With prices jumping in all industries, dating really gets too expensive to handle. Ladies, we want to look as beautiful as possible, but it'll cost us big! Guys, you want to impress us, but it'll tear a hole in your wallet. Here's some tips I've found for both sides of this dilemma.
Ladies, a versatile wardrobe can go a very long way. By having fairly neutral pieces in your closet, you can create an infinite number of ensembles. Jewelry, shoes, and handbags can be flashier to make yourself stand out in a crowd. On a limited budget, having pieces that can work for social and professional settings can go a long way! My silky blouse goes with a pencil skirt for work and skinny jeans for a night out. Flowers are a new accessory that adds flair to an outfit or hairdo. These can be picked up really cheap at a craft store or dollar store even! Keep it simple, keep it frugal.
Guys, the first date is a good impression. You don't have to take us to a five star restaurant, but the experience needs to make an impact. Pick a restaurant with something unique to offer such as dinner theater or an exotic cuisine. If dinner isn't your thing, try bowling or pool. It gets your date to be themselves and takes some pressure off. A nice picnic in the park can make an impact too. Adds personality with a romantic gesture (and saves money).
Dating is tough as it is. It shouldn't cost all your limbs though. Keep it frugal without seeming like a cheapskate. Good luck! :)
Friday, October 21, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The unexpected
How many go through this situation...
You've gotten all your bills paid on time and even a bit more in advance. You have a little extra that you'd love to treat yourself with so you buy the new iPhone 4s that you wanted so badly. Then when you get your oil changed, your mechanic mentions your brakes and rotors need replaced. It just so happens to be the exact amount you spent on treating yourself. What do you do if you don't have the extra money to take care of it??
The one thing I do not recommend unless you absolutely have no other choice is a payday loan. Their rates are outrageous but are easily obtained.
Have one credit card with a good available balance for these times but pay it off quickly or suffer the interest wrath!
The best case scenario is having a good savings balance. That's money you do not owe later and takes care of the problem quickly. I'm not saying you can't treat yourself every now and then, but I sure learned my lesson! Next time I'll be sure I have plenty in my savings before splurging.
Happy savings!!
You've gotten all your bills paid on time and even a bit more in advance. You have a little extra that you'd love to treat yourself with so you buy the new iPhone 4s that you wanted so badly. Then when you get your oil changed, your mechanic mentions your brakes and rotors need replaced. It just so happens to be the exact amount you spent on treating yourself. What do you do if you don't have the extra money to take care of it??
The one thing I do not recommend unless you absolutely have no other choice is a payday loan. Their rates are outrageous but are easily obtained.
Have one credit card with a good available balance for these times but pay it off quickly or suffer the interest wrath!
The best case scenario is having a good savings balance. That's money you do not owe later and takes care of the problem quickly. I'm not saying you can't treat yourself every now and then, but I sure learned my lesson! Next time I'll be sure I have plenty in my savings before splurging.
Happy savings!!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Renovation, Relocation, and Realization...
Buying real estate is a difficult, but rewarding decision. You are gaining an asset that can be used for a variety of ways for added income. Rental homes have had an increase in demand due to foreclosures on homes, affordability, and people just can’t get approved for a mortgage. So if you can afford it, this is the time to stock up on some prime rental properties. I will eventually relocate after getting my bachelors so I am preparing my first home purchase for renting. Some things I’ve learned is even the cheapest, simplest change can mean an increase in value and comfort. Removing dated wallpaper and adding a neutral coat of paint can make a significant impact on a home’s value. It also makes the renters feel more comfortable. Building storage shelves in a tiny closet can help appeal to renters who are looking for options. For your own benefit, keeping the lawn low-maintenance will save in external costs from having the property rented.It’s amazing what a change in hardware, light fixtures, and wall colors will do for your real estate. Check out local yard sales, clearance sales at hardware stores, and some manufacturer deals online. You can be creative and turn an old thing into something new. You don’t have to spend a fortune to raise your property value.
Now if you are considering relocation for a job or just to get out, there are many things to consider. The first thing you must look at is your situation. Are you single? Married? Have pets? Kids? You want your next living arrangement to fit your needs and your budget. Make a list of what you need and what you want. Once you fill your primary needs (size, location, amenities, etc.) then you can look and see if what you want fits the budget. It’s important to have many options and to really think it through. Most leases are on a yearly basis and the real estate market is not favorable to sell for a while. Check out local blogs and articles about what parts of the city are safe, affordable, and offer what you are looking for. The locals are a great resource. The next thing you must consider when relocating is your new monthly budget for expenses. Will it change because of where you relocate? Someone who goes from small town to city needs to change their budget dramatically to fit their new lifestyle. You might have a much better salary, but your cost of living goes up significantly. If your single, might want to consider moving in with someone or adding a roommate to your apartment. If you are married, try to figure up both new salaries vs what you can afford. If you have kids, do your homework when it comes to schools and child care. Some areas may offer greater opportunities for your kids and will have better child care.
The last part of this post is realization. Both renovation and relocation are two large parts of life that take a lot of planning and investigation. Take the time to realize that this won’t happen overnight. Renovations take months even years. If you are planning on relocating within the next six months, start planning now! Get some money in savings that will be used specifically for relocating expenses. Some employers do not compensate anymore. Do your homework now about areas in the cities you are thinking of moving to. Visit there a couple times to scope out the neighborhoods and nightlife. See what’s the good fit now, so you can be more comfortable with your decision in the future.
Now if you are considering relocation for a job or just to get out, there are many things to consider. The first thing you must look at is your situation. Are you single? Married? Have pets? Kids? You want your next living arrangement to fit your needs and your budget. Make a list of what you need and what you want. Once you fill your primary needs (size, location, amenities, etc.) then you can look and see if what you want fits the budget. It’s important to have many options and to really think it through. Most leases are on a yearly basis and the real estate market is not favorable to sell for a while. Check out local blogs and articles about what parts of the city are safe, affordable, and offer what you are looking for. The locals are a great resource. The next thing you must consider when relocating is your new monthly budget for expenses. Will it change because of where you relocate? Someone who goes from small town to city needs to change their budget dramatically to fit their new lifestyle. You might have a much better salary, but your cost of living goes up significantly. If your single, might want to consider moving in with someone or adding a roommate to your apartment. If you are married, try to figure up both new salaries vs what you can afford. If you have kids, do your homework when it comes to schools and child care. Some areas may offer greater opportunities for your kids and will have better child care.
The last part of this post is realization. Both renovation and relocation are two large parts of life that take a lot of planning and investigation. Take the time to realize that this won’t happen overnight. Renovations take months even years. If you are planning on relocating within the next six months, start planning now! Get some money in savings that will be used specifically for relocating expenses. Some employers do not compensate anymore. Do your homework now about areas in the cities you are thinking of moving to. Visit there a couple times to scope out the neighborhoods and nightlife. See what’s the good fit now, so you can be more comfortable with your decision in the future.
Penny Pinching and Debt Reduction
One of the hardest things to do in life no matter what anyone says is getting out of debt. Some of us rack it up when we are young and foolish and have a hard time getting out of it. I am a prime example of that. With entrepreneurship, I have to save every penny I can for the start-up of my business. I have no idea how well/poor it will do so I need to be prepared at all times. Here’s some ways I’ve pinched my penny and reduced debt:
1. I complete a debt worksheet every paycheck to show myself how much I owe. Once I see that bottom number after mortgage, student loans, car, and credit card balances, I immediately put back that new electronic toy I want. Sometimes we need a reminder that there are more important things to pay for.
2. I have not had cable in my home for almost a year. I started out with Netflix on my Wii and getting 2 DVD’s at a time (before they split and raised costs). Now, I got rid of that too! Instead, I focus my time on my business and school. When I want to watch something, I either go to Redbox, borrow from a friend, or watch what I already have. Sometimes I miss having cable, but the television networks have full episodes on most of their sites so I can keep up. If I wasn’t going to school online, I’d get rid of the internet to save some more money per month.
3. I’m looking for a person to rent my spare bedroom to cut utility costs and mortgage costs. I can either use that money to put towards a business savings, or pay off debts immediately.
4. Spaghetti, peanut butter sandwiches, and cereal are my favorite foods. They are extremely cost effective and I don’t get sick of them. I haven’t been much of a breakfast person, but I think it’s time to re-vamp my eating habits. When I was in the army I had a large breakfast, moderate lunch, and very light supper. I was active all day so I worked up those calories and kept my weight under control. I might need to bring back that discipline to my life.
5. I have become a crazy couponer and even my co-workers are getting into it. We all gather newspaper inserts, I clip them, I take what I want, and we pass around what is left. I check the weekly specials with what coupons I have and take advantage of the extra savings. It’s a good idea to stock up on non-perishible items such as toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. because you know you’ll need them. I’m not saying fill up a storage unit with these itmes, but at least get a month or two supply ahead so you don’t have to worry about that when you can’t afford to get it.
6. I have not bought clothes or jewelry for months. I used to be the type of person to buy a new shirt to go out in each week, but now I mix and match my wardrobe to keep looking nice but still not spending any extra. I’m thinking of getting a sewing machine and making some clothing/accessories myself with materials on sale to save even more.
7. If the item doesn’t need to be name brand, then I will go to Dollar General or Dollar Tree to get it. For example, my dog doesn’t care what toy or treat she gets as long as she can have it. So getting cheap toys at yard sales or for $1 at Dollar Tree saves a lot. She destroys it in five minutes anyway!
8. I don’t buy home decor until after the season is over and it goes on clearance. I’ve put up my fall decor I got last year when fall went out of season and I love it! Same with Christmas. I have a lot of new Christmas items to put up this year because I got some on 75% – 90% off clearance in stores last year. It makes you that more excited for the next holiday. Auctions are a great place to find home decor for cheap too. You can spruce up an item that has been neglected by checking out HGTV or DIY Network websites. They have amazing ideas!
Those are some penny-pinchers I’ve done so far and I’m sure there are more I’m forgetting. The bottom line is you need to write down what you spend and cut out what you can live without. It’ll make it that much more enjoyable when you can afford to have it back. Make goals and plans to reduce that debt! Good luck!
1. I complete a debt worksheet every paycheck to show myself how much I owe. Once I see that bottom number after mortgage, student loans, car, and credit card balances, I immediately put back that new electronic toy I want. Sometimes we need a reminder that there are more important things to pay for.
2. I have not had cable in my home for almost a year. I started out with Netflix on my Wii and getting 2 DVD’s at a time (before they split and raised costs). Now, I got rid of that too! Instead, I focus my time on my business and school. When I want to watch something, I either go to Redbox, borrow from a friend, or watch what I already have. Sometimes I miss having cable, but the television networks have full episodes on most of their sites so I can keep up. If I wasn’t going to school online, I’d get rid of the internet to save some more money per month.
3. I’m looking for a person to rent my spare bedroom to cut utility costs and mortgage costs. I can either use that money to put towards a business savings, or pay off debts immediately.
4. Spaghetti, peanut butter sandwiches, and cereal are my favorite foods. They are extremely cost effective and I don’t get sick of them. I haven’t been much of a breakfast person, but I think it’s time to re-vamp my eating habits. When I was in the army I had a large breakfast, moderate lunch, and very light supper. I was active all day so I worked up those calories and kept my weight under control. I might need to bring back that discipline to my life.
5. I have become a crazy couponer and even my co-workers are getting into it. We all gather newspaper inserts, I clip them, I take what I want, and we pass around what is left. I check the weekly specials with what coupons I have and take advantage of the extra savings. It’s a good idea to stock up on non-perishible items such as toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. because you know you’ll need them. I’m not saying fill up a storage unit with these itmes, but at least get a month or two supply ahead so you don’t have to worry about that when you can’t afford to get it.
6. I have not bought clothes or jewelry for months. I used to be the type of person to buy a new shirt to go out in each week, but now I mix and match my wardrobe to keep looking nice but still not spending any extra. I’m thinking of getting a sewing machine and making some clothing/accessories myself with materials on sale to save even more.
7. If the item doesn’t need to be name brand, then I will go to Dollar General or Dollar Tree to get it. For example, my dog doesn’t care what toy or treat she gets as long as she can have it. So getting cheap toys at yard sales or for $1 at Dollar Tree saves a lot. She destroys it in five minutes anyway!
8. I don’t buy home decor until after the season is over and it goes on clearance. I’ve put up my fall decor I got last year when fall went out of season and I love it! Same with Christmas. I have a lot of new Christmas items to put up this year because I got some on 75% – 90% off clearance in stores last year. It makes you that more excited for the next holiday. Auctions are a great place to find home decor for cheap too. You can spruce up an item that has been neglected by checking out HGTV or DIY Network websites. They have amazing ideas!
Those are some penny-pinchers I’ve done so far and I’m sure there are more I’m forgetting. The bottom line is you need to write down what you spend and cut out what you can live without. It’ll make it that much more enjoyable when you can afford to have it back. Make goals and plans to reduce that debt! Good luck!
Full-time + Part-time = Majority of Workers Today
So I work a standard 40 hour work-week just like any other person. Just like most Americans, it’s not enough to pay the bills and debts. I am single and live with my dog (who doesn’t pay rent) so obviously I need to find a way to keep my home. The ongoing trend is a part-time job or entrepreneurship. Late night/evening shifts at local retail stores for discounts has been the most popular I’ve seen. Wal*Mart gives employees a 10% discount on merchandise, which is good around Christmas time.
I chose being a business owner by offering a service to my small town area that is not offered: late night designated driving. It was a lot more work than I anticipated, but once I got all the licenses and paperwork completed, I was ready! Now before you go brainstorming your next big idea to become the next self-made millionaire, you need to realize that entrepreneurship requires up-front capital and a lot of patience. You aren’t going to profit overnight. With my business, it takes away personal expenses and the money I make from driving pays for them such as gas, car insurance, and vehicle maintanence. The downside is I have added more wear and tear on my vehicle plus I have other drivers I need to pay. If you plan on having employees, you MUST pay attention to the labor laws and fill out all paperwork with the IRS/state/city/county. Keep in contact with those officials to be sure you are abiding by all the rules.
One common part-time money maker I’ve seen lately is the at-home consultant. I have so many friends who sell Premier Jewelry, Mary Kay, Avon, Scentsy, Pampered Chef, and Taste of Home to name a few. I swear I’m going to a party every week! (I do admit I’ve hosted a few of these parties for freebies though). Makes me wonder if I should get into it for some added money as well. I did some research online and there are many companies that do the self-making consultant programs. Just pay for your kit and do the work yourself to make some extra income. I’d recommend using Facebook and Twitter as marketing tools. You won’t believe how easy it is to reach out to people on social networking sites.
So whether you are stocking shelves, brainstorming the next big business, or hosting a party at a friend’s house, it seems everyone is in need of extra money. Hang in there! Use that money to pay off debts and keep it off! You can do it!
I chose being a business owner by offering a service to my small town area that is not offered: late night designated driving. It was a lot more work than I anticipated, but once I got all the licenses and paperwork completed, I was ready! Now before you go brainstorming your next big idea to become the next self-made millionaire, you need to realize that entrepreneurship requires up-front capital and a lot of patience. You aren’t going to profit overnight. With my business, it takes away personal expenses and the money I make from driving pays for them such as gas, car insurance, and vehicle maintanence. The downside is I have added more wear and tear on my vehicle plus I have other drivers I need to pay. If you plan on having employees, you MUST pay attention to the labor laws and fill out all paperwork with the IRS/state/city/county. Keep in contact with those officials to be sure you are abiding by all the rules.
One common part-time money maker I’ve seen lately is the at-home consultant. I have so many friends who sell Premier Jewelry, Mary Kay, Avon, Scentsy, Pampered Chef, and Taste of Home to name a few. I swear I’m going to a party every week! (I do admit I’ve hosted a few of these parties for freebies though). Makes me wonder if I should get into it for some added money as well. I did some research online and there are many companies that do the self-making consultant programs. Just pay for your kit and do the work yourself to make some extra income. I’d recommend using Facebook and Twitter as marketing tools. You won’t believe how easy it is to reach out to people on social networking sites.
So whether you are stocking shelves, brainstorming the next big business, or hosting a party at a friend’s house, it seems everyone is in need of extra money. Hang in there! Use that money to pay off debts and keep it off! You can do it!
Coupons to the Rescue!
So I have seen so many articles on extreme couponing and how much money these people saved and it made me think. Can I do it? How is this done? Can I teach others?
First thing I did was grab the Sunday paper. I live in a small community so it’s limited to one in a 30 mile radius. If I were in a larger city, I could find more varieties. I clipped my little heart out for about two hours. Next thing I did was get online to www.coupons.com (great website) and found some coupons that interested me. So here I’ve got all these scraps of paper sitting on my big dining room table and now I think, “okay how do I get the ultimate savings?” Here’s something that helped: I have an envelope where I store all my coupons by expiration date. For those who are doing the extreme way, might want to invest in those recipe boxes that are alphabetized. Organization is the key with couponing.
Next, I looked through the week’s specials. It’s back to school time so naturally all the office supplies and snack foods are on sale. Find the coupons that match with the already reduced prices and BAM: huge savings. I went to Walgreens and got a can of shaving cream for $0.99! It was originally $3.99. It got reduced to $1.99 and I had a $1.00 off coupon. Toilet paper was another big item on sale there. A twelve pack of Cottonelle toilet paper was on sale for $4 and I had a $0.50 coupon. If I didn’t have such a limited budget, I would have found another coupon and gotten two or more. Toilet paper never spoils and you know you’ll need it so that’s a good item to keep stocking up on.
The key to couponing is organization. Open up a new email account just for coupons and special deals. Go to every major company’s website and sign up for deals to be sent to your coupon email account. While checking those emails, also look for coupons or online checkout codes to add on top of what’s on sale. At my work, I’ve included some coworkers to be couponers so we are working together. After I have gone through my coupons and picked out what I will use, I give the ones I do not plan on using to my coworkers. They do the same for me. With a group, you can find more savings.
Another good idea for couponing and savings are to sign up for mailing lists. Use that coupon email address for weekly specials to be sent to you. Most department stores are texting savings and specials directly to your phone so you’ll rush to them after work. Take advantage! As long as it’s free and informative, you might as well.
An alternative could be to build your savings account. Calculate how much you saved with ad matches, coupons, and even reduced prices then take that total amount out of your checking to be deposited into your savings account. Check on it after one month and be amazed at how much you have racked up! You won’t even realize it’s gone because you would have spent that much on the retail value of your product anyway. Now this is if you can afford to do that. I’m on a very tight budget and have very little wiggle room so at this moment, I cannot practice this savings building tip. When I can, I do though. Teach your kids at a young age about this tactic so they can build their savings before they learn how to spend freely.
Happy clipping!
First thing I did was grab the Sunday paper. I live in a small community so it’s limited to one in a 30 mile radius. If I were in a larger city, I could find more varieties. I clipped my little heart out for about two hours. Next thing I did was get online to www.coupons.com (great website) and found some coupons that interested me. So here I’ve got all these scraps of paper sitting on my big dining room table and now I think, “okay how do I get the ultimate savings?” Here’s something that helped: I have an envelope where I store all my coupons by expiration date. For those who are doing the extreme way, might want to invest in those recipe boxes that are alphabetized. Organization is the key with couponing.
Next, I looked through the week’s specials. It’s back to school time so naturally all the office supplies and snack foods are on sale. Find the coupons that match with the already reduced prices and BAM: huge savings. I went to Walgreens and got a can of shaving cream for $0.99! It was originally $3.99. It got reduced to $1.99 and I had a $1.00 off coupon. Toilet paper was another big item on sale there. A twelve pack of Cottonelle toilet paper was on sale for $4 and I had a $0.50 coupon. If I didn’t have such a limited budget, I would have found another coupon and gotten two or more. Toilet paper never spoils and you know you’ll need it so that’s a good item to keep stocking up on.
The key to couponing is organization. Open up a new email account just for coupons and special deals. Go to every major company’s website and sign up for deals to be sent to your coupon email account. While checking those emails, also look for coupons or online checkout codes to add on top of what’s on sale. At my work, I’ve included some coworkers to be couponers so we are working together. After I have gone through my coupons and picked out what I will use, I give the ones I do not plan on using to my coworkers. They do the same for me. With a group, you can find more savings.
Another good idea for couponing and savings are to sign up for mailing lists. Use that coupon email address for weekly specials to be sent to you. Most department stores are texting savings and specials directly to your phone so you’ll rush to them after work. Take advantage! As long as it’s free and informative, you might as well.
An alternative could be to build your savings account. Calculate how much you saved with ad matches, coupons, and even reduced prices then take that total amount out of your checking to be deposited into your savings account. Check on it after one month and be amazed at how much you have racked up! You won’t even realize it’s gone because you would have spent that much on the retail value of your product anyway. Now this is if you can afford to do that. I’m on a very tight budget and have very little wiggle room so at this moment, I cannot practice this savings building tip. When I can, I do though. Teach your kids at a young age about this tactic so they can build their savings before they learn how to spend freely.
Happy clipping!
Being Frugal with Food
Living single means not needing as many groceries. It can also mean going out to eat with your friends more often to cure the “lonely.” While this is a great emotional support, it’s not a financial one. Try having a night each week where your group of friends and you meet at someone’s house and everyone bring a covered dish while the host provides the main course. This will save you money and reconnect with your friends in a good way. The relationships you establish can last a lifetime. Just like a romantic relationship, you need to “spice up” your friendship. Have a game night with these dinners, Wii tournaments, or karaoke night and create memories that will last forever.
When making a grocery list, check online for coupons you can use on items that are on sale in advertisements. Toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, deodorant, and frozen items are the most common I’ve seen with coupons. Stock up! You never know when you are going to be short on cash and need those items. Set a fixed amount for your grocery budget and take cash from your checking account. Stay vigilant and do not use any more than the cash available to you. The one food I have been living on for years and can’t get enough of: Spaghetti. The noodles are cheap and so is the sauce. Peanut butter sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, cereal, canned veggies, and french fries are some other “budget friendly” foods that’ll fill you up. It’s a sacrifice, but worth it to stay on budget and save money.
When making a grocery list, check online for coupons you can use on items that are on sale in advertisements. Toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, deodorant, and frozen items are the most common I’ve seen with coupons. Stock up! You never know when you are going to be short on cash and need those items. Set a fixed amount for your grocery budget and take cash from your checking account. Stay vigilant and do not use any more than the cash available to you. The one food I have been living on for years and can’t get enough of: Spaghetti. The noodles are cheap and so is the sauce. Peanut butter sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, cereal, canned veggies, and french fries are some other “budget friendly” foods that’ll fill you up. It’s a sacrifice, but worth it to stay on budget and save money.
Budget Time!
It’s the first of the month. For most, that means many bills are due. What a great time to do a budget! There are many templates out there through finance websites and banks, but I find the most helpful way to do a budget is to write down all your expenses in a list of when they are due and figure out which paychecks will pay them. I always round down my usual paycheck amount so I am sure not to go over and get in the red. Sometimes that means it’s tight, but that’s what we have to do in order to survive. On www.frugalliving.about.com, I found a debt load worksheet to write down all my revolving and installment debts as well as APR rates, due dates, and minimum payment amount. This can help me decide which debts need to be paid down first to help reduce interest payments. Once paid off, I can either close them or see if I can get a better rate from the company.
I’m a card cutter as well. If I know I want to close a high interest card, I immediately cut it and forget I even have it (except that I pay each month). I’m the kind of person that needs to play tricks in order to keep me from over-spending. This is also why I have three checking accounts. I keep one that my parents are on in case I need to transfer or they need to transfer money, one for my main banking, and one for “vacation” saving. I’m thinking of opening a savings account at a small town bank down the street from my house so I can put a little in there every now and then without realizing that there’s money there. It’s the tricks I tell ya!
Since I get paid the 15th and the last day of the month, I do this process at least every two weeks, sometimes more. Situations always change and you need to adapt. I went to the hospital last week, so I need to adapt and adjust my budget to compensate for the prescription and copay.
Happy budgeting!
I’m a card cutter as well. If I know I want to close a high interest card, I immediately cut it and forget I even have it (except that I pay each month). I’m the kind of person that needs to play tricks in order to keep me from over-spending. This is also why I have three checking accounts. I keep one that my parents are on in case I need to transfer or they need to transfer money, one for my main banking, and one for “vacation” saving. I’m thinking of opening a savings account at a small town bank down the street from my house so I can put a little in there every now and then without realizing that there’s money there. It’s the tricks I tell ya!
Since I get paid the 15th and the last day of the month, I do this process at least every two weeks, sometimes more. Situations always change and you need to adapt. I went to the hospital last week, so I need to adapt and adjust my budget to compensate for the prescription and copay.
Happy budgeting!
Sweet Summertime
Summer is a great time to earn some extra cash. Whether it’s tending your elderly neighbor’s garden, washing cars, walking dogs, or being a designated driver for a local fair like I did. Last week was great for my business. I wore my custom $20 tee shirt to advertise around the beer garden as well as chatting up the id checkers. The key was exposure. With a radio ad(which wasn’t expensive at all), business cards flowing everywhere, my car magnet, and tee shirt that shrank three sizes from being washed every day, I was able to pull off a successful week. This week is now about catch-up. I found keeping a log of everything such as money in, employees time, and customer’s information helped me remember details about the day.
Gas prices continue to go up and with my business, it’s crucial. I kept one car at the fair so it isn’t wasting gas driving around town while the other was driving customers. Normally I have one main car that gets 30 miles to the gallon, while the other is for customer overflow. It’s important to keep a strategy when trying to save money, especially with the ups and downs of fuel prices.
Lawn care, on the other hand, can be effective not only for stress but for property value. I also read an article in Consumer Report Shop Smart that said a tended yard can also keep burglars away. It tells them that you have been home recently and will more than likely return. So don’t delay with the grass! Pulling weeds can help with frustrations as well as make your lawn look nice. There are many cost-effective yard improvements you can do such as getting shears for trimming bushes. I believe they are less than $5 and can do wonders for your home’s look. A good wash on the deck and siding couldn’t hurt either. Just use an old mop or wash by hand and you can make your curb appeal even better for less.
Summer also means extreme heat like we’ve been getting lately so don’t forget to drink plenty of water and take breaks when being outside. Pets are also at risk so please do not leave them out for long periods of time where there is no shade.
Gas prices continue to go up and with my business, it’s crucial. I kept one car at the fair so it isn’t wasting gas driving around town while the other was driving customers. Normally I have one main car that gets 30 miles to the gallon, while the other is for customer overflow. It’s important to keep a strategy when trying to save money, especially with the ups and downs of fuel prices.
Lawn care, on the other hand, can be effective not only for stress but for property value. I also read an article in Consumer Report Shop Smart that said a tended yard can also keep burglars away. It tells them that you have been home recently and will more than likely return. So don’t delay with the grass! Pulling weeds can help with frustrations as well as make your lawn look nice. There are many cost-effective yard improvements you can do such as getting shears for trimming bushes. I believe they are less than $5 and can do wonders for your home’s look. A good wash on the deck and siding couldn’t hurt either. Just use an old mop or wash by hand and you can make your curb appeal even better for less.
Summer also means extreme heat like we’ve been getting lately so don’t forget to drink plenty of water and take breaks when being outside. Pets are also at risk so please do not leave them out for long periods of time where there is no shade.
Hello World!
I thought I’d start by telling you a little bit about myself…
I’m 25 years old, single, and have been on my own for the past 8 years. In that time, I’ve worked multiple jobs at one time, went to college, taken breaks from college due to finances, been a coupon clipper, overdrawn checking accounts, lived off $0.25 for two weeks, and so much more. I’ve had so many experiences with living less than paycheck to paycheck that I wanted to share my experiences. Not sure who all will actually read it, but it’s worth a try.
In March of this year, I started a sober driving business in my small community. I’ve devoted my late nights and spare time to try to keep people from getting DWIs and have accidents because of alcohol. This week is our county fair and boy have I been busy! With all the advertising, promoting, and word-of-mouth, I’ve at least gotten to “break even” with this business. It has paid for gas, insurance, and payroll to those who help me and that’s about it. I can’t complain because I couldn’t pay for gas or insurance without this!
It seems many have gone to the entrepreneurship road because of the economy. One business I see most often in my small town in Missouri is lawn care or handy man work. With the way grass has been growing this summer, I don’t blame anyone who wants to start a lawn care business.
I bought my first home last year with a first time homebuyers loan and I love it! I’ve learned a lot about remodeling and have been researching cheap options to raise home value that I’d love to share. I would love to get into investment properties someday once I get my debt reduced and grow in the real estate world.
I’ve always been a “sky’s the limit” type of person. If I dream it, then I will do whatever I can to achieve it. It might take a while, but I know that when my father said I can do anything, he meant it.
Well that’s me in a nutshell. I’ll keep writing about things I’ve experienced in the past and present and hope it’s helpful!
I’m 25 years old, single, and have been on my own for the past 8 years. In that time, I’ve worked multiple jobs at one time, went to college, taken breaks from college due to finances, been a coupon clipper, overdrawn checking accounts, lived off $0.25 for two weeks, and so much more. I’ve had so many experiences with living less than paycheck to paycheck that I wanted to share my experiences. Not sure who all will actually read it, but it’s worth a try.
In March of this year, I started a sober driving business in my small community. I’ve devoted my late nights and spare time to try to keep people from getting DWIs and have accidents because of alcohol. This week is our county fair and boy have I been busy! With all the advertising, promoting, and word-of-mouth, I’ve at least gotten to “break even” with this business. It has paid for gas, insurance, and payroll to those who help me and that’s about it. I can’t complain because I couldn’t pay for gas or insurance without this!
It seems many have gone to the entrepreneurship road because of the economy. One business I see most often in my small town in Missouri is lawn care or handy man work. With the way grass has been growing this summer, I don’t blame anyone who wants to start a lawn care business.
I bought my first home last year with a first time homebuyers loan and I love it! I’ve learned a lot about remodeling and have been researching cheap options to raise home value that I’d love to share. I would love to get into investment properties someday once I get my debt reduced and grow in the real estate world.
I’ve always been a “sky’s the limit” type of person. If I dream it, then I will do whatever I can to achieve it. It might take a while, but I know that when my father said I can do anything, he meant it.
Well that’s me in a nutshell. I’ll keep writing about things I’ve experienced in the past and present and hope it’s helpful!
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