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33 Ways to Maximize a Small Living Space on a Budget
Cut the clutter, create multi-functional spaces, and visit IKEA to make the most of tight confines. Photo: IKEA
Whether you’ve recently escaped the confines of your parent’s home for the first time or recently relocated to a posh condo downtown, adjusting to a small living space can be difficult.
During my adult years, I’ve lived in a tiny dorm room, a spacious apartment, and a beautiful home with limited square footage. And each of these living spaces has presented its own unique set of challenges and benefits. However, I eventually learned to make the most of my space in the most efficient manner possible.
If you’re a facing a similar dilemma, here are some ways to comfortably settle into a small living space without spending a fortune:
The Biggest Regrets and How to Avoid Them
A few days ago, Sarah shared a wonderful article with me that I wanted to share with all of you. Entitled Top Five Regrets of the Dying and appearing in The Guardian, it’s a very touching look at the genuine regrets of people who are in hospice and directly facing the end of their lives. While I encourage you to read the whole article, here are the five regrets that were mentioned:
I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Student Loan Forgiveness: Joining the Military
It’s not easy, and it’s not for everyone, but military service comes with many benefits — including student loan forgiveness. Photo: U.S. Army
Dealing with student loan debt can seem unbearable and overwhelming. As I mentioned in 15 Ways To Deal with Student Loan Debt, the average student owes a whopping $40,000 after graduation — but almost one in five students owes $50,000 or more, and 5.6 percent owe over $100,000.
Best Money Market Account for 2014
Money market accounts (MMAs) can be a great low-risk investment if you have a substantial chunk of cash. They offer better interest rates than personal savings accounts but are more liquid than certificates of deposit (CDs).
Unfortunately, MMAs haven’t been immune to sinking interest rates. According to Bankrate, the average MMA interest rate has sunk from 0.52% at the beginning of 2012 to 0.39% at the end of 2014. Not super impressive, but savings accounts and one-year CDs are faring even worse with average rates of 0.08% and 0.26%, respectively. If you want to know more about the differences between MMAs, savings accounts, and CDs, keep reading.
As 2014 winds down, the best current MMA rates are hovering near 1.0% APY regardless of minimum deposit.
Decrypting Bitcoin
For a digital-only currency, bitcoin has made a big impact on the real world. Photo: Antana
I wanted to begin this post by asking the “biggest” question about Bitcoin. But the truth is, there are dozens of enormous questions about the digital currency: Can I touch it? How safe is it? Where do you get it? How do I protect it? Should I buy some and use it, or keep some as an investment?
This just goes to show how confusing most information about Bitcoin is. The truth is, I’m very intrigued by Bitcoin from several angles:
Questions on Misers, Trailer Parks, Used Bookstores, Brain Training, and More!
What’s inside? Here are the questions answered in today’s reader mailbag, boiled down to five word summaries. Click on the number to jump straight down to the question.
1. Frugal versus miserly
2. Underwater on car
3. Trailer parks
4. Clearing out leftovers with kids
5. Leftover transportation advice
6. When should we merge finances?
7. Online career options
8. Buy it for life question
9. Retirement “number”
Saving Money in Your Startup — Part 3
Here are tips to generate sales and market your business, whether you hire a team or do it yourself. Photo: Tech Cocktail
Yup, You Can Insure That!
Insurance isn’t just about cars and homes: Mariah Carey reportedly took out a $1 billion policy on her legs. You can also insure yourself against an alien abduction or a zombie apocalypse. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Insurance is a gambler’s game, and it always has been.
From the earliest days of human civilization there have been those who have been willing to gamble on the outcomes of other people’s efforts. A wealthy person would pay mercenaries to escort a shipment of grain produced by a tenant farmer in exchange for a portion of the sale price. He had an interest in insuring that the goods arrived safely so that he could collect his fee, which was really just a premium collected after the risk has passed.
10 College Degrees That Could Pay Off in 2015
Majoring in marketing or computer science could improve your job prospects after graduation. Photo: Mer Chau
Recent news about the rising costs of college has been nothing short of dark and dreary. By all accounts, the price tag of higher education has been skyrocketing — and student bank accounts simply cannot keep up.
Government data show that college costs for the 2011–12 academic year were approximately $14,300 at public institutions and $37,800 at private, nonprofit institutions — that’s a 28% to 40% increase since the 2001-2002 school year, even after adjusting for inflation.
29 Affordable DIY Projects That Take Less Than a Week
A splash of color can transform a room quickly and on the cheap. Photo: Jodimichelle
Time is limited, funds are tight, but you desperately want to make over a few elements of your humble abode’s exterior and interior. Are there any feasible solutions?
Definitely, but the most ideal option is to put on your “handyman” cap and perform the tasks on your own.
But, let me warn you in advance: If you run across an idea or situation that seems too complex, do yourself and your wallet a favor and stick with the pros.
Otherwise, take a look at these simple and affordable DIY projects that can completely refresh your home’s appearance.
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