works from new, “emerging” artists – Getting in on the “ground floor” by purchasing art from those who have yet to make it big is a good strategy for finding affordable pieces. Although the artist may be currently unknown, find out as much as you can about him or her and the piece; this historical information will prove valuable to potential buyers when and if the artist gains notoriety.
  • Buy what you love – On the chance that the art you buy as an investment does not appreciate in value, if you’ve purchased art you love, at least you get enjoyment from the owning of it – possibly for a long time.

Investing in art may not be an obvious choice but it is an alternative strategy worth considering. Diversify your portfolio with an investment in art and you could end up with more than something pretty to look at.