Here are the 5 financial tips for the first week of November 2011

Tip no 1 - Buy flood insurance if you stay in a flood prone area.

Flood insurance is a necessity for the people living in flood prone areas. This is primarily because normal homeowners’ insurance policies don't provide any kind of coverage to the flood victims. However, flood insurance policies will financially compensate the people for the insured losses. The insurance company will pay the victims for the destruction caused to their homes and properties by rising waters.

So, if you reside in an area where floods are a yearly occurrence, then make sure you purchase a flood insurance policy as soon as possible. Otherwise, be prepared to spend a substantial part of your savings on repairing your properties damaged by floods.

Tip no 2 - Use an online spreadsheet to plan a suitable budget.

One of the easiest ways to plan and maintain a personal budget is through online spreadsheets. An online spreadsheet can help you keep a tab on your expenses. You can use these sheets as per your wish. If you want to modify the spread sheet, then you can do it easily. The best part of the online spread sheets is that you can calculate your monthly income, expenses, deficits, savings, etc. without making a single mistake. Moreover, you can share the budget spreadsheet with your family members. This way, they will also be able to update family expenses which you're not aware of.

Tip no 3 - Have at least one credit card for emergencies.

People have a tendency to stop using credit cards when they are facing a major financial turmoil. While it is not bad to stay away from the credit cards during those circumstances, yet it will be a mistake to close all the accounts at once. Keep at least one credit card with you. Use this card to meet your emergency expenses. This card will be especially helpful to you if you don't have an emergency fund. You can use the credit card to meet your emergency expenses and pay the bill later on.

Tip no 4 - Use public transport to save money on gasoline and also save nature.

Are you fed up with the rising fuel prices? Are you thinking about how to combat with the ever rising fuel prices? If yes, then start commuting through public transport instead of your cars or bikes. If your home is located at a metropolitan area, then you can save a considerable amount of money on gas.

Apart from saving money on your fuels, you can also save environment through this tip. It is said that one public bus can take more than 30 vehicles off the road. This implies that it can help to prevent tons of harmful gases from being emitted into the air. In short, it will help us to protect our mother nature.

Tip no 5 - Take full advantage of Thanksgiving sale! Buy items at a relatively cheaper price!

Are you planning to host a grand party for your family members on the coming Thanksgiving Day? If yes, start planning for the party from now onwards. Make a list of the items you'll need to organize the party. Browse through the different shopping websites. A lot of the shopping websites offer good deals during the festive season. So, you can easily grab one.

A lot of the retail stores also give sale offers before the Thanksgiving Day. So, you may also very well take advantage of these offers and purchase items at a moderate price.