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Show Page 8 The Ogden Valley news Volume XXIV Issue IX May 15, 2017 Can You Coupon Without the Extreme? Housing Price Increases Nudge Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index Upward By Nathaniel Sillin The Zions Bank Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index (CPI) ticked upward in April, rising 0.4 percent from the previous month and 2.8 percent from April last year. Housing prices had the largest impact on this month’s increase, while other sectors experienced either modest increases or slight drops. National gasoline prices have decreased slightly over the past month while Utah gasoline prices have continued to push upward, although at a slower rate. The national Consumer Price Index increased 0.3 percent from March to April and 2.2 percent over the past twelve months. Housing prices drove the overall CPI increase as apartment rates, hotel and motel rates, and furniture prices rose. In line with the housing-related increases registered in the Wasatch Front CPI, Core Logic reported that home prices in Utah increased 2.8 percent from February to March this year. Food away from home prices also increased at a rate of 1.2 percent from March to April due to higher prices for some fast food meals. “Utah’s economy is gearing up for more growth,” said Scott Anderson, Zions Bank President and CEO. “Home values continue to increase as Utah becomes more and more attractive as a market for professionals and families Following the Great Recession, it seemed liked extreme couponing was a competitive sport. You could watch on TV as shoppers armed with binders full of clipped coupons and an in-depth knowledge of stores’ policies would get incredible discounts at the checkout counter. Extreme couponing may not be as popular today, but the Recession gave many people an appreciation for living a frugal lifestyle. That’s a good thing. Living within one’s means is a core tenant of practicing good financial habits and couponing can help you achieve this goal. However, as with most things in life, you want to try and find a healthy balance and look for ways to coupon without the extreme. Make the most out of your couponing. Whether you’re on your weekly grocery run or making a major purchase, a discount can always be helpful. However, be wary of buying products you don’t regularly need or use simply because you have a coupon or there’s a sale. Some people might choose to avoid temptation by looking for coupons after the items are in their cart. With a smartphone in hand, you can use a savings app to look for savings while you’re waiting to check out. Another option, that might require a bit looking for good jobs and a great place to live.” The rise in Utah’s overall CPI was also driven by higher prices in the following categories: • Education and communication prices rose 0.7 percent as elementary and high school costs increased at the end of the school year • Other goods and services rose in price by 0.9 percent as haircuts and related expenses increased ahead of summer Utah’s price increases were slightly offset by lower prices in the following sectors: • Transportation prices fell 3.8 percent as vehicle prices and vehicle rentals dropped • Utilities prices dipped as lower summer gasoline rates were put in place • Food at home prices dropped 1.1 percent as prices for bell peppers, tomatoes, and citrus fruits declined “Utah continues to experience steady, consistent price increases that point to healthy economic expansion,” said Randy Shumway, Chairman and Partner at Cicero Group. “Utahns can retain confidence in the continued strength of our state’s economy.” Additional information available at <www. zionsbank.com> more time and strategy, is to plan your meals for the week ahead of time. You can write down your shopping list and spend five or ten minutes looking for applicable coupons before heading to the store. You might also choose to look at the coupons available and plan your meals for the week based off of what’s on sale. No matter what tactics you use, the point is to save money on items that you will use, not to purchase merchandise simply because it’s discounted. Invest your time proportionately to the potential saving. The time investment that an attempt at extreme couponing can require doesn’t always match the potential savings. Spending hours couponing and winding up saving $1.50 probably isn’t worth the time commitment. A less extreme method is to consider the potential savings and spend a proportional amount of time researching products and looking for savings opportunities. But many people don’t take this approach. A survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Zillow in 2016 found that on average, people spent eight hours researching mortgages or mortgage refinancing; 11 hours researching a new car or truck; and four hours researching a new phone, tablet or TV. Almost a fifth of those surveyed spent an hour or less shopping for their home mortgage. Learning about and comparing options before making major purchases, such as a home or car, makes sense. A small change in your mortgage’s interest rate could save or cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Comparing two new phones could save a few hundred dollars when it comes time to purchase. Smaller recurring savings, such as the previously mentioned grocery runs, can certainly add up in the long run. If you’ve got a tried-and-true method that’s working for you, go for it. Just make sure you get a good return on the time and effort you put in. If you find joy in the hunt that’s okay too. There are always exception and there are times when putting the extreme in couponing makes perfect sense. For example, there are extreme couponers who view their interest and practice as a hobby and coupon because it can be enjoyable to hunt for deals. While most hobbies cost money – this is one that could actually lead to savings. There are also extreme couponers who figure out ways to get free products and then donate them to a local charity. It’s a win-win for the couponer and those in need. Bottom line: While saving money is important, and can be fun, try not to become so enthralled by potential savings that you lose sight of the purpose—to spend less money on what you want or need. If you are going to invest your time in money-saving endeavors, make sure you can potentially get a good return on your investment. Note: Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: <www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney> MARATHON cont. from page 1 normal by 1:15 p.m. on May 20. As part of this year’s Mayor’s Walk, participants are invited to bring their four-legged furry companions. The walk begins near the High Adventure Park on Grant Avenue and 18th Street, and will also finish at the same location as the marathon. The first 200 people to register will receive an event shirt and a commemorative Mayor’s Challenge coin. Those interested in participating in these events can register online at <www.getoutandlive.org> Note: The GOAL Foundation, producer of the Ogden Marathon, was established after the 2002 Olympics with a mission to inspire the Greater Ogden Community and its visitors to “Get Out And Live!”™ by participating, volunteering, and spectating at recreational events, programs, and activities. GOAL is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIdAy-MAy 19 9:00 am - Shake Out Run with Javier Chavez (at Expo) 10:00 am - 8:00 pm - Altra Fun & Fitness Expo, 4400 Harrison Blvd., Ogden 6:00 pm - 2nd Annual Mayor’s Walk at 18th & Grant Ave. SATURdAy-MAy 20 5:15 am - Last runners buses leave from 25th St. & Washington Blvd. for Full, Half & Relay legs 1-2 5:15 am - Last VIP runners buses leave from 26th St. & Washington Blvd., by Bank of Utah 6:00 am – Ogden Canyon Closes 6:05 am – Sunrise Canyon Bike Ride starts from Nordic Valley Ski Area 6:00 am - Last runners buses leave from 23rd St. & Kiesel Ave. for 5K start line 6:15 am - Last runners buses leave from 25th St. & Washington Blvd. for Relay legs 3-4 6:45 am - Half Marathon & 5K Start 7:15 am - Full Marathon & Relay Start 7:30 am - Teleperformance Finish Line Festival opens to the public with food, music & fun! 8:00 am - Last runners buses leave from 25th St. & Washington Blvd. for Relay leg 5 8:45 am - Main Park Stage, 5K overall awards presented, male & female. Age divisions awards available at awards tent. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Miller Lite/Talisman Brewery Beer Garden 11:00 am - Kids K registration opens at the GOAL booth 11:45 am - Main Park Stage, Full & Half Marathon overall awards presented, male & female. Age division awards available after results are posted at awards tent. 12:30 pm - Kids K Race begins at 25th St. & Kiesel Ave. 1:15 pm - Ogden Canyon reopens 2:00 pm - End of race |