Budgeting

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After the year that we have just had, it is hardly a surprise that people are embarking upon 2021 with uncertainty and some amount of indecision. In a strictly metaphorical sense (for the moment, at least), the world has been knocked off of its axis and the coming year is one that will surely be hard to predict. If you feel like you didn’t get much done in 2020, then you’re not alone. The same is true of – probably – most of us. 

There’s some good news in that. On balance, most people would agree that simply making it through 2020 was achievement enough. At certain points in the year, you could have been forgiven for wondering if it would happen. In addition, for many of us the past year has been a reminder of the lack of true control we have in life, and an added incentive to take a look at the things we can control with a more critical eye. Now that we find ourselves in a new year, there is the chance for a new you: financially, personally and in a number of other ways.

Of course, it’s tricky to build for an uncertain future, and right now we’re still pretty uncertain about a lot. But you can get the basis of a plan together and look with hope to the future, and below are some ideas on how you can begin to do that.

Work-Life Balance

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Our emotional response to the pandemic and lockdown in 2020 went through the whole breadth of the palette, from fear to hope to horror to optimism and through all the other shades. At some stage, if you were furloughed from work, there’s a chance you felt relieved to be able to have some time at home; it’s a normal reaction given how many hours we spend commuting, working and talking about work in the average week.

For some of us, 2021 means still being furloughed, or worse, being without a job entirely. In the latter case, it is vitally important to make sure you are aware of any financial aid from which you may be able to benefit. Another round of stimulus checks seems to be around the corner, and there is also scope for finding new jobs in the response to the pandemic. You may also find yourself in a position where working from home is the norm, not the response to a crisis, and where you can choose your own hours.

Customer service, freelance writing, and online tutoring are all possibilities which can be explored, and they offer the opportunity to turn working from home into a business going forward.

Finances

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The last year has been seismic in terms of its impact on people’s finances. While sheltering in place, how you make money and how you use it have both been subject to change. Whether or not your household budget survived the year, it seems like now would be an ideal time to start making some in-depth changes to your financial outlook so that it is equipped to deal with the changed world.

One step that can work for you is refinancing your mortgage, especially if you have by now paid down a significant amount of the principal. A refinance will allow you to pay less per month, be paid off sooner, or to unlock some equity in your mortgage that allows you to make other much-needed adjustments. Either way, there are benefits to looking at your options.

Perhaps the wisest thing to do with any additional money – whether from a refinance or from work where you don’t have to commute – is to create a fund that you can dip into should things get urgent at any time. While things are in a state of flux, having a contingency fund is a sensible step to take.

Personal

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It has been very easy, in the recent past, to become the kind of person who absorbs. So much is going on, and it’s standard to sit, take it in and react to it. In the last year or so, many of us have been on the “absorb” setting more or less non-stop. 2020 was full of jokes and memes about how long the year seemed to go on, and now that 2021 is here, some people are referring to it as 2020: Season Two. 

It can be overwhelming, and it is certainly easy to be overcome by how much is happening, but in 2021 you have the chance to assert more of yourself, and there is no better way to do that than find a specific purpose. Devoting yourself to a purpose allows you to feel less like an extra in the ongoing psychodrama that is this world, and to become more of a recurring character. It gives you motivation and whether it’s doing more for charity, learning another language, or any other thing, it is an opportunity to change something, rather than watching change happen.

Many of us would admit we have become stuck in a rut, and in some ways that might have been the case even before the pandemic – but this new year can bring the impetus, and the global situation can offer the opportunity, to change things up for the better.

Educational

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You’re never too old to learn something new. There is no doubt that the world post-2020 is going to need to recover, and there is going to be an element of rebuilding required after so many businesses have fallen prey to the events of these tumultuous times. It is a crisis, and that’s a negative for sure, but every crisis holds within it the seeds of opportunity. To be ready for a world in which the message seems to be “let’s build back better”, it might be worth upskilling.

The world was already tilting towards a more online future, but 2020 has accelerated the pace of this change and it is going to be all the more vital from 2021 onwards. If you are looking for a way to be in the vanguard of change, increasing your tech-savviness will be a start. Learning how to do things like build an app, create online stores using SaaS platforms, or offer a service online that you used to do in the analog world, are all possibilities if you’re prepared to learn how. 

Increasingly, people are finding that the best way to learn is by doing. Sit down at your computer and download the platforms you need: the likes of Appy Pie are popular for app-building, Shopify and WooCommerce are used by many to build online stores, and Zoom has enjoyed a year of unforeseen publicity as people take their services online. There are plenty more platforms out there that will help you do whatever you want to do digitally, and if you have some spare time as a result of recent events, it can be productively used.

We’ve all lived through the kind of year which, while not exactly unprecedented, seemed to be the stuff of dystopian fantasy until it happened. It means a lot of us are looking at the world and ourselves in a different way. The chance to really change things, in a way that New Year resolutions never truly manage, is one that we can all take now. Think of a few things you really want to do – perhaps from the above list – and decide to make the future a better place for you and yours. Are you ready to take the first step?

Moving house can be one of the most stressful things we do in life. The packing seems endless and never-ending. The unpacking seems like a thankless task. But once you are in your lovely new home it appears that all will be forgotten. You settle into life in your new abode. But there are some things that people tend to forget during the moving process. Small little things that could cause you problems in the long term. With that in mind, here are some of them in the hope that when you move you can be organized. 

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Post Redirection

It’s a tough task remembering exactly who has your old address so that you can let them know your new one. The chances are you’ve taken care of the important immediate things like changing your electricity provider or noting your water meter reading. But what about those catalogs you receive? Or common statements for loyalty cards? Not all of us have a memory for everything that has your old address. So a great way is to add a redirection through your local postal service. This means that as things for your old address get redirected to your new one, you can change the addresses as you go along. 

Taking some time off

We don’t realise how stressful moving house is until we actually do it, so it might be worth booking some time off for spending it in your new place. This gives you a chance to get organised before normal life resumes. 

Your TV Subscriptions and aerials

Sometimes we don’t think about the TV in our new property until we come to start watching it. So it might be worth adding it to your list of things to do when you arrive. So that you don’t have any upset children or grumpy husbands because they can’t watch the football. To avoid any disappointment. Of course, you may be switching over your current provider, so that may be worth a call as well. 

Letting friends and family know the new address

In the hustle and bustle of moving, we can forget to let some friends and family know our new address. It’s easy to get side tracked. A great way is to send them perhaps a text message telling them the details. It happens, but try and add it to your list so that at some point you keep everyone in the loop. You may want to organize a housewarming which is another opportunity to inform everyone of your new address. 

Changing your driving license and IDs

A lot of people tend to forget about the address on their driving licenses. But if caught it could cost you a hefty fine. You can download a form off the internet and it is a simple thing to do. We just tend to forget to do it. While you are at it, you may want to check any other ID’s you have that may need a change. 

Let’s hope this guide will prompt you in the future. 

Saving money is something we should all prioritize. When we have savings put to one side, we can relax a little, knowing that any emergencies that might come up are covered. We can look forward to things because we know we can afford to pay for vacations, day trips, and other exciting events. Plus, there is the sense of accomplishment that saving gives us – when you look at your pot of money building up, bit by bit, you can be proud of what you’re doing. 

Yet saving isn’t easy. Or rather, it doesn’t always seem easy. The truth is that, once you get into some good habits and you understand more about how to save, it does present much less of a challenge. Read on for some useful tips in that regard; they will help you save money at home in easy ways that anyone can do, and once you get started you may even find your own ways to save more money – saving is a skill that will help you hugely throughout your life.  

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Have An Ongoing Shopping List

Going to the grocery store to stock up on your weekly shop can be a real chore. Not only is it a physical effort, but it’s also a mental one; you need to remember everything you need to buy, you need to be adding up as you go along (assuming you have a budget to stick to, which you should do if you want to save yourself money and not be shocked at the checkout). Plus, it’s very easy to spend money on things you don’t need, either because you don’t have a list, or because you see something on special offer that you then buy just in case you’ll need it, even if you actually could easily do without. You’ll be spending more money when you do this, but also producing more food waste because you won’t be able to use everything you buy. 

One of the best ways to get past these issues is to write a shopping list, but it shouldn’t be one that you quickly throw together when you know that you’re planning to go to the store because a rushed list is just as bad as no list at all, and plenty will be forgotten and missed out. Instead, you should make the list throughout the week. Pin a piece of paper to a noticeboard so that everyone in the household has access to it (or create a shared document online if you prefer). When you’re running low on something, write it down. When you know what meals are going to be cooked, note down the ingredients. In this way, the list will be complete and you know you don’t need to buy extra items. You’ll also have a good idea of how much you’ll need to spend before you get to the store. 

Drink Water 

Do you know how much you spend on beverages each week or month? When you add up all the money you spend on coffee, tea, and soft drinks, the figure could surprise you. Rather than spending this money, you can instead utilize the free water from your tap. Not only will this save you money, but it’s incredibly good for you; there is nothing like water to rehydrate and help keep you healthy. You can even take this beverage with you when you leave the house, and there are plenty of reusable bottles available online for that very purpose. 

If you do like to have some coffee or tea in the morning, try cutting down from your current intake. You’ll be able to make your money go further, plus, as above, it will be better for you. 

Look For Deals 

Although we mentioned that buying items just because they’re on sale, or you can get two for the price of one was a bad idea as it would lead to wastage, if the deal in question is linked to something you were going to buy anyway, it’s a good idea. When you’re in a store, keep a good lookout for signs and information that tell you about any deals going on, and if you can make use of that deal, do so (it’s even better if you can add up all your savings using a percent off calculator and then put what you would have spent into a savings account. You won’t miss the money because you were going to spend it anyway, and it will boost your savings nicely). 

You can also search online for deals if you’re making a one-off purchase. By taking the time up front to do this research, you’ll be able to find the best deal for you. This might not be the cheapest price, however; remember that you’ll need to factor shipping and any warranties and guarantees into the price too. Start with a list of the things that are most important to you, and find something within your budget that ticks as many of those boxes as possible. 

Borrow 

We’re not talking about borrowing money – that isn’t a good way to save at all, and will often have the opposite effect once you add in the interest charges and set up fees for some loans. Instead, we’re talking about borrowing items that you only need to use once, or very rarely, rather than buying them and wasting money. 

Take baking, for example. You might want to bake a big birthday cake for someone, and to do so you need specially shaped baking tins or ones that are larger than you have at home. Perhaps you need an icing set, or some scales, or any number of other products that you don’t have because this is not something you regularly do. Or what about decorating your home? You might need a wallpaper pasting table, or a nail gun, or some paintbrushes. All of these things are going to cost money, and if you only use them once (or very rarely), it seems like a waste. 

This is where borrowing can come in. If your friends or family members have the items you need, ask if you can borrow them. As long as you return them quickly, in good condition (and cleaned if need be) then this shouldn’t be a problem and it won’t cost you anything at all. Or you might reach out to the local community through social media; often there will be someone nearby who has what you need and will be willing to lend it to you, and even if you have to go and collect it, you’ll still be saving money.

If you really can’t find anyone to borrow from and you do need to buy the items, look for used deals that will save you money, and, once you’re done with the piece of equipment, you can sell it on. You might not make a profit, but you won’t lose quite so much money. 

Use A Lower Wash Temperature 

Doing laundry is important – no one wants to wear dirty clothes. Yet you might be able to make some changes to how you do things that will save you money and make your home more energy-efficient. One way to do this is to lower the temperature at which you’re washing your clothes. Washing machines will usually have different temperatures you can choose to use, but it might surprise you to find that clothes that are only slightly soiled can be washed on a cold wash and come out perfectly clean. This will save you a lot of money over a year, especially as you don’t need to separate the clothes into different colors – in a cold wash they can all be laundered together. 

Another idea is not to wash clothes quite so often. Many items of clothing, as long as they are clean to look at, can be worn at least two days in a row. Underwear is a different matter, but outerwear may not need to be washed quite as much as you think. 

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What if you could earn money doing everyday tasks like shopping and watching TV? Well, guess what – you can. There are apps and programs out there that can allow you to monetize practically any day-to-day task. This could allow you to generate a small passive income simply doing tasks you’d already usually do. Below are just a few everyday tasks that you can earn money from.

Shopping

For every dollar that you spend on groceries or clothing, it’s possible to make back money by taking advantage of cashback rewards. Many credit cards offer these rewards, giving you back a percentage of what you spend (providing that you keep on top of your credit card bills). There are also store loyalty programs and cashback sites that can allow you to accumulate points that can then be converted into cash. Sites like Checkout Saver are great for earning cashback rewards, while also offering access to coupons and discount gift cards. This could allow you to earn and save money on shopping. 

Searching the web

It’s also possible to earn money simply by making searches on Google. The likes of Qmee displays ads along with some of your searches – click on these ads and you’ll earn a few cents each time. Eventually, you could make a few dollars simply by clicking these ads every time you go to Google something. GigsDoneRight offers a few examples of other browser extensions like this (many of these extensions also allow you to earn extra money answering surveys – a way of potentially further supplementing your income).

Watching TV

You can even earn money watching TV. There are many ways to do this as listed here at DollarSprout. One option is to become a Netflix tagger – this allows you to get paid simply for watching shows and movies on Netflix and then attaching appropriate tags. Another option is to sign up to a site like Swagbucks that allows you to watch videos and rate them for cash. Some sites even pay you to simply watch videos.

Driving to work

There may be a way of making money out of your morning commute. If you often drive to work, consider whether it may be possible to earn extra money by picking up a passenger or goods en route. Using the likes of Lyft and Uber, it may be possible to pick someone up in the morning and drop them off somewhere without having to deviate from your morning route. There are also sites like Roadie that allow you to pick up goods and deliver them to customers while sticking to your usual route. It could be a way to earn extra money before you’ve even arrived at work. 

Exercising
A number of revolutionary fitness apps have also started allowing people to make money out of their fitness routines. If you regularly go for a morning jog, you could make money using apps like Sweatcoin – these allow you to earn Sweatcoins for every minute you workout, which can then be converted into real money. This could be a great way to motivate you to exercise more as well as helping you earn a little extra.

Are your finances getting in the way of your exquisite aesthetic? They don’t need to, as there are many ways to maintain your style without having to constantly worry about the depletion of your fashion fund. 

If you are hoping to look good and feel good in these trying times, here are some useful tips for when the going gets tough on you and your wallet. 

Accessorize 

Like the olive in the Martini and the lights on a Christmas tree, accessories can help to elevate your look to the next level, whilst staying both classy and inexpensive. 

• The value of a great belt – A beautiful belt can be cost efficient and tie your entire look together, sometimes literally. Whether you wear it for a statement, or a touch of subtle class, a belt can help revitalize your entire look.
• Hair accessories – A bow is simple, inexpensive and delicately glamourous. Investing in a bow can be a superb way of brightening up your style.
• Right down to the socks – Animal print or vibrantly colored socks are great for livening up your look, taking some time to see which colors work together with the rest of your outfit can work wonders when creating a fashion forward aesthetic. 

Self-Indulgence

Sometimes you might find yourself wanting to eat some truly decadent confectionary. Allowing yourself to indulge in some delicious food on occasion can leave you feeling fulfilled and elated. 

There’s no need to feel guilty if you let yourself enjoy some of the finer things from time to time, as after a hard year you deserve a present. You might want to check out a range of scrumptious chocolates from Dallmann if you want that precise flavor of class, without breaking the bank.

Exploring Your Color Palette

It is quite possible that exploring the color palette is something that gets overlooked. If you take some time find yourself a free online color palette, you can start to match up your existing outfits and find a new look altogether. 

One of the best parts to this is that it is completely free, and discovering the color that best suits you can help you hunt for those bargains with a renewed sense of direction. 

If you want to go down a reliable avenue, the color black is a tried and tested provider of classic style. 

Whatever the Weather

Even if you are simply popping out for a walk or to grocery store, taking the time to apply some lipstick is a great way of building confidence and allowing yourself to feel classy, no matter the situation, whatever the weather. 

Living with Confidence

Feeling confident is a sought-after trait for many, as it helps to navigate daily routines with candor and satisfaction. Once you begin to bear in mind the option of staying classy whilst being able to save money, you might find that you do not have to worry about the unwanted strain of financial turbulence. 

Recognizing your strengths as an individual is a fantastic way to start nurturing that ever important feeling of self-confidence.

College is expensive, there’s no denying that. However, it’s also undeniable that a college education is extremely beneficial for your future. It boosts your job prospects and earning potential, plus is even correlated with better health and wellbeing. This makes it well worth the investment. Luckily, there are ways to help reduce the financial burden of going to university, so that you can graduate without finding yourself drowning in debt. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

Check if you’re eligible for financial aid

Grants to help cover the cost of college are available at both the state and federal government level, as well as from colleges themselves. These grants do not have to be paid back and are usually awarded based on your financial need—in other words, the income level you declared on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. There are also special aid programs available for you if you come from a military family, or if you are studying certain subjects. For example, there are specific grants for those training to be teachers. It’s worth looking into what’s available early on, to give you a better idea of how much you can get and what you will have to cover yourself.

Apply for scholarships

Scholarships are another source of funding that does not have to be paid back. There is a huge variety available, and they can be awarded on the basis of all sorts of different criteria. For instance, there are scholarships for academic excellence, volleyball scholarships, and other sports awards, arts scholarships, and ones that are awarded based on financial need. There are also scholarships only for women, scholarships for those from an ethnic minority background, scholarships for students studying certain underrepresented subjects, and scholarships for people who live in certain areas. Set aside some time to research what’s available—you might be pleasantly surprised at what you can apply for!

Get a part-time job

If you are not lucky enough to land a scholarship, one option is to work whilst you study. Colleges usually have a number of part-time jobs available for students on campus, to help you earn some extra money without impacting too much on your studies. Remember not to take on too many hours, to ensure you can keep up with your schoolwork. If you’re an international student, you will need to check whether your visa allows you to work in the US and if so, where and for how many hours a week.

Lower your costs

If you’d rather not work at college, another possibility is to look at where you can potentially cut down on your spending. For example, you could buy second-hand textbooks instead of new ones, set a budget for food and nights out, and keep a close eye on your spending. Be sure to take advantage of your student discount too—this can save you lots of money on items such as clothes, travel, and computer equipment. Don’t worry, the more that you practice saving, the easier it will become!

Commuting can be an absolute nightmare, but a lot of it has to do with the method you’re using. A car may seem like the only and best option, but often, it’s inefficient and costly. On the other hand, you could get around with a scooter and do most of what you do with your car without the price tag. There are also tons of additional perks to owning a scooter that you may not be aware of. Let’s take a look at why switching to a scooter might be the best decision you’ve ever made.

It’s Cheaper

You will save in tons of ways when you’re buying a scooter – they’re cheaper to buy, they can get you anywhere in the city for a fraction of the cost, and filling a tank costs close to nothing. There’s also less to pay for insurance and maintenance, and parts are much cheaper too.

You can easily find a scooter for under £2,000, but expect to pay around £3,000 to £3,500 for a quality unit that will be performant and last a long time. If you want to check out a few models, we suggest you check out bmgscooters.com. Going with a supplier with a large selection is always better if you want to find a scooter that will fit your needs.

Taxes

Another reason why scooters are so great for the budget-conscious is that there will be less tax to pay. A lot of people will assume that buying a cheap older vehicle is a great way to save, but you’ll usually be taxed heavily and pay hundreds of pounds at the end of the year. 

Scooters, on the other hand, are taxed based on engine size. Anything between 50cc and 125cc will be taxed at the same rate, and you’ll only have to pay a measly £19 per year.

MOTs

You’ll also be able to save on MOTs when you buy a scooter. A scooter MOT will only cost you £24.99 for a vehicle under 200cc. For a car or a bike with a larger engine, this can go up to £54.85, so that’s a significant difference.

Good for the Environment

The benefits of riding a scooter are not just economic. They also produce much fewer emissions than other vehicles. This can go even lower if you decide to go for an electric scooter. 

A car and a moped will have a significantly different fuel consumption over the same distance, and you often don’t need to carry all that extra weight simply to go from point A to point B. If most of what you travel is short distances and you’re solo, choosing a scooter is a much better option if emissions are a concern for you.

So, if you were on the fence about buying a scooter or have recently thought of the idea, we suggest you give them a closer look. They could help you get to wherever you want cheaper, and often faster.