One of the major things that often holds people back from making the changes they want to make to their home is the amount of money it might cost. That’s not something you should let stop you from getting your home in the shape you’d like it to be in though. When money’s tight, improving your home is tougher, but it can be done. Here are some ways to save money but still achieve the outcomes that are important to you, so read on to find out more.
Balance Your Use of Materials
Buying the materials you need to carry out your home improvement plans is one of the things that can turn out to be most expensive by the time everything’s concluded. You should keep this in mind and maybe make a few compromises in areas where you can afford to in order to balance the quality and, therefore, the costs of the materials you ultimately purchase.
Fund the Changes By Selling What You Want to Get Rid Of
For many people, carrying out big home improvement plans also involves having a clear out of the home and making more space. If that’s what you plan to do, you should use the opportunity to sell a few of the things that you no longer need and fund your plans that way. It could make a big difference.
Take Your Time
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to rush your way through this whole process. In many instances, taking your time and moving a little more slowly can be majorly beneficial. That’s because it should allow you to spread out the costs, and that’s great as long as you don’t live alongside a project that’s a work in progress for a while.
It’s often the case that you can find bespoke financing options that’ll help you cover the cost of the changes you’re looking to make. For some people, this can be the best way forward, especially if the money problems that are holding you back are more about short-term cash flow. Things like plumber financing are pretty common nowadays, and the same applies to many other home improvement niches.
Improve Your DIY Skills
If you’re not someone who’s ever been particularly skilled when it comes to DIY, maybe now is the perfect time to change that. By improving your DIY skills a little, you can carry out a lot of the work that needs to be done yourself, meaning you don’t have to rely on paying huge fees to hire other people who can do that work on your behalf. It’s a great way to cut your costs.
Carrying out your desired home improvements isn’t always easy, but if you get creative and you’re willing to make some adaptations, it’s usually possible to get it done on a budget. But don’t overstretch yourself or put your finances in peril for the sake of a few changes to your home.
When you hear the word investing it can seem daunting. What has long been something for large banking corporations managing money has now evolved so anyone can invest. No matter the size of your bank account or the budget you are looking to spend, there are many ways you can invest your money. If you are just beginning to invest, it is a good idea to start small until you get the hang of it. A common misconception is that you need a large amount of money to begin with, when in reality you can start with as little as $20 upwards! Just because you don’t put a huge amount down doesn’t mean you won’t reap in large returns – you could be surprised as to how much you can potentially make.
There are so many reasons to invest your funds. Investing can provide you with an extra source of income that can be used for everything from funding your retirement to paying off any debts you might have or even taking that vacation you have always dreamt of. You may have recently come into some additional money and be looking for ways to make it go further, or investing may be something you’ve always wondered about. Whichever it is, investing will allow your money to work for you and hopefully grow as time goes on.
Things to consider before investing
It is important to remember the volatility of markets – some of which are more volatile than others – and be aware that there are risks involved alongside the potential gains. Significant events such as recessions can have a drastic impact on certain investments, but others will likely fluctuate steadily over time. If you are looking to invest money for a long-term goal and it will therefore be in investments for longer, it’s important to do your research and find somewhere it should earn more.
You need to consider the right time to invest and if you have debts such as on credit cards, to pay these (or at least the majority) off with your money before investing it. Think about your reason for investing and the level of risk you are willing to take. If you will need your money soon it is better to invest in a less risky choice. If you don’t need your money in the near future, you can take a moderate risk and are likely to generate a bigger ROI. If you are able to take a risk with your money – perhaps you won’t need it for a long while or don’t mind a higher risk factor if it means higher potential returns – then growth should be your aim. Be sure to take into account your age, your life plans, and the time before you will need the money before deciding on the investment you want to go ahead with. Remember you could split your money over multiple investments too.
Top ways to invest your money this year
High Yield Savings Accounts
This is one of the lowest risk investments and has much fewer overhead costs than other investments. With a high-interest rate, they allow your money to grow quicker than a traditional savings account and are useful if you will need your money fairly soon. As long as the account is opened in a legitimate bank that has FDIC insurance there is no risk of losing your capital.
A health savings account
Another way to invest is through a health savings account. After all, if you’re going to invest, healthcare should be one of the top items on your list. An HSA is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to those who are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan and means your funds aren’t subject to federal income when you deposit them. An HSA usually begins as a cash account similar to a savings account, however, when you have accrued a certain amount, you can change it to an investment account.
Investing in property
With the demand for rental properties only continuing to grow, there has never been a better time to invest in real estate. Do your research carefully and consider factors such as ROI, location, maintenance costs, and deposit needed before you dive in with a real estate investment, including advice from professionals including David Ebrahimzadeh. Real estate investments, when done correctly, can be a highly profitable venture with minimal financial risk. Giving investors financial control over property streams of income. Including how much rent you charge and can keep it in line with inflation ensuring you don’t lose out. It can help you pay off your mortgage and is a steady passive income stream.
Certificates of Deposit
A certificate of deposit is a time-bound deposit whereby you get a higher interest rate than a normal bank account, but in exchange you let the bank use your money for a set period of time. Once this matures, you get your original principal back as well as any interest. Being a safe option with a relatively high payout rate, it is a good choice for those who have retired or who don’t mind waiting a bit for their money. The time for a CD to reach maturity can be months or years and if you want to get your money sooner it usually comes with a penalty fine.
Dividend Stock Funds
Dividend stock funds are a good choice for intermediate and advanced investors as they do come with risk but also pay a higher yield. Dividends are portions of a company’s profit that are paid out usually on a quarterly basis, but this can differ, to shareholders. As an investor, you can earn both short terms and also through long-term market appreciation. It’s important to realize that a higher stock price correlates to a higher dividend yield. The more a stock price increases with dividend yield, the more the dividend yield actually decreases – despite what you would imagine.
These are just some of the top tips for investing and where you should invest your money this year. Be sure to do your research and find the right investment opportunity for you.
Please note, this post is being sponsored by Diamond Bloggers. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
Most of us remember the days when journalists held the key to a company’s earned publicity. Companies hired PR personnel to cultivate relationships with journalists and land coveted print and communication placements. Because with influencers growing purchasing behavior, they have become the gatekeepers to your audience. Which is why build strong relationships with online influencers are key.
As a blogger myself I know this first-hand how intricate the working blogger to PR relationship can be. If you too are looking for 5 ways your PR agency or company can reach out and better work with bloggers this year:
Bloggers know your audience
Bloggers understand the age, gender, location, interests, hobbies, and desires of your audience. These are the people you want to target your audience. They are the pulse of current social trends. Make sure to do your homework and work with bloggers who themselves fit the dynamic you are looking for in a potential online customer.
A great way to ensure a perfect blogger fit is by asking to see their lifestyle pr or cultivated media kit. The working tally of their readership’s demographic data, reach, analytics, and post sponsored work. Bloggers love sharing their portfolios and many even list them directly in their about me or disclosure section of their blogs. Never be afraid to ask to see their kits before working together!
You need to know what your offering to bloggers
Before reaching out to bloggers it’s best to have already determined what it is that you want to offer the blogger in exchange for them to do a blog post on your company or what shared information you are looking for on their social channels.
You may be thinking that a compelling interview, interesting infographic, and entertaining video would be enough. This is not the case. Bloggers should be provided with a sample of your product or service, a giveaway that they can share with their readers, and monetary compensation. Or a mix of all three. You’re looking for a total figure equals to a blogger’s current rate of promotion.
Also making sure to never ask bloggers to recommend services and products they themselves have never experienced, sampled, or used in their homes or businesses. It’s disingenuous. To your business and our readership’s time and money, respectfully.
Bloggers require funding for publicity and PR agencies and businesses to utilize their platforms. Writing to bloggers stating that “we don’t have the budget for that at this time,” is just in poor taste. It’s manipulation. When the brevity of the situation is that you don’t want to budget blogger fees in your current business plan because you’re seeking free publicity.
Bloggers may not openly say this, but they all think it: That it’s not a blogger’s responsibility to help you meet your budgets. To offer you free publicity at the expense of their own time, income, and platform. Unless you can compensate bloggers for their time, don’t reach out at all.
After all, we are not journalists. Blogging is our livelihood. Our time, value, and worth is far greater than earned publicity. Would you work for acknowledgments? Neither should we.
You might need to audit your current Blogger relationships
Do you have any current blogger relationships? If so, make sure you are checking in with your bloggers quarterly. Feel free to ask them what they want to hear about from your company and what would make a compelling blog post. Also, ask them to recommend other blogger friends that might be interested in learning about your brand.
You need to take time to build your own lists
Blogger outreach is a time investment. Especially if you are manually researching and building lists of the bloggers you are going to contact. It’s worth investing time in finding relevant bloggers in your specific niche. Social media is a great place to start, as hashtags can help you narrow down your search greatly online. Once you’ve found your bloggers, spend some time developing your own list as to why these bloggers will want to work with your company. This will help you better pitch bloggers.
You need to learn what Bloggers want
Bloggers, like people, want personalized attention. Before reach out to them get an idea of their specific interests, needs, and life circumstances. Bloggers about me section will be a goldmine for you in this area. When it comes time to contact them, tailor, and personalize your pitch. Making sure to address them by name. I can personally attest that generic pitches are often deleted in my own business inbox.
Bloggers have come to expect one-on-one professionalism. We expect to be pitched with offers tailored to our blogs and for sponsorships we can adequately and reasonably promote.
A great first step is to directly introduce yourself via email, say hello through direct social media messaging, and be accessible in the days to come. Allow bloggers time to respond to you before circling back around with errant pitches. It also goes without saying that a please and thank you will take you far in life. Especially with bloggers.
A nice touch might be sending them a thoughtful email, handwritten letter, or even a discount code so they can continue using your product or service. I cannot tell you how much of a letdown it is to finish a post, gift guide, or media scheduling onto to hear crickets from PR agencies or agents. It’s tantamount to usury. Blogging is nothing but a symbiotic relationship.
This is why keeping in contact with bloggers and influencers is a great strategy for future blogger outreach campaigns. Don’t make it a one-and-done project. Touch base. Schmooze. Be a helpful resource for topics they are interested in, and maintain ongoing partnerships this year. Bloggers will work harder when they feel they are in a relationship with businesses and agencies.
Now I want to ask, what do you think has been your greatest misconception about working with bloggers from a PR perspective? I’d love to hear about it below!
Buying a gift for someone you love should be exciting. It shouldn’t feel like a chore. However, when money is tight, it can often feel that way. There is no need to fret, though, as we have put together this guide to give you a helping hand. Read on to discover more about some of the different things you can do to reduce your spending on gifts without reducing the quality of the presents you give to others. There are plenty of different ways you can make savings, it is purely about taking advantage of them.
Make the most of discount codes and coupons
There is only one place to begin when it comes to making savings on gifts, and this is by taking advantage of the different discount codes and coupons that are available today. Whenever you purchase something online, do a quick search to see if there are any savings available. Most of the time, you will be able to come across some sort of coupon. There are even browser add-ons that will automatically apply coupons for you so that you do not have to go through the hassle of manually searching for them yourself.
Send flowers to people you love
Another way to save money is by sending flowers. If you send flowers to someone, you do not have to worry about wrapping the gift yourself and then posting it to the destination. Instead, the local florist will take care of everything for you. Plus, you can sometimes add a card and even some chocolates to the order as well. It is a convenient and cost-effective way to surprise someone you love.
Plan all of your purchases
Another way to make sure you do not run out of money when it comes to gift buying is by planning your purchases. Get yourself a trusted calendar and mark out all of the people you are going to be buying for throughout the year. You can then assign every gift a budget. This will enable you to figure out how much you are going to spend on gifts throughout the year so that you can budget effectively. One thing you can do is assign a portion of your monthly budget to gifts. For example, you could put $20 or $30 from your wage packet away every month into a pot for gift buying.
Don’t feel like you have to buy gifts
Finally, if you do not have any money and you cannot afford to buy someone a gift, don’t feel obliged. We’re sure your loved one wouldn’t want you to get yourself in financial trouble for the sake of a birthday present!
So there you have it: some of the different approaches that you can use in order to reduce the amount of money you spend on gifts. From using discount codes to planning your purchases, there are plenty of different options these days. It is all about having a little bit of forethought; this will go a very long way.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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!
