by Mrs C | May 23, 2022 | Blog
There are countless chores and responsibilities that you have to take care of as an adult. From basic cooking, cleaning, and hygiene to car repairs and maintenance and all the other responsibilities of adult life, there is a lot to stay on top of. One of the most important chores that you have to take care of is your grocery shopping. Grocery shopping is a major component of your monthly budget and your health and should be a priority. Here are a few things you must think about when grocery shopping for your family.
Cost Per Meal
The first thing that you should think about when grocery shopping for your family is the cost per meal of your grocery haul. Eating at home is generally less expensive than eating out, but only if you are consciously looking for ways to decrease the cost per meal at the grocery store. Focusing on purchasing cheaper, larger cuts of meat and fish over smaller, more choice cuts can cut down your cost per meal significantly. So can buying in bulk if you have a large family or are purchasing shelf stable goods that can last in your pantry.
Inflation
Another thing that you have to think about when grocery shopping for your family is the inflation rate in the United States is. Over the last few months, the inflation rate in the United States has seen forty year highs, as the purchasing power of the American dollar decreases. This means that items in the grocery store are going to cost more than you are used to. Power Finance Texas suggests researching before you shop to limit the cost of inflation. Different items are affected differently so avoiding high inflation items can help to keep your grocery bill low.
Nutrition
The final thing that you need to think about when grocery shopping for your family is the nutrition of the groceries you buy. While it can oftentimes be cheaper to purchase less healthy foods, this is a temptation that you should try to avoid. You and your family’s health is the most important thing that you can protect, and according to WebMD, your diet plays a major role in your families health. Try to focus on purchasing whole foods, fruits, veggies, and lean meats and fish as the main sources of food for you and your family.
Grocery shopping for your family is an important chore. There is a lot more going into grocery shopping now than you may be used to. Think about these three things when you are grocery shopping for your family for the best success.
Check out this article on home projects that can save you money over time!
by Mrs C | May 18, 2022 | Blog
Owning a home is expensive. Not only are you paying for the home structure, but you also need to pay for what is inside it. Big home items you need to save up for are kitchen appliances, mattresses, and furniture.
Kitchen Appliances
The most important thing to think about when you are in the market for new kitchen appliances is what matters the most to you. Are you looking for features like stainless steel, premium colors, specific features? Features like this can cost more money, but if it is worth it to you, then saving up for them is worth it. Look for areas you can save on, such as more basic appliances, such as a dryer with knobs instead of an electronic touchpad. Even if an appliance is more basic, it will still be a significant cost, so do your research and save your money so you can purchase what you need and want.
Mattresses
Mattresses seem like a cheap purchase, however if you are looking for a quality mattress this is not the case. You can expect to pay up to $4,000 for a quality mattress. A quality mattress, however, is worth it. Buying for quality will help save you money overall because it will last a long time. Because it is a significant cost up front you should save your money before making this purchase.
Furniture
While you can find deals, quality furniture can be expensive. Depending on the size of your home, you may even be looking at buying multiple pieces of furniture. To start planning a furniture purchase, you need to produce a realistic budget. Figure out how much money you have already and how much money you are willing to spend. For quality pieces like solid wood dressers or bed frames, you can expect to pay more. Quality couches can also have a high price tag. If the furniture is non-essential, you can wait and save for these big-ticket items. It is worth saving up to buy quality because it will last longer than cheaply made furniture.
Some items are more essential in your home than others. For example, having a working kitchen and a bed to sleep in. However, having a home is more than that and you want it to be a place you love. So, identify which home items are the most important for you to purchase first and save for them.
Check out this article on what to know before deep cleaning your home!
by Mrs C | May 13, 2022 | Blog
Going on a trip is one of the best ways for you to make memories with your family and grow closer together. However, family trips can also get expensive, especially if you don’t take the time to budget and plan it out before you go. If you take time to carefully plan, you can make sure that you have an amazing trip with the people you love without having to break the bank.
Look for Deals
The first step of your trip planning should be to look for good deals. You can find great deals on every aspect of your trip to make things more affordable and fun. Sometimes you can find the best deals by packaging all your trip needs together, which can get you good discounts. There are tons of websites available that are designed to help travelers find the best deals on their next trip. And on those sites you can indicate what kind of a trip you want to have and what you need to make it as fun as possible. Start looking early so you have time to search through all your options.
Decide Between Flying and Driving
The transportation for your trip is often one of the biggest expenses that you need to plan for. And driving and flying both have benefits and downsides. In general driving will be less expensive, but sometimes you can find an amazing flight deal that will make taking a plane the cheaper solution. It’s important to remember that your flying costs will be per person, while driving costs will be in total. So if you have a large family, driving can be cheaper than flying.
Meal Plan
Often people end up spending more money on food on their family vacation than they planned to. Planning out your food in advance can help you to save money and stick to your food budget. For most people the ideal vacation meal plan will include some meals in their lodgings and some meals out at restaurants. Figure out that balance up front so you can start looking for the best meals for your trip.
Your vacation can be amazing for you and your family without being too expensive. The more planning you do in advance, the easier it is to stick to your budget. Make sure you know where you are willing to splurge and what areas you don’t mind missing out on amenities.
Check out this article on what you should know how to do before becoming a homeowner!
by Mrs C | May 5, 2022 | Blog
Spending money every now and again can be a very fun and exciting way to treat yourself, have new experiences, and find great new things. Whether you are buying necessities like shelter, clothing or food, transportation, travel, or just some gizmo’s, there is always the potential, however, for buyer’s remorse. We have all bought something and then instantly regretted it. The key is finding the ways to avoid this buyer’s remorse, so that all of our purchase is worthwhile. Here are three ways that you can avoid buyer’s remorse regardless of what you are buying.
Give it Some Time
The first step to avoiding buyer’s remorse with any purchase you make is to give it some time before making a decision. We are far more likely to make a buying decision that we regret down the line when we make a rushed or in the moment decision to buy. Rather than doing this, give yourself a few hours or days to see if you really want what you are buying. Usually, you will find that after a week, the desire to own something goes away, meaning it was not going to be a worthwhile purchase.
Think Hard About Big Purchases
Another step to avoiding buyers’ remorse is to think very hard about big purchases. Waiting a week to decide can work for smaller purchases, like a new piece of clothing, but for large purchases this approach may not be enough. Purchases that will tie up your assets and cash for a long time should be made with a lot of research and thought. Real estate is a big investment that you should think carefully about. You should make sure to do the math and make sure that any large purchase you make is a sound financial decision for you.
Be Wary of Using Credit
The final thing that you should do to avoid buyer’s remorse with any purchase you make is to be wary of using credit. For a large purchase you will likely need to take out a long-term loan, but for a smaller purchase, you should always pay for them in full rather than keeping a balance on credit for them. When you pay with a credit card and let the balance accrue interest, you are effectively increasing the price of whatever you bought, which can lead to regret.
Purchases are necessary, but if you find yourself regretting many purchases, you should take a look at your spending habits. Buyer’s remorse is completely avoidable with the right approach to spending money. If you take time making purchasing decisions, carefully consider your big purchases, and are wary of using credit unnecessarily, then you are ready to avoid buyer’s remorse forever.
Read this next: Home Expenses That You Have the Power to Control
by Mrs C | May 5, 2022 | Blog
The housing market has become increasingly expensive in recent years. It can be difficult to find a home that fits your budget, not to mention the cost of utilities and maintenance. Save yourself the stress of overpaying by becoming more aware of your home costs, and making small lifestyle changes to be kinder to your budget.
Reduce Energy Use
Your energy bill could be costing you much more than it needs to. You use energy every day, but there are ways to reduce your energy use that can really save your budget. For example, turn off any lights whenever you’re not in the room. Leaving lights on all day uses a lot of energy and can add to your energy bill. You can also unplug any devices while they are not in use. TVs, hair dryers, toasters, and more all use energy even when they’re turned off. Unplugging them allows you to save energy. Lastly, you can conserve your water usage by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth, and fix any leaky faucets you may have.
Budget For Renovations
Chances are, there are a few things in your home you would like to update or change. You may have a lot of things you want to change. These are good aspirations to have! Performing renovations on your home can raise your home’s property value and make it a more beautiful place to live. However, it’s important to create a budget so that you don’t end up spending thousands of dollars more than you need to. For example, small kitchen elements can add up in cost, so you should carefully budget at the outset. Do some research into ways you can cut back on renovation costs. Choosing to DIY some of the less intensive projects can cut back on costs significantly.
Create a Budget
Set up your income so that you have enough for all of your expenses and some extra for savings. Calculate your monthly income, and make a list of every monthly expense. If you notice some extravagant expenses, you might be able to cut down on some things. There are some great apps that check for subscriptions and expenses that you may have missed. A good rule to stick to is the 50/20/30 rule, so 50% of your income is set aside for necessary expenses like rent and utility bills, 30% is set aside for wants, and 20% savings.
Money is one of the most common stressors for people. Your home is a big money sucker, so make sure you’re not spending more than you need to on keeping it maintained. There are lots of cheap alternatives and DIY projects that you can do on your own to save money, but make sure you call professionals for more intensive projects.
Read this next: Home Projects That Can Save You Money Over Time
by Mrs C | May 3, 2022 | Blog
There are few things that can make parenting and raising a family as private, special, and enjoyable as having your very own home. Whether you are purchasing a home for the first time, or are enjoying many years of homeownership, you probably love your home. But if you are expecting your family to grow soon, then you may be faced with the reality that your home is not big enough to accommodate your new, larger, more full family. Here are three home projects you can take on to accommodate your growing family comfortably.
Create More Storage Space
The first home project that can help you to accommodate a growing family is creating more storage space. With each new member of your household, the amount of stuff that you own is going to increase. This means you are going to need more places to put it all if you want to avoid clutter. By installing built in bookcases, maximizing storage space underneath beds, and adding efficient and effective shelving to your garage and laundry room you can significantly increase the storage space in your home. The best part is that if these projects are done correctly your home will look and feel better too.
Add Another Room
Another home project you can take on to accommodate your growing family is to add an extra room as an addition. Whether you decide to expand on the sides, or by building above your garage, you can add a new bedroom or two to your home for your new family members. This space will come in handy as your children continue to grow and need more space to themselves. You can add another room to your home by remodeling your basement. By finishing an unfinished basement and adding a few walls you can make tons of additional space.
Expand Your Kitchen
Something many homeowners don’t realize about a growing family is that their kitchen is going to need more space to accommodate additional mouths to feed. If you have a small kitchen, it may be worth it to expand it before your family grows to ensure you have the space to grow with your family. A kitchen remodel adds tons of value to your home as well as an added bonus.
Your home may not have enough space for your growing family. But if you take the right steps, you can grow your house with your family. Simply take on these three home projects and your home is ready to grow with your growing family.
Check out this article on how to plan out your kitchen redesign!
