AP9 Consumer Gateway Weblog

DealPass.com Offers Tips on How to Save (More) for Retirement

Living well may be the best revenge, as the axiom goes, but living well for longer is a more useful goal. Unfortunately, too many Americans these days aren’t able -- or willing -- to put money away for their retirement. DealPass, an online savings portal, offers visitors a variety of ways to save money in the short term, savings that can be redirected toward any number of options that can help pave the way toward a more comfortable post-career life.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Gross Domestic Product Report from April 2006, U.S. personal savings, i.e., disposable personal income minus personal expenses, was negative $50.5 billion in the first quarter of 2006. The personal saving rate was negative 0.5 percent, which means that, as a whole, we’re spending more than we’re earning.

Given the recent hikes in gas prices and ever-increasing healthcare costs, it’s easy to see why many household budgets have been stretched very thin. However, even in difficult economic times, it’s imperative that you sock some money away for your retirement. DealPass, which offers grocery coupons, special deals, membership savings programs and more, is a great place to find ways to reduce your monthly expenses.

To help send you off into retirement (whenever that day comes) with more than just a watch and a handshake, DealPass offers a few suggestions on building a nest egg:

-- Start now. Procrastination is not a viable savings strategy. Pick an amount or a percentage of your current paycheck that you can afford to divert into an individual retirement account (IRA), a 401(k) or even just a savings account. It doesn’t have to be a large amount (although “the bigger, the better” holds true); even $25 per paycheck is better than nothing.

-- Give at the office. If your company offers a 401(k) plan, ask for details, consult with a financial expert, and sign up if the plan works to your benefit. If you can make your contributions through an automatic payroll deduction, do so; that way, you won’t be tempted to spend the money elsewhere. Also, many companies match a certain percentage of their employees’ contributions, which is essentially free savings, but the only way to receive it is to contribute yourself. (FYI: The 2006 maximum for 401(k) contributions is $15,000 for people under 50; if you’re 50 or older in 2006, you can contribute up to $20,000.)

-- Open an IRA. IRAs are easy to open, and your options are plentiful. Whether you choose a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA or both, you can save on taxes even as you’re saving for retirement. Contact your local bank or a financial consultant for more information.

-- Track your Social Security earnings. While Social Security was never intended to be the sole source of income for retired workers, it can and does offer a dependable monthly check to retirees and disabled citizens -- and it can and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. If you’re already contributing to Social Security (and you probably are), you should be receiving a Social Security Statement every year that provides an ongoing summary of your estimated retirement benefits. Be sure to check your statement so you can forecast your retirement income and calculate how much more you may need to save in order to enjoy your golden years.

Ideally, your retirement will be spent in the company of friends and loved ones, comfortably passing the time in a manner of your choosing. The best way to make that happen is to start planning -- and saving -- immediately, notes DealPass.

AP9 Companies Offer Ideas on Destinations for Spring Getaways

As winter exits and spring moves in, AP9 companies, which offer a variety of travel and entertainment savings programs, wants to encourage us to take a little break from the indoor season.

Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or a beach bum on hiatus, the lure of the great outdoors only increases as the blustery spring winds begin to push aside winter’s chill and replace it with the promise of warmer weather. Members of AP9 companies take great comfort in knowing that they can satisfy their wanderlust -- and their cravings for savings -- by logging in at DealPass.com for members-only deals on travel arrangements, accommodations, accessories and more.

Thing is, if you’re feeling the urge to hit the snow for one last hurrah or the sandy beaches for a little much-needed R&R, you know you’re probably not alone in that desire. “Cabin fever” and its lesser-known cousin, “cabin boredom,” tend to afflict vast numbers of the population as spring moves in. You might therefore want to weigh your need to get away with your interest in sharing your space with others before you make any reservations.

Fortunately, AP9 companies can offer a few tips that might help you find a vacation spot that’s perfect for you:

-- Go west, young shredder (and/or older skiers). While most East Coast ski resorts now cater to the snowboarding crowd, the best amenities and conditions are found out west -- and the options are much more plentiful. Thanks to their higher elevations, ski resorts in the Rockies and the Sierras typically have deeper snow bases, more powdery days and longer ski seasons. From Jackson Hole to Mammoth, from Squaw Valley to Sun Valley, western ski resorts offer something for every age range and every skiing or snowboarding level.

-- Think outside the hill. If all you plan to do is ski, you’ll want to base your choice on which mountain best fits your ability. But if you’re bringing the family, and not all of them share your enthusiasm, look for resorts that offer interesting alternatives, either at the mountain or within easy traveling distance. For instance, Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada border, is within driving distance to at least eight different ski resorts but also features a wide range of non-skiing activities, including fine dining, nightclub acts, gambling, golf courses within an hour or two, and much more.

-- Make a (spring) break for it. Fans of warm-weather, spring-break revelry can easily find dozens of destinations to satisfy their love of crowds. Five of the top destinations include: Jamaica; Lake Havasu, Arizona; South Padre Island, Texas; Cancun, Mexico; and Panama City, Florida. If you’re a little late to the booking party, try Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach and other Florida hot spots, or look into beaches around Baja California.

-- Break away. For folks looking to avoid the crowds and carnival atmosphere of spring-break beach spots, some resorts now offer adult-only (i.e., no one under the age of 25) or family vacation packages around the peak of spring break. Among other options, Sandals has 12 couples-only locations in the Caribbean, while Beaches and Breezes both provide family-oriented fun.

Regardless of how you want to spend your spring getaway, you can find whatever you’re looking for with a little bit of research and effort. And there’s never a bad time to take a break from your everyday routine -- especially when you can save on your travel plans through programs like those provided by AP9 companies.