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Why Switching to a Scooter Might be the Best Decision You’ve Ever Made

yellow motor scooter parked near white garage door

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.

Going Grocery shopping? 4 Tips That Can Help

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For most families, budgeting for groceries comes first before buying healthy food. With the rising economic costs, it is more difficult to buy ingredients for a solid meal. Fortunately, there are better ways to nourish your family on a budget.

A great trick that works for many is following brands on social media accounts. By doing so, you will always be aware of discounts and deals available that you can take advantage of to stock up your pantry and freezer.

It is also good to plant some veggies in your garden to lift the burden of buying them from the store, which can liberate your finances. Things to grow include tomatoes, baby spinach, asparagus, lettuce, carrots, and many others.

To save money and eat healthier, you should start eating less at restaurants and cook meals at home. This way, you will have more discipline on what you eat by identifying cheap but better foods you can cook.

Grocery shopping can be a tiresome experience that involves planning and budgeting if you want to eat right. There is so much consideration, but no need to worry because this article highlights the best yet simple ways to plan and shop for your groceries. Here are a few.

Research Stores

If you want to follow a diet, you need to go the extra mile by researching different stores. Exploring in advance has a lot of benefits. For one, you can identify a store that has all the products you want to buy.

Most stores have online catalogs that display what is available.

 By using these catalogs, you can identify a store with all the items you need, which means you will make one trip to the store depending on how often you do grocery shopping. Additionally, you can save gas and time by not hopping  from one store to another.

Have a Running List and Budget

It is always good to have a running list that you can use to shop for groceries at any time. Having a running grocery list means updating the list whenever you run out of something. Such lists are kept on the fridge to make it easy to jot something down immediately after it empties.

Today, there are high-end grocery apps that people use to keep track of what to buy. Such apps allow you to create spreadsheets that serve as checklists you can use when shopping for groceries. They also allow you to budget by summing up the total and comparing products from different stores.

Plan for Your Menu

It would help if you always had a menu to make it easy to buy what you need. If you are watching your calorie intake in order to lose weight, you should highlight ingredients to buy to achieve healthy eating. If you have kids, it’s advisable to create a kid-friendly menu that can boost their health and growth. If eating healthier doesn’t help with weight loss, you should consider effective weight loss treatments.

By planning a week’s menu, it can save you time, especially if you will have a busy week at work. You can start by identifying easy meals to have for breakfast to avoid getting late for work. You will probably come home late and fatigued, so it would be best if you also laid down quick evening meals you can make.

Lastly, it would be best if you plan menus for special occasions and holidays. Jot down what to make for special events such as baby showers, birthday parties, and many others. This way, you can know what to get and where to get it from.

Shop During Off-peak Hours and Seasons

You can avoid waiting in long queues at the store or have difficulty finding a parking spot by shopping during off-peak hours and seasons. By off-peak hours, it means shopping during the day or late in the night. Many people will be busy working during the day, which means less crowded stores.

It would also be best not to shop in the afternoon as many people leave their jobs around that time. Additionally, you should shop during off-peak seasons. That is, if a holiday is coming up, ensure to shop for groceries early. By this, you can escape having to wait in long queues to pay for your items. Holidays to look out for are thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s since most people spend them with their families, which means cooking family dinner meals.

By using the above tips, you are guaranteed a comfortable and healthier shopping experience. Other than that, it can save you time when the above guidelines become your routine.

5 Christmas Shopping Tips During Covid-19

Celebrating Christmas is an age-old tradition. Many families worldwide are always looking forward to sharing gifts and Christmas dinner while catching up with their loved ones. But this year’s festive season, like everything else, will be very different. With a highly infectious virus ravaging communities and families, the winter holidays will be the strangest in our lifetime. From restrictions on social gatherings to stretched finances and a contagious virus ominously hanging in the air, our hands will be full this Christmas.

Christmas shopping this year will come with an added sense of oddity. The finances are stretched, with millions of people unemployed. The malls and stores have restrictive protocols, while traveling is discouraged. However, shopping will add a sense of merry to your festive season despite the doom and gloom. The following tips will help you steer these unprecedented times and get the best gifts and food for your loved ones:

Work with a Realistic Budget

With stretched finances, it would be unwise to go Christmas shopping without a budget. Draw a flexible budget that reflects your financial situation. Rank items on your shopping list based on priority. Whether you opt for online or in-store shopping, carry the list with you. It would be prudent to stick to the list and tick every item once you purchase it. A pragmatic budget will ensure that you don’t run the risk of struggling because you spent all your money during the festive winter season.

Get all the Help you Need

This Christmas is not ideal for putting on an invincibility cloak. Get everyone on board and let them help you out wherever possible. Let the little siblings, partner, or loved ones contribute, morally and financially, to add to the Christmas cheer. Always seek professional help whenever possible to ease your worries and enjoy the holidays. Call a top-rated personal injury lawyer in case of accidents or injuries.

Shop Around for the Best Deals

Christmas season is incomplete without those enticing deals, coupons, and discounts offered by grocery stores and shopping malls. Avoid the impulse of buying items from the first online or grocery store you visit. If you are online shopping, you have the added advantage of going through thousands of items from the comfort of your home before making the purchase. Compare the prices and quality and ask for discounts and special deals. Use those coupons and save some extra dollars.

Shop Whenever Possible

The risk of coronavirus cannot be entirely be eliminated. We have to find a way of going around our daily activities, including Christmas shopping, despite the threat of infection. Online shopping offers you the opportunity to get the best gifts and items for the festive season with little health risk. However, order early to avoid the last-minute rush and the danger of receiving your items in January.

Consider Cash Payments

Paying with cash reduces the risk of impulse buying. Credit cards give a sense of financial security even though your bank account does not back up such confidence.

Christmas shopping is an integral part of the winter holiday celebrations. Find ways to save money by buying discounted items and realistic budgeting. Use coupons to save more money as you enjoy the Christmas cheer.   

Health Expenses: How Can I Save Effectively

Health expenses are an absolute necessity. Both as short term needs and long term preventatives, spending on health is something you cannot avoid. But often these bills will add up, especially if you have children to take care of too. Or, as you get older, dependent parents. Finding the most cost-effective way of dealing with health expenses can be a difficult and long job. Luckily, these tips should help. 

1. Find quality providers.

When you have to pay for healthcare, it is important you are getting the best quality. Paying for a poor service is a waste of money. 

Consider the dentist: you might find yourself paying the same amount for an appointment with a dentist who doesn’t work in preventative health as much as another. In the long term, you will obtain better oral health with one than another, despite both costing the same. 

Though you may cut costs in the short term by going with a less expensive but poorer quality dentist, you will save money by spending that bit extra, but not running into higher fixing costs later. 

2. Consider Prescriptions Carefully.

One of the most frequent health expenses comes from prescriptions. Yet many prescriptions are necessary for life, so cannot be cut out. But the way you receive your prescription can be changed to help reduce costs. 

If you are receiving a branded prescription, do some research to find out whether the generic version is just as good. Generic prescription drugs are much cheaper than branded versions and often work just as well. 

Similarly, the amount you receive can affect costs. Often, a long term prescription batch (such as a ninety-day prescription) can cost less than a shorter-term prescription (30-day prescription). There is an opportunity to save money this way. 

3. Choose Insurance Providers Wisely.

Taking out health insurance is definitely smart, especially for families with large health costs. But health insurance is a costly investment and needs to be treated with care. 

Make sure to research the insurance providers you are considering. What do they cover? How does this align with your needs? 

It’s important to choose with a buffer in mind. Yes, you may be aware of the kind of health costs you expect to have, but there is always the chance of the unexpected. Accidents happen – and cost a lot. You need to choose your insurance provider with this in mind; otherwise, you may end up with even more costs than you were paying previous to having an insurance provider. 

Health expenses can seem overwhelmingly large sometimes, but they are key to managing a succinct budget. Being cost-effective in your choices is key, but being smart is arguably better. Health isn’t something you want to take lightly – spending a little more in this area is often a good thing to consider. You don’t want to play with health when it can literally be the boundary between life and death. However, if you don’t need to overspend, why do it?

5 Ways To Save When Renting Your Next Apartment

Please note, this post is sponsored by Diamond Links. Thank you.

It’s official, 2020 is almost over. But before the holiday season, other important goals must be met. Including moving to your next apartment, and giving your new space an intense clean. Personally, I love the idea of cleaning up many facets of my life each Spring season. And not just the proverbial sprucing up of the interior of my home but the location of my home too!

Fall is arguably the best season when it comes to the new rentals this season. And I should know. As all of my best leasing opportunities have always occurred during the Fall of the year. 

So if you too have the wanderlust for a new local, here are 5 ways to maximize your chances of moving into your new home:

gray steel 3-door refrigerator near modular kitchen

1. Be decisive

With so much economic upheaval the nation over, apartment space is at a premium. Making this a landlord’s market, for sure. But just because it’s a seller’s market doesn’t mean renters are seeking to wait exasperatingly long periods of time to entertain applicant selection this season. 

It’s also a buyers market. Which is why many homeowners are preferring to rent and not sell properties. Making them more likely to offer amenities, utility inclusion, application fee waiving, and even impromptu showings. As for cleaning, schedule disruption, and child and pet care arrangements that need to be made to accommodate potential renters.

According to ApartSEO, renters can save money by looking for new advertisements on social media networks including Facebook Marketplace. Where agents can be directly contacted, potential buyers profiles can be combed through, and, on occasion, rental fees can be negotiated.

Making it essential to be properly prepared to rent your next space this season. Including a copy of your credit report, explanations for a previous apartment/leasing-related offenses, pet disclosures, application fee money orders, and having your first and last month’s rent on-hand. Fall is not the season for hesitating when it comes to making housing offers. As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold.

2. Inventory can be an issue

When it comes to renting your next space, timing is key. As the most coveted leasing properties, in the best of neighborhoods and school districts, have been on a decline since 2016 and the trend will continue this season. According to Zillow, rentable inventory declined by 10.5% in the past 12 months

With fewer homes being available for rental, now is the season to reassess your actual square footage needs. Gone are the days of living in McMansions and ethical, smaller footprint homes are all the rage. Which makes knowing how large a home you actually need a great asset to buyers as smaller homes will be easier to acquire at an affordable price than homes larger than 2,000 square feet in size according to Zumper and Apartments.com. As landlords and leasing agents will raise the price of rent to cover the cost of land, skilled labor, building material, lack of buildable space, density rates, and advertising costs.

2. Prepare for disappointment

In a competitive market, it’s likely that there will be several applicants for each rentable space. With bidding wars becoming the new norm for many renters. Because unless you’re an applicant with impeccable credit and renting history, you face the very real possibility of not securing your rental of choice.

One way to lessen the blow of renters’ disappointment? Accept beforehand that this may be your renter’s outcome. It’s tough when you’ve fallen in love with a location, but it happens. Always be realistic about renting. As what you love about a particular apartment is also likely to also beloved by dozens of other prospective renters as well.

3. Know your budget

The best way to prevent the apartment of your dreams from slipping away is to be able to build strong offers for leasing agents.

Generally speaking, you should allocate no more than 30% of your gross monthly income. So, if you gross $5,000 per month, the max you should be paying for housing costs, including rent, is $1,500.

Knowing the exact amount of wiggle room in your budget will allow you to avoid having your budget-tight low-ball immediately rejected in this seller’s market. Because with multiple rental applications potentially on the table, agents and landlords are less inclined to play games with renters. Sometimes you just have to leverage your dream against your instinct to frugally haggle your way to your next home.

4. Be realistic

If there was ever a time to be financially realistic, it’s during a pandemic. Again, national home prices have climbed for 23 consecutive months. And the trend of high-value property rentals will also continue. Experts say prices will continue to increase in 2021. For some people, the uncertainty of the current market combined with rising prices may make renting more prudent in your area than buying. Knowing your personal rent versus buy equation could tilt toward renting in costly markets. Making you a more sought-after renter. 

5. Get Pre-Approved

Because landlords live in the real world they know the world is full of unknowns, and have no idea about your income, credit score, or debt to income ratio. In this seller’s market, being a pre-approved renter, by way of your individual leasing agent’s requirements, will give you a leg-up in renting your next property. Reassure agents that you are are a qualified, serious renter.

All-in-all, remember that Fall is kicking up its heels making now the perfect time to start figuring out how you can best afford to buy your next home this season! But if you follow the tips outlined above, the only thing you’ll have to worry about when summer comes are tan lines and garden gatherings.

Now, friends, I want to ask, are you looking to relocate or rent your next home this season? Share your journey below! 

Money Tips to Make That Trip of a Lifetime More Affordable

Whether you love to travel or you only occasionally go away, most people have one place that they really want to visit. If it’s somewhere close to home or easy to visit, you might have already ticked it off your bucket list. But sometimes you have that one trip of a lifetime that’s not so easy to accomplish. That might be because the destination is far away, you want to hit multiple locations at once or travel for longer, or just because you have expensive dreams. Instead of just fantasizing about your dream trip, why not actually work to make it a reality? If money is what’s making it seem out of reach, there are ways to make your trip more affordable.

Consider How to Fund Your Trip

The first thing to think about with a trip of this nature is how you’re going to fund it. It’s usually the sort of thing that you save up for, at least in part. You might spend months or even years saving for the trip that you want to go on. The best way to save for something is to set a goal and make sure you’re steadily putting aside money toward it. You might have a certain amount of money each month that you put in your travel fund. Alternatively, you might just save whatever you have leftover at the end of the month or any money that you happen to have available to save at random intervals.

Savings should probably fund the bulk of your trip, but you might also consider other ways to pay for it. Maybe you don’t want to wait until you’re able to save up, especially if it’s going to take a few years. You could get financial freedom with Wise Loan or a similar service for finding the right loan. Taking out a loan means you can spread the cost of your trip, instead of having to save up first. Another way to pay off some or all of your trip later is to use a credit card. You can put some of your expenses on your card and pay for it later. Of course, if you borrow any money, you need to make sure that you’re going to be able to repay it, plus any interest.

Look for Deals on Flights and Transport

Flights can be one of the most expensive parts of planning a big trip. If you’re looking at long-haul flights, you might be spending a lot of money just to get to and from where you’re going. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save money on the flights that you need. Firstly, you can try to book at the right time. Booking too far away or too close to the dates that you want to fly could mean that you pay more. However, you can sometimes get last-minute deals by booking closer to your departure date. When you’re searching for flights, consider different routes that you can take, including alternatives to major airports and layovers.

You can save on other forms of transport too. Maybe your dream trip is by train. In many countries, you could save by getting a ticket or pass that lasts for several weeks or months, or takes you along certain routes. For example, if you’re traveling in Europe, you could get some good deals from EuroRail. Maybe your trip of a lifetime is a road trip, and you need to find ways to save on fuel. Caring for your vehicle and packing light can help you to use less fuel during your trip.

Find Packages to Help You Save

Sometimes the best way to save money on a trip is to book everything as a package. You can book your flights, hotel or other accommodation, and even activities all at the same time. Putting everything together like this means you have one company managing your whole trip, which can have both advantages and disadvantages. You have one point of contact, which can be helpful if anything goes wrong. Booking your trip in this way often works out the cheapest if you’re going to a popular destination. If you’re planning a trip to somewhere a little more unusual, you might find that you’re limited to private tours or can’t find anything suitable.

Compare the Cost of Tours and Packages with DIY Planning

On the other hand, booking a package won’t always work out as the cheapest option. Sometimes it’s best to book everything yourself, choosing the individual things that you want. It also means that you won’t end up doing any activities that you’re not so keen on, and you’ll get to have more control over everything. Before you decide which option is right for you, check the prices for each one. It can take a bit more time to research prices for a DIY trip, but it could be worth it if it turns out to be cheaper.

You can create a spreadsheet to help you note down the general prices you might pay. Alternatively, there are some downloadable sheets that you can find online, which you can just fill in as you conduct your research. You should think about all of the things that you might get as part of a package, tour, or all-inclusive deal. Your expenses might include transport, accommodation, food and drink, activities, and more.

Travel Off-season

It’s entirely possible that part of your dream trip is traveling during a particular season. Maybe you want to go skiing or spend your summer lounging on the beach. But if you’re more interested in a particular destination and you’re not that bothered about the weather or the temperature, you could consider planning your trip off-season. You can find much lower prices if you don’t travel during the busiest times. To make sure you know when it’s going to be the most expensive, you need to know important dates both at home and at your destination. What local events or festivals might make it more expensive? What seasons are more popular? Not all places work on a “spring, summer, fall, winter” basis. For other countries, it might be more important to know when the wet season and when the dry season occurs.

Consider Working During Your Trip

For some people, their dream trip involves long-term traveling or settling into one place to live like a local. If you’re thinking about one of these options, you might also consider working during your trip. It can be a way to really get to know somewhere new and fund your trip at the same time. Of course, if you’re considering this, you need to make sure you’re working legally. Some countries have working holiday visas or short-term work visas that are designed for exactly this purpose. They’re ideal for seasonal work, as well as for jobs suited to those looking for a cultural experience, such as au pairs. Of course, there’s no need for a visa if you’re not going abroad.

Another option is to consider creating a form of passive income. While you’re on your trip, you could still have money coming in. However, be careful about actually doing any work if you don’t have the right visa. It’s likely that you’re not even allowed to do remote work if you’re in another country as a tourist.

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Keep a Tight Budget

When you’re finally on your dream trip, you can save further by keeping a strict budget. Limiting your spending doesn’t have to mean not having any fun. You can still have a great time while avoiding spending too much. Firstly, you can look for free or cheap activities to do that will entertain you. A lot of sightseeing and exploration can be enjoyed for very little money. You can also look for cheaper places to eat and drink. Avoiding tourist traps will help you to save money and make it easier to find tasty local food too. It’s also smart to book accommodation with access to a kitchen so you can make your own food. Even just a fridge can be useful, allowing you to store leftovers from the meals that you eat out.

Give yourself a daily or weekly budget so you know what you can spend. You can track your expenses on your phone using an app or create a spreadsheet to add your costs too. Or if you want to keep it old school, you could just use a pen and paper to keep track.

Learn to Haggle

Haggling is a great skill to have when you’re traveling, especially in places where it’s common to haggle. Haggling gives you the chance to bring down the price of lots of things, from food to souvenirs. However, before you start haggling, make sure it’s acceptable to do in the place you’re visiting. It may be seen as rude in some places, so do a little research before you start trying to argue prices.

Once you have your budget nailed down and plans in place, tie up the final few pieces of trip admin. You can save time – and money – by applying for visas, travel permits, etc. online, such as a Dominican Republic eticket; click here for a guide on how to apply for yours online. 

All to help turn your dream trip into a dream destination-turning affordablity into reality. Friends, how do you plan to turn youir affordability into reality? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

5 Tips To Save Money On Your Dental Care

Teeth are expensive. If you don’t have insurance, going to the dentist for a repair or checkup can set you back a long way. Your oral health is important and plays a massive part in the overall health of your body. You use your teeth for everything, from eating to communicating, so you don’t want to lose your smile because you couldn’t afford dental care.

Money shouldn’t be a barrier to a healthy mouth. Including cosmetic dentistry. Especially if you live in larger metropolitan areas including, cosmetic dentistry in the Tampa Bay area. So, if you need dental care but are worried about blowing your budget, here are few ways to cut the costs and maintain your winning smile.

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Purchase a dental discount plan

A dental discount plan is a brilliant option for anyone who expects to visit the dentist regularly. It works much like a club membership. All you need to do is pay an annual fee, and all your dental work will be discounted. 

Ask for a discount

If you don’t ask, you don’t get it. Your dentist may be willing to give you a discount if you offer to pay in cash. This will save them from the hassles of billing and credit card fees, so they may be willing to cut a deal. Particularly if you explain your financial situation and offer to pay the discounted rate in full at the time of the treatment. 

Set up a payment plan

When you undergo expensive dental work, you usually have two payment options. You can either pay the full amount upfront, or you can opt for a payment plan in which you make repayments gradually over time. The latter method often comes at a slightly higher overall cost, but spacing out your repayments allows you to bear the cost more easily. That way, you can pay off a little bit at a time whenever your monthly paycheck comes through.

Find a job with dental insurance

If your employer’s medical insurance doesn’t cover dental, perhaps it’s time to look for a new job. If convenient, you may be able to find a similar position in a new company that cares for the teeth of its employers. Find out what the dental plan will cover before accepting a job offer. You can find dental insurance that covers implants, crowns, and other cosmetic work if that is what you need.

Go to a dental school

Aspiring dentists need willing subjects to train on. If you book your treatment with a dental school, you will usually receive heavily discounted prices in return for helping students to hone their craft. Don’t panic; the dental work is always carried out under the supervision of qualified instructors. 

These methods have all helped people save money on their dentist bills. But of course, the best way to avoid spending a great deal on your teeth is to care for them in the first place. The better you look after your mouth, the fewer problems you will experience, and the less likely you’ll be to end up in the dentist’s chair. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day, floss regularly, and cut down on the sugary snacks.