I. LOVE. Pineapple. It is one of my favorite fruits so I had to see what this article had to say. Some of these are great ideas! I've had pineapple mango salsa before and it is incredible, and it would be really easy to make at home! I never thought of putting it in soup, but I have paired it with chicken, grilling them both gives pineapple a great taste like its candied!
Volunteering is a great way to build character and give back to your community. Even if you're performing a service for no money you can be rewarded in a number of ways like what you mention here.Meeting new people and networking while doing something that makes you feel good are benefits of volunteering. There's nothing quite like the feeling of giving time and effort to a good cause.
I'm only 21 so saving for retirement seems like a really scary thing, but I have already started a savings account that I don't touch to help get a kick start for my future. It's never too early to start preparation!
Another reason that you may not be ready to own a home is if you can't afford your ideal house yet. A lot of people are so anxious to own a home that they buy a "starter home" which they plan to upgrade in a few years when they are able. The transaction costs and risks associated with this type of plan are not worth the trouble. You end up paying mostly interest on your mortgage for a few years and paying for unexpected repairs which drain your savings even further. It is far better to rent for a few extra years to be able to comfortable afford a home that will make you happy.
You will only get the most out of her career if you get fully involved in all aspects inside and outside the office. I am young and just getting into my job, and I find that I always learn more when I'm interacting with others outside of the office setting rather than in it. Great advice!
Great ideas! I am a huge crafter and these ideas look amazing and cheap, my favorite is the magazine coasters, definitely making these in the near future!
I created an app, uSit iSit Babysitting Co-op Swap, that automates all the administrative headaches of a co-op — scheduling, points tracking, communications — while you're on the go.
And, it also ensures that you swap ONLY with trusted friends, never the possibility of a stranger. Plus, it's free.
Great articles you shared. I really enjoyed the article on cutting your electricity bill down since this seems to be a reoccurring problem since I moved into my apartment.
Wow! What a great article. The tea bag shopping list is adorable. I've never been too creative when it comes to upcycling but this list is impressive and I definitely will have to reference it for things to do. I love crafting but you are right, it does get rather expensive. Who would have known there were so many fun things to do with stuff I already had. Thanks for sharing!
Tried it. Didn't work. I suppose it really depends on the kind of dent. In any case, it doesn't damage the car, so it's well worth a try before paying the full price for a fix I imagine.
I make these all the time for my toddler for breakfast and he eats them up! It's nice to have a convenient breakfast food that is well balanced and doesn't come in a box. Since he can afford a little extra calories, I use brown sugar instead of sugar or sugar substitute (I've used honey too). I also add about half a tablespoon of butter and a pinch of salt, which goes a really long way. I usually add fresh fruit, like frozen blueberries or chopped up strawberries or even peach. A dash of nutmeg can be nice too. Thanks for a great, flexible recipe!
This was very helpful! I am getting married this summer and my fiance and I have been discussing whether to buy a house or rent. One of the reasons we were leaning toward buying was because we saw it as an investment. We have no money to put down, some debt that we need to take care of, and not much in savings. After reading this post, we are sure we need to rent for a while until we are a little more financially stable. We kind of already knew we shouldn't be buying a house, but you convinced us. Thanks for saving us the tie and hassle!
Retirement planning has always been a dreaded topic for me, but I have to face it head on. You have helped me realize that it doesn't have to be scary if I look at it in a clear and simple way. I will be moving forward with my retirement plans as soon as I build my emergency fund. Thank you.
My tips:
Do it all in one day! Why? cause once you get momentum it's easy to keep going and make a day of it, and you'll feel great when you finish! The hardest part is getting started, so why not just keep at it until the job is done.
I created an app — uSit iSit Babysitting Co-op Swap — to automate all the administrative headaches of a babysitting co-op: scheduling, points tracking, communications.
And, it ensures that you exchange sitting ONLY with trusted friends; never a stranger.
Well, this article is written based on 1 experience & 1 Discount Plan in 1 area.
Carefully shopped Discount Dental Plans CAN be BIG money savers based on your needs & how well you shop & compare those plans!
ALL Dental Insurance Plans have caps on annual benefits, normally $1000 or $1500 (my understanding is that ObamaCare doesn't really address Dental Services, Insurance, Caps).
ALL Dental Insurance Plans have waiting periods, frequently 1 year for basic fillings & 2 years for more complex procedures, even 3 years on some plans before covering things like dentures or braces.
Even after paying your premiums for 2 years, things such as Root Canals, Crowns, etc are only covered at 50% under most plans.
Compared to Discount Dental Plans:
NO Waiting Periods or minimal waiting period of a couple of months.
NO Caps on annual benefits.
Good Discount Plans you know up front what you costs are for procedures.
Annual Costs are generally cheaper then annual Insurance costs.
No Deductibles.
Insurance thru my employer (& typical of most Dental Insurance Plans) would be $15.90/month.
$1500 Cap. $75 Deductible. 6-month waiting period on preventative care. 1 year waiting period on basic services. 2 year waiting period on major services.
Preventative AFTER deductible are free or under $10/service.
Simple Procedures are covered at 60% to 80% after 1 year.
Major Services are covered at 40% to 60% after 2 years.
My Current Discount Dental Plan (& typical in my area):
$10.99/month + $7 service Charge per payment (pay full year at one time & only pay 1 service charge).
Coverage begins the 1st of the month AFTER enrolling if enrolling before the 15th.
$25 Office Visit CoPay except exam & preventive have NO co-pay.
NO deductible.
NO Annual Limits.
Most Preventative Services & bitewing X-Rays are NO CHARGE.
Basic Services on average for my zip code are discounted 60% to 75%.
Major Services on average for my zip code are discounted 40% to 60%.
Orthodontic Plans run $125/month for 12-months & have a $25 copay per visit with NO ADDITIONAL CHARGES.
My Experience with 3 different insurance plans & 32 different discount plans:
*Discount Pans tend to have fewer providers to choose from ... but they still have some top rated providers!
*Both Insurance & Discount Plans provide about the same coverage, if anything the discount plan is cheaper for preventative service & equal on major services.
*Discount Plan begins IMMEDIATELT, Insurance has wait periods.
*Discount Plan has NO annual limits, Insurance has a $1500 limit.
*Monthly Premiums .... if paid full year at a time 50% cheaper for the discount plan.
So, pay less in premiums & have coverage immediately with no annual caps & no deductible & coverage pretty close to or same (even better) then the insurance plan
..... or ......
Pay for insurance, have deductibles, waiting periods, annual limits, & get about the same coverage once your coverage starts to take effect (after your waiting period).
Lovely article! I'm putting together a childcare guide for my parenting site and most of these suggestions are included... along with a few more (I'm also featuring alternatives and not just low-budget options). I've had so many issues with childcare over the years and have tried pretty much all of the above, apart from joining a gym hehe.
I've relied on the babysitting/playdate trade-off many times but can't imagine how a co-op would work consistently for parents having larger numbers of kids to care for. My friends with one child sometimes shy away from looking after my 2, and I know that I'd think twice about taking on some of my friends' 4 kids at once!
One idea to consider over a longer period is a temporary au pair who could live-in for say 3 months over summer and help out with the kids at a fraction of nanny or regular babysitting costs!
I am amazed at the comments, if you have doubts, try a small area, And I cannot believe all the questions about how much water, can't you people read. Thanks Paul for this info. I will try it this spring. I believe that the Landscapers wwont tell you the truth, they need to make money on their fertilizers. I bet some are doing this.
I'm really excited about the possibility of switching to an HSA. The idea of paying for my own healthcare and making those decisions on my own (where I will be treated) is enticing. Plus, I can be covered by a high deductible policy that will ensure that if cancer happens, I'm still covered.
I. LOVE. Pineapple. It is one of my favorite fruits so I had to see what this article had to say. Some of these are great ideas! I've had pineapple mango salsa before and it is incredible, and it would be really easy to make at home! I never thought of putting it in soup, but I have paired it with chicken, grilling them both gives pineapple a great taste like its candied!
Volunteering is a great way to build character and give back to your community. Even if you're performing a service for no money you can be rewarded in a number of ways like what you mention here.Meeting new people and networking while doing something that makes you feel good are benefits of volunteering. There's nothing quite like the feeling of giving time and effort to a good cause.
I moved closer to work.
I'm only 21 so saving for retirement seems like a really scary thing, but I have already started a savings account that I don't touch to help get a kick start for my future. It's never too early to start preparation!
Another reason that you may not be ready to own a home is if you can't afford your ideal house yet. A lot of people are so anxious to own a home that they buy a "starter home" which they plan to upgrade in a few years when they are able. The transaction costs and risks associated with this type of plan are not worth the trouble. You end up paying mostly interest on your mortgage for a few years and paying for unexpected repairs which drain your savings even further. It is far better to rent for a few extra years to be able to comfortable afford a home that will make you happy.
You will only get the most out of her career if you get fully involved in all aspects inside and outside the office. I am young and just getting into my job, and I find that I always learn more when I'm interacting with others outside of the office setting rather than in it. Great advice!
Great ideas! I am a huge crafter and these ideas look amazing and cheap, my favorite is the magazine coasters, definitely making these in the near future!
I created an app, uSit iSit Babysitting Co-op Swap, that automates all the administrative headaches of a co-op — scheduling, points tracking, communications — while you're on the go.
And, it also ensures that you swap ONLY with trusted friends, never the possibility of a stranger. Plus, it's free.
Great articles you shared. I really enjoyed the article on cutting your electricity bill down since this seems to be a reoccurring problem since I moved into my apartment.
Wow! What a great article. The tea bag shopping list is adorable. I've never been too creative when it comes to upcycling but this list is impressive and I definitely will have to reference it for things to do. I love crafting but you are right, it does get rather expensive. Who would have known there were so many fun things to do with stuff I already had. Thanks for sharing!
It IS possible to pay it off and using the envelope system would be a great step in the right direction. Here's a simple how-to guide: http://www.wisebread.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-envelope-system
Tried it. Didn't work. I suppose it really depends on the kind of dent. In any case, it doesn't damage the car, so it's well worth a try before paying the full price for a fix I imagine.
love this and will use most if not all of the ideas......thanks
I make these all the time for my toddler for breakfast and he eats them up! It's nice to have a convenient breakfast food that is well balanced and doesn't come in a box. Since he can afford a little extra calories, I use brown sugar instead of sugar or sugar substitute (I've used honey too). I also add about half a tablespoon of butter and a pinch of salt, which goes a really long way. I usually add fresh fruit, like frozen blueberries or chopped up strawberries or even peach. A dash of nutmeg can be nice too. Thanks for a great, flexible recipe!
I try and group errands so I don't make multiple trips.
This was very helpful! I am getting married this summer and my fiance and I have been discussing whether to buy a house or rent. One of the reasons we were leaning toward buying was because we saw it as an investment. We have no money to put down, some debt that we need to take care of, and not much in savings. After reading this post, we are sure we need to rent for a while until we are a little more financially stable. We kind of already knew we shouldn't be buying a house, but you convinced us. Thanks for saving us the tie and hassle!
Retirement planning has always been a dreaded topic for me, but I have to face it head on. You have helped me realize that it doesn't have to be scary if I look at it in a clear and simple way. I will be moving forward with my retirement plans as soon as I build my emergency fund. Thank you.
My tips:
Do it all in one day! Why? cause once you get momentum it's easy to keep going and make a day of it, and you'll feel great when you finish! The hardest part is getting started, so why not just keep at it until the job is done.
I created an app — uSit iSit Babysitting Co-op Swap — to automate all the administrative headaches of a babysitting co-op: scheduling, points tracking, communications.
And, it ensures that you exchange sitting ONLY with trusted friends; never a stranger.
Plus, it's free. http://usitisit.com
Well, this article is written based on 1 experience & 1 Discount Plan in 1 area.
Carefully shopped Discount Dental Plans CAN be BIG money savers based on your needs & how well you shop & compare those plans!
ALL Dental Insurance Plans have caps on annual benefits, normally $1000 or $1500 (my understanding is that ObamaCare doesn't really address Dental Services, Insurance, Caps).
ALL Dental Insurance Plans have waiting periods, frequently 1 year for basic fillings & 2 years for more complex procedures, even 3 years on some plans before covering things like dentures or braces.
Even after paying your premiums for 2 years, things such as Root Canals, Crowns, etc are only covered at 50% under most plans.
Compared to Discount Dental Plans:
NO Waiting Periods or minimal waiting period of a couple of months.
NO Caps on annual benefits.
Good Discount Plans you know up front what you costs are for procedures.
Annual Costs are generally cheaper then annual Insurance costs.
No Deductibles.
Insurance thru my employer (& typical of most Dental Insurance Plans) would be $15.90/month.
$1500 Cap. $75 Deductible. 6-month waiting period on preventative care. 1 year waiting period on basic services. 2 year waiting period on major services.
Preventative AFTER deductible are free or under $10/service.
Simple Procedures are covered at 60% to 80% after 1 year.
Major Services are covered at 40% to 60% after 2 years.
My Current Discount Dental Plan (& typical in my area):
$10.99/month + $7 service Charge per payment (pay full year at one time & only pay 1 service charge).
Coverage begins the 1st of the month AFTER enrolling if enrolling before the 15th.
$25 Office Visit CoPay except exam & preventive have NO co-pay.
NO deductible.
NO Annual Limits.
Most Preventative Services & bitewing X-Rays are NO CHARGE.
Basic Services on average for my zip code are discounted 60% to 75%.
Major Services on average for my zip code are discounted 40% to 60%.
Orthodontic Plans run $125/month for 12-months & have a $25 copay per visit with NO ADDITIONAL CHARGES.
My Experience with 3 different insurance plans & 32 different discount plans:
*Discount Pans tend to have fewer providers to choose from ... but they still have some top rated providers!
*Both Insurance & Discount Plans provide about the same coverage, if anything the discount plan is cheaper for preventative service & equal on major services.
*Discount Plan begins IMMEDIATELT, Insurance has wait periods.
*Discount Plan has NO annual limits, Insurance has a $1500 limit.
*Monthly Premiums .... if paid full year at a time 50% cheaper for the discount plan.
So, pay less in premiums & have coverage immediately with no annual caps & no deductible & coverage pretty close to or same (even better) then the insurance plan
..... or ......
Pay for insurance, have deductibles, waiting periods, annual limits, & get about the same coverage once your coverage starts to take effect (after your waiting period).
Lovely article! I'm putting together a childcare guide for my parenting site and most of these suggestions are included... along with a few more (I'm also featuring alternatives and not just low-budget options). I've had so many issues with childcare over the years and have tried pretty much all of the above, apart from joining a gym hehe.
I've relied on the babysitting/playdate trade-off many times but can't imagine how a co-op would work consistently for parents having larger numbers of kids to care for. My friends with one child sometimes shy away from looking after my 2, and I know that I'd think twice about taking on some of my friends' 4 kids at once!
One idea to consider over a longer period is a temporary au pair who could live-in for say 3 months over summer and help out with the kids at a fraction of nanny or regular babysitting costs!
I am amazed at the comments, if you have doubts, try a small area, And I cannot believe all the questions about how much water, can't you people read. Thanks Paul for this info. I will try it this spring. I believe that the Landscapers wwont tell you the truth, they need to make money on their fertilizers. I bet some are doing this.
i was going to ask about earning interest. I have a free checking account that doesn't earn interest, whatever that is.
Could you please share your metabolism boosting drink you referred to?
I'm really excited about the possibility of switching to an HSA. The idea of paying for my own healthcare and making those decisions on my own (where I will be treated) is enticing. Plus, I can be covered by a high deductible policy that will ensure that if cancer happens, I'm still covered.
Thanks for the article!