Shopping for car insurance quotes is something nobody looks forward to, but these days the process can be made much less painful by simply shopping for your auto coverage online. Below are a few basics if you’re new to the process.

1) Know what coverage you want. The easiest way to do this is to look at your current policy. If you’re happy with the coverage you’ve had in the past but think you’re paying too much, this will quickly show you if another company has better prices for you. If you think you’ve been oversold by your previous company or agent, pull back the coverages one at a time and compare again. Often a single component of the coverage can have a big impact on prices, so you don’t have to skimp across the board.

2) Look around. Although some insurance companies tout their ability to “compare prices instantly”, there are also many third-party websites that will do the same thing – and often with better results. There are a lot of very respectable insurance companies that you may never of thought of (or heard of), and they’re often left out of the “big name” auto coverage comparisons. Independent sites will include them in your searches as well, given you a better chance to get those cheaper auto insurance online.

3) Check the marquee. Believe it or not, the name listed “first” on a car insurance policy can make a huge difference in price. If you or your spouse has a cleaner driving record or a better credit rating, try using their name as the “primary insured” instead of yours. If you’re not sure whose is better, try them both. If you’ve recently gotten married and consolidated your car insurance policies, check who has top billing on the policy for a quick trick that can result in big discounts.

4) Protect your identity. As with anything on the internet, there are great tools and scams too. Before entering your personal information on any site, check that the url is secure (shows the “https” and the lock symbol in your browser) and do a quick check (the fine print at the bottom of the page is a good place to start) to be sure it’s legit.

If you follow these few rules, you’ll be on your way to finding big savings on your car insurance policy online.

Readers, do you have any other good tips for saving money on car insurance?

The following is a post by staff writer Crystal at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff. Her blog covers living expenses, saving for your future, and the fun stuff in between.

As a zero-based budgeter, I am sometimes asked what we do with any windfalls that may pop up. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you, but now we have a plan.

Mr. BFS and I sometimes have a few hundred dollars at the end of the month that is just leftover – extra cash after all our savings goals and expenses are covered. Most of this extra usually comes from the sports officiating Mr. BFS does after work but now a little of it is from my blog as well. :-)

Anyway, for almost a year we just socked the extra away into the emergency fund, but hubby once complained that his extra work didn’t seem to be bringing him any extra money (“fun” money specifically). I don’t have as many hobbies as Mr. BFS, so I had never really thought about it like that. After talking about it, we came up with a system that has worked really well for us so far.

We put 50% towards our emergency savings and/or mortgage depending on how much is in the emergency account. If we don’t have at least $10,000 in the emergency fund, we put it all towards that since $10,000 is the bare minimum for us to feel secure. If that is taken care of, we split the 50% between the emergency fund and the mortgage as we see fit. Another 25% goes to our vacation account and the last 25% is split between our two individual fun money accounts.

This has been working well, but we will now be getting four “extra” paychecks each year – we are both paid biweekly on the same day since he got his new job. We agree (in fact, hubby brought it up) that $2500 just seems like a ridiculous amount to add to fun money accounts, so we will probably be putting those four paychecks a year into a second Roth IRA.

As I was writing this up, I noticed that Daniel even has noted in that he was thinking of putting some “extra” money either in savings or towards a want, specifically an iPhone.

I also came across 4 Ways to Maximize Your Stop Loss Pay at No Debt Plan and thought Kevin had some good ideas too:

1) Put it Where Your Budget Needs It
2) Pay Down Debt
3) Save It – emergency fund or Roth IRA
4) Buy a CD and think about your options

What do/would you do with some monthly extra? Would that answer change if it was a few thousand dollars or more?

The following is a post by staff writer Crystal at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff.  Her blog covers living expenses, saving for your future, and the fun stuff in between.

I thought this article at Yahoo was just perfect for Sweating the Big Stuff. According to it, these are the five things that will consume 50% of your total lifetime earnings:

1. House
2. Car
3. Kids
4. Higher Education
5. Retirement

I’m not terribly surprised at the list, but I thought it would be fun to come up with ways of saving as much as you can in these areas so you don’t have to sweat the small stuff so much.

1. House – I personally think that you should only buy a home you can EASILY afford. I thought of how Mr. BFS and I would need to live if we only had one income and we bought a house with a mortgage to match that hypothetical scenario. It would be tight, but we could even keep the house if we had to live off of my $35k a year.

My rule of thumb for home buying is to save up at least 20% down plus a small emergency fund (at least a month or two of living expenses). Also, I wouldn’t suggest taking on a mortgage payment that would use up more than 25% of your total take home pay for the payment and property taxes. Our house falls in at 19.8% with taxes.

Yes, I understand that homes on the coasts are insanely priced and may take up a much bigger percentage. This is why I called it “my” rule of thumb. I don’t think we’d personally ever break that rule, so I guess we’d need to make more if we lived in a pricier area or rent a tiny place that could fit into our budget. I rather rent than risk a foreclosure.

2. Car – Yes, the big, pretty, shiny car may be calling your name, but your wallet is going to take a beating if you indulge that whim too often.

Our rule of thumb on vehicles is to buy the least expensive new or used car that also matches our criteria. In my case, I needed a commuter vehicle that was 100% ready to go and wouldn’t have any issues right off the bat while we were broke college kids. That’s how I ended up with my Chevy Aveo. I hate this car now, but it did technically fulfill it’s purpose.

Mr. BFS needed a car that could be driven ALOT cheaply since he has a longer commute and is a sports official after work. It also needed storage space for all of his ref gear and teaching stuff. The Prius actually matched all of that perfectly. It was also much more affordable than the small SUV we were looking at to start with. We saved even more by simply buying a Certified Preowned one-year old model – it had the warranty like the new car and a price we could cough up.

In general, I’d say don’t buy a vehicle that you’d have to spend more than 8% of your take home pay on every month. We are aiming to never finance a car again. Every huge outgoing expense like a mortgage payment or car loan sucks up money better than a cat with a bowl of cream.

3. Kids – According to the article, a child could cost $220,000 to raise and that doesn’t include college. They suggest to avoid overindulging your bundles of joy. I’d suggest making them work off their cost, but that’s just me being evil, hehehe.

Honestly, just don’t go crazy on the stuff that doesn’t matter – no baby cares whether its clothes are from a thrift store or garage sale. I promise. Quality time and love are really the best things you will ever give a child. That will be what they remember. That’s what I remember the most from my parents.

4. Higher Education – Yes, college is expensive. Try to rack up as little debt as possible and take your future job opportunities into account. If future jobs are expected to be low paying, like a volunteer doctor in Africa, a person will be better off taking on less debt than if that same doctor was immediately going to be part of his/her family’s practice.

I think the article was right when saying “Rough rule of thumb, don’t take on more in total education debt than you think you are going to earn on average annually during your first 10 years after graduating (from college or grad school). In plain English, if you think you’ll make $50,000 a year, don’t take out more than $50,000 in loans.”

One year of future salary in loans does sound much more manageable than most scenarios I seem to hear about. To keep your debt lowered, first apply for every grant and scholarship you can possibly get your hands on. Then if there is still a shortfall, I’d suggest looking into part-time work. Lastly, once you are out of college, continue to live like a broke college kid. The more you can hammer away at the loans, the faster you will be debt free.

The 2-3 part-time jobs I held throughout college minimized my costs, so I ended up graduating debt free after my parents forgave $8000 in family loans. Even $8000 would not have been a threat to my financial future.

5. Retirement – The general rule of thumb as the article states it is to save 25 times your current income. That would give you enough that withdrawing 4% a year would be the same as your current annual salary.

Even though I do not think we will need to even use 4% a year since we currently live very nicely off of only 60% of our salaries, we are still shooting for $2,000,000 in our retirement accounts by age 60. This will help supplement my husband’s pension.

In order to reach whatever retirement goals you set, I’d suggest automatically putting away the money. Not only does this keep you from blowing off your goals, but don’t you already have enough on your plate? I know I do. Automation just makes my financial life easier, which is a welcome relief. :-)

Do you think they hit the nail on the head? Are these the 5 things that take up 50% of your money? Do you have any suggestions on saving in these areas?

Ryan from Planting Dollars asked a great question a few weeks ago: How Long Do I Have to Act Poor Until I’m Rich? Then, last week, Free Money Finance wrote about balancing enjoying your money now versus later.

I think I can answer this question well because after living like a college student for four years in college, I decided I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to continue that type of lifestyle for another year (read: I wanted to save money).

I got a cheap apartment with 3 roommates, a room without a window, and ridiculous furnishings from the owner, including a 50lb deer from Indonesia (don’t ask me why he has it to begin with).

Not exactly the stylish working-man lifestyle I envisioned. But saving money is great.

So at what point does that stop? Is there a number I reach at which point I say, “Now I’m rich, time to start spending significantly more. I want nice things, always and I refuse to settle.”

Eh…not exactly.

It’s definitely a gradual process. In college, I barely spent a thing. I ate pasta 5 times a week and I was very conscious of spending too much on going out. Then, I started to make money and I eased up a bit.

Pasta 4 times a week and I had a weekly happy hour.

As my bank account started to grow, I started to ease up even more.

Now, I’ve decided to move out of my room and into a new apartment, one with air conditioning, natural light, and a closet. Pretty sweet, right?

It’s costing me an additional $225, but I think it’s definitely worth it.

Do I consider myself rich? Hell no, I still have $20,000 in student loans to pay off. Just because I have a positive net worth doesn’t mean I’m in a position to start throwing around big bills.

But I deserve a certain level of comfort and as I save up a larger emergency fund and as I pay off more of my debt, I will gradually be willing to spend a litle bit more.

To answer Ryan’s question, I’ll give you the million dollar answer: It depends.

For some people, they prefer to live like a pauper for many years. Then, when they have enough money, it’s become a way of life.

For others, they get tired of modest living and rack up debt, spending years to get back to where they once were.

For the smart few, they build wealth while they increase they quality of life.

There is no switch to hit. There is no magic number. But careful planning and cutting back on the things that aren’t important to you and focusing on the ones that are will make you feel rich. My window makes me feel like a million bucks.

Please Welcome Crystal, a brand new Sweating The Big Stuff staff writer. Crystal currently blogs over at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff, where she write about finding the balance between paying your bills, saving for your future, and budgeting for the fun stuff in between. Our shared passion for enjoying life while being financially responsible seem to be a perfect match, so please welcome her!

Home maintenance is not one of my strong suits. If something is broken, it gets fixed. That’s about it. Although I don’t succeed at following through on every great tip, I do actually carry out some of the following repairs listed in the Yahoo Finance article, 10 Home Repairs That Will Save You Money. Some of these are surprisingly basic but can save thousands of dollars in the long run.

1. Caulk

If you’ve lived in your house a few years, you probably noticed that the caulk along your sinks, countertops and bathtub is coming loose. These gaps may not seem like a big deal, but they can wreak havoc inside your walls. Moisture causes mold and even leaks – expensive repairs that can easily be prevented. A tube of kitchen and bath caulk costs just a few dollars, and you’ll avoid expensive repairs.

2. Insulate The quickest way to save money on your energy bill is to insulate, yet so many of us overlook this simple home improvement project for its benefits. Sure, your walls are insulated, but what about your basement, your attic, and your garage? Just in case the energy cost savings aren’t enticing enough for you, check with the IRS – there are current credits that allow you to deduct this energy-saving expense from your taxes.

3. Change Filters

When was the last time you changed your furnace’s air filters? It’s an oft-overlooked chore, but one that keep your furnace running efficiently, and improves the air quality inside your home. Change your filters at least every three months to keep your furnace working efficiently for years to come.

4. Install a Thermostat
Does your home have a programmable thermostat? If not, invest in one; it’ll earn its money back in no time. By programming heating and cooling, you avoid paying to keep an empty house at a comfortable temperature. Manage the heat appropriately in winter to avoid burst water pipes; in summer, draw your curtains during the day to keep the house cool. Buy a programmable thermostat and you can save big on monthly bills.

5. Fix Leaks
That leaky faucet or runny toilet is draining your water bill, and in most cases it’s a cheap and quick fix. Replace the washer on your faucet, and while you’re at it, consider installing a faucet aerator if yours doesn’t already have one. Faucet aerators reduce water flow from your faucet to save on your water bill; check your home improvement store for this inexpensive fix.

6. Install Dimmers
Dimmers aren’t just for romance; they can save you big bucks on your energy bill. They’re cheap and easy to install, so look for rooms that could use a little reduction in harsh lighting. While you’re at it, replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. They’re big money savers.

7. Clean Carpets Clean your carpet lately? With proper care, carpets can last a long time and look great, but everyone needs to clean them sometime. You don’t need to hire an expensive service either – if you can vacuum, you can clean your carpets by yourself. Rent a carpet cleaner at your local supermarket or big-box store for a modest fee. Make sure you vacuum thoroughly before cleaning, and pick a dry day so your carpet dries quickly. With regular cleaning your carpet can last a long time, saving you big bucks on new flooring.

8. Clean Siding and Windows
Windows and siding get a beating in most climates. Wash your windows and siding with a simple hose and water first, and with a cleaning solution as needed; your home improvement store sells specialty products for just this kind of job. Rent a power washer for very dirty jobs. Keep an eye on cobwebs, wasp and bird nests to ensure your home’s exterior stays in good shape. Touch up with paint as needed, and your house will look like new at little or no cost.

9. Fight Pests
Those spiders and ants at your foundation, that mouse nest in your crawl space? Take care of it – pests can destroy a home in a hurry. Hire an exterminator, or for small pests, combat with pesticides. Even if you don’t think you have a problem, inspect every part of the interior and exterior of your home regularly to avoid small pest problems getting out hand.

10. Clean Ductwork If your home is older, your ductwork likely has dust, grime, and other unwelcome residue inside. For big jobs, pay a professional; a simple cleaning can easily be done yourself. Simply remove the grates from your air vents, and clean the inside with your vacuum.

Okay, so here’s where I stand:

1. Caulk – We caulked like crazy people when we first bought our house in 2007, but I haven’t picked up the dried out tube since then. Oops. It’s probably about time for us to do a little caulk check-up since water that gets into the floor of our second story bathroom could cause a hole in our bottom floor ceiling.

2. Insulate – Thankfully our home came very well insulated. Our electricity bill is never higher than $200, even in the summer, which is great for Houston, TX. I do think we need to add some more weather-stripping to the back door and the one leading to the garage since I can see light in the tiny opening left by worn away stripping. We could probably eek out a little more savings on our electricity bill. I’ll put it on our ever-growing to-do list.

3. Change Filters – We don’t have a furnace, but I change our air conditioner filter every month or two. We just bought a 90 day filter that should help decrease the pet dander from our dogs. I’ll let you know if I can ease up on my Claritin addiction.

4. Install a Thermostat – Again, we got lucky and our house came with a programmable thermostat. It’s awesome. Not only does it help keep our bills low, but I never sit shivering for an hour before realizing I lowered the A/C two hours ago and just got too involved with the tv or laptop to adjust it again. Yes, that happened to me all the time in our last apartment…

5. Fix Leaks – I fixed a few leaks last year, but I do have a guest bedroom toilet that’s been runny…time for another quick fix. Our water bill has stayed the same, but no reason to waste if we don’t have to, right?

6. Install Dimmers – We would never actually dim the lights, so we haven’t bothered. BUT, we do replace bulbs that go out with the energy-efficient ones. I have no idea if it is saving us money, but I’m counting on them lasting longer. We had one energy-efficient bulb die on us right out of the box, but the company sent us a replacement at no cost. If an energy-efficient bulb gives you problems, keep the bulb and call the phone number on the back of its box. Each bulb is individually numbered and they’ll want that before sending you a new one.

7. Clean Carpets – We replaced the carpets downstairs with wood laminate, which has made me VERY happy. I hate the cream-colored, cheap Berber that our house came with and cannot wait for it to completely wear out upstairs. Then I can justify the expense and hassle of getting the stairs and second floor recarpeted. In the meantime, most of it gets vacuumed every two-three weeks now.

8. Clean Siding and Windows – I keep an eye out for wasp nests, but I do need to clean a little green stuff off our back siding. I don’t see it often, so it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind. I’d do it right now, but I’m lazy and it’s dark outside. I haven’t actually thought about washing our windows…do any of you do that often?

9. Fight Pests – We actually pay Terminex $80 every three months to spray all around the outside of the house and inside the garage. Ants only annoy me, but fleas and cockroaches really creep me out. Even though my dogs are flea-free, I don’t trust my neighbors. I even put out that lawn care stuff with bug killer twice a year.

10. Clean Ductwork – Our house was built in 2004. Is that considered old yet? Needless to say, I haven’t checked our ductwork ever…now I feel like a slacker.

How do you add up on these money-saving maintenance tips? Are there any others you think should be added?