Money-saving Tips Archives - Hanover Mortgages

Apache is functioning normally

September 9, 2023 by Brett Tams

For many people, college is the first time they’re truly in charge of their own finances. While it’s often a challenge, creating and maintaining a savings account for students is a foundational lesson for building healthy financial habits that last a lifetime.

And saving money as a student has its short-term, practical benefits, too.

“Life throws a lot of expenses our way that are hard to plan for—like when your car suddenly refuses to start when you’re running late for class,” says Jacqueline DeMarco, a freelance writer specializing in personal finance content. “That’s why building out a solid emergency fund is something that every college student should prioritize.”

So, how can you save money as a student in college? These savings tips can help give you some monetary breathing room and a financially secure start in adulthood.

Can you make your bank accounts work for you?

First things first: Make sure you have a good place to keep your savings. That means finding a bank that’s convenient and offers the features and benefits that work best for you.

DeMarco notes that students may feel limited to banks available on or near campus.

“If they aren’t happy with their on-campus bank options, college students may find that an online bank is a better fit for them,” DeMarco says. “Not only do online-only banks offer all of their services digitally, they also tend to have lower fees and offer higher interest rates than banks with expensive brick-and-mortar locations to pay for.”

Whichever bank you choose, DeMarco says there are two accounts every new student should strongly consider opening: a checking account and a savings account.

Setting up both a savings account and a checking account can be done online within a few hours at the bank of your choice.

How can students save money?

Once you’ve set up your checking and saving accounts, it’s time to take the next step toward financial responsibility. One of the best ways to save money for students is by setting up a budget.

How much should a college student spend per month? To determine that, DeMarco recommends subtracting your monthly expenses (essentials like food, utility bills, etc.) from your monthly income (whether it’s from a part-time job, student loans, or money from a parent). Doing this simple math will help reveal how much you can safely spend each month on fun stuff like new clothes or going to the movies—after you’ve put aside a portion for your savings, of course.

Looking to add more wiggle room to your budget? Try these money-saving tips for students:

Shop at consignment and thrift stores

Consignment and thrift stores offer previously owned clothes and other items at a discount. The primary differences are that thrift stores tend to be nonprofit organizations, accept more donations, and are generally less selective in what they choose to sell. Consignment stores are often more selective about the donations they accept, and they pass a portion of the sale to the person who donated—or consigned—the product.

DeMarco notes that consignment stores are not only a smart option for saving money—they’re also a way for students to make extra money by selling unwanted items.

Buy used textbooks

Textbooks can cost students hundreds of dollars if they’re new. Instead of paying full price, consider buying or renting used textbooks. “Many college bookstores offer used options, and online platforms often provide affordable alternatives,” DeMarco says.

You might also be able to recoup some of the money you spent once you’ve finished a class by reselling your textbooks to a used bookstore or an online vendor. “Sometimes I could even sell a book for more than I bought it,” DeMarco says, referencing her time as a student. Cha-ching!

Think about meal planning

So busy with classes and assignments that you find spending money at vending machines for on-the-go snacks easier than planning ahead? Stop, shop, and save. Set aside a few hours each weekend to prepare all of your meals for the week to come. Or, if you live in a dorm, hoard some extra items from the dining hall so you’re ready when those late-night study session cravings inevitably strike.

“Planning meals in advance gives students the chance to make a shopping list and stick to it,” DeMarco says. “As a bonus, having their meals planned will make it easier to avoid the temptation to dine out after a long day of classes.”

Explore free activities

Who says you need to splurge to have a good time? There are plenty of ways to have fun without spending money. Chances are, multiple free activities are happening on and around your campus on any given night. You can look up event calendars online or keep an eye out for announcements. Groups and clubs are always looking for participants and potential new members, so you can bet they’ll be happy to have you. (Plus, a lot of these events have free food.)

Ask for student discounts

It’s common for stores on and off campus to offer student discounts. To reap the benefits, always keep your student ID in your wallet, purse, or cellphone case so you can flash it and save some money.

“You’d be surprised how many retailers, restaurants, theaters, and entertainment venues offer discounts specifically for students,” says DeMarco, who relied on student discounts to help build her professional wardrobe as she neared graduation. “Plenty of major mall brands offer these discounts.”

Get a cheap coffee maker

Relying on caffeine to get through those late-night study sessions—or just to get moving each morning? Save money on java by buying a coffee maker and becoming your own barista. DeMarco says that a cheap or used French press is easy to use and could save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.

Rethink the car

It can be tempting to bring a car to college—whether for grocery runs or the occasional road trip. But the costs of gas, maintenance, and parking can add up quickly, DeMarco says. So leaving that set of wheels at home is another way for students to save money. Most college campuses are great for biking and walking. And many also provide shuttle buses and rides to essential off-campus places like grocery stores—as well as safe rides at night.

Track your savings

As you put these ways for students to save money into practice, DeMarco suggests tracking their positive impact on your budget. That way, you can see how your small saving techniques can add up over time. There are even money-saving apps for students you can download to measure your progress.

Where should college students keep their savings?

As you’re finding new ways to trim your budget, where should you put the money you’ve set aside? DeMarco says you’ve got a few options to consider:

Rewards checking account

While there are better places for long-term savings, rewards checking accounts are a valuable tool for college students as they begin to manage their own finances. Certain online checking accounts will provide cash back rewards based on how much you spend. For example, the Discover^® Cashback Debit Account provides a 1% cash back bonus¹ as well as overdraft protection if you overdraw your account.

Checking accounts are an ideal place to keep your spending money, funds for paying bills, and income earnings from part-time jobs or side hustles since they allow you to access the cash you need at any time.

High-yield savings account

Starting a high-yield savings account, like the Discover Online Savings Account, in college can make a dramatically positive impact on the rest of your financial life.

DeMarco recommends a high-yield savings account for any money that students may not immediately need but still want to keep available. “That way, their savings can earn interest, but they can access those funds if needed,” she says.

Call it a sunny day fund—online savings with no monthly fees

Discover Bank, Member FDIC

And putting aside a set amount of money each month into a high-yield savings account can start earning you compound interest. Even depositing a small amount of savings while you’re in college can add up over the years to make a sizable stash down the line.

CD

CDs, or certificates of deposit—especially those with a longer maturity term—can provide a higher return than a savings account. Use CDs for savings that you don’t expect to need over the CD’s term. The term length for CDs can vary widely. For example, Discover Certificate of Deposit terms range between three months and 10 years, with competitive annual percentage yields.

“If a student has a solid chunk of savings they know they won’t touch for a while, they may want to consider keeping their money safe in a CD, where it’s guaranteed to experience growth,” DeMarco suggests.

Retirement account

If you’re ready to start preparing for the more distant future (always a good idea), you can start by contributing money to an IRA, or individual retirement account. While some college students wait until they have a full-time job that offers a 401(k) plan to begin saving for retirement, the sooner you can get a head start, the better.

Discover offers both IRA CDs and IRA savings accounts.

Why not start saving while in college?

There’s really no better time to start saving than in college. To make your savings dreams a reality, set goals at the start of each semester and check your progress periodically. Maybe even reward yourself (nothing too extravagant, of course) for staying on track. Something as small as the occasional special meal or an activity that doesn’t blow your budget can be a fun way to celebrate those financial milestones.

Saving money can also create some amazing memories with the new friends you’ll be making. Ramen might seem dull, but challenging friends to see who can come up with the best recipe using cheap instant noodles can spice up the fun.

College can be a wonderful experience. And weaving these saving tips into that experience can help build the foundation for a comfortable and secure financial future. Just think: It could all start with a high-yield savings account.

Articles may contain information from third parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third-party or information.

¹ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), online sports betting and internet gambling transactions, and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo® and PayPal®, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple Pay® is a trademark of Apple Inc. Venmo and PayPal are registered trademarks of PayPal, Inc. Samsung Pay is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Google, Google Pay, and Android are trademarks of Google LLC.

Source: discover.com

Apache is functioning normally

September 7, 2023 by Brett Tams

College is an exciting time: You’re surrounded by new people, new opportunities, and a chance to dive into the next chapter of your academic career. But this transition also comes with different financial realities—and the need to develop new skills around spending and saving money.

Along with navigating your new campus and sharpening your study skills, there’s another key lesson to learn: how to create a college student budget. When done right, a budget can help you limit debt, build some savings, and accomplish your goals. Need to make sure you have enough for textbooks, rent, food—and some left over for a little fun? Want to spend a semester abroad? Creating a college student budget can help with these goals and more.

Whatever financial issue is giving you trouble, Katie Waters, CFP®, founder of a financial planning firm, has tips for how to set yourself up for success. Here’s how to get started.

Assess your income and expenses

As you begin building your college student budget, you first need to figure out how much money you have coming in and how much you have going out. You can use anything from a simple spreadsheet to a budgeting app to track your income and expenses.

How should students pay for monthly expenses? Start by writing down all the sources of after-tax money you get each month, Waters says. That includes money from a part-time job, financial aid, stipends, grants, loans, or a monthly allowance from your parents.

Next, figure out how much you’re spending each month. Waters recommends looking back at three months’ worth of your expenses. To do that, refer to your debit and/or credit card statements, plus any record of money sent through payment apps.

You should account for every dollar you’ve spent, Waters says, separating expenses into common categories such as:

Cell phone
Food
Entertainment (movies, fun with friends, streaming services)
Clothing
Internet
Transportation (airfare, bus tickets, car insurance, gas)
Tuition
Room and board or rent
Textbooks and school supplies

The point is to add up everything, Waters says. “We want a line item for it all.”

If you’ve gotten this far and you already realize that your expenses weigh in heavier than your income, consider ways you could start giving your income a leg up. Check out these tips to help you make money as a college student.

Create your college student budget

Making and following a college student budget is the best way to ensure you have enough money to pay for the things you need while still having some money left over for the things you want. Here’s how to budget as a college student:

1. Create your spending categories.

Your budget should contain categories for all your major spending groups. (Refer to the list of expenses you created when assessing your expenses.) Then decide how much you must spend for each and assign a dollar amount or percentage to that category.

2. Choose a type of budget.

There are different budgeting styles, and Waters notes that one might fit your specific situation better than another. You could try the 50/30/20 rule, which allocates 50% of your money toward needs (food, textbooks, tuition); 30% toward wants (entertainment, clothing); and 20% toward savings.

You can also go with the envelope system, which involves setting aside a limited amount of money for each spending category. Once you hit the limit in a given category by running through money in its envelope—whether literal or digital—you can’t spend any more in that category until the next budget period begins.

3. Optimize your budget regularly.

Once you’ve set a budget, keep track of it. If you’re consistently under or over, see if there are areas where you can save more or spend less. As your needs change, so should your budget.

Checking with cash back and no monthly fees

Discover Bank, Member FDIC

Prioritize essential expenses

Whichever kind of college student budget you choose, make sure necessities such as your tuition payment (if you’re paying for school yourself) or things like bus fare to get to your part-time job are covered. To make that easier, Waters says you can find ways to reduce your expenses, such as:

Renting, borrowing, or buying used textbooks
Buying snacks in bulk or cooking meals that are large enough that you’ll have leftovers
Asking for student discounts when shopping in person or looking for online discounts
Opening a cash back checking account or using a cash back rewards credit card to earn rewards¹ for purchases you already make.

Focusing on what you must pay for first can help to lessen the debt you acquire, Waters says. Bonus: If you can do that, you’ll also reduce the amount of interest you’ll have to pay while in school or after you graduate.

Manage your fixed and variable expenses

Certain expenses, such as your cell phone or car insurance bill, typically stay the same every month. Those are fixed expenses. Variable expenses include costs that can change from month to month, like food, gas, or entertainment, depending on your behavior. Variable expenses can be tougher to budget for, but they can also provide more flexibility to your budget.

The envelope budget method can help you learn to budget more accurately for variable expenses when making a college student budget. For example, let’s say you spent $140 dining out in month one, $175 in month two, and $120 in month three. Take the average of the three—$145—and set that as your “dining out” monthly line item that you shouldn’t exceed.

“The biggest ‘don’t’ for college students is saying yes to everything,” according to Waters. Instead, it’s important to set limits. “Get to know your town and find ways to hang out that are free or low cost.”

Save for emergencies

College might not seem like a natural time to save money, especially if you’re not making much to begin with—but it can be done. And saving money will be a critical skill you can continue to use throughout your life.

Often, the easiest way to save is to make it automatic, Waters says. You can automate your savings by opening a savings account and setting up regular transfers from your checking to your savings account. You can choose how much is socked away based on a percentage of your income, as with the 50/30/20 rule, or you can set aside a chunk of your remaining balance at the end of each month.

It’s also important to try and build an emergency fund, even if it’s small, Waters says. An emergency fund is money you use for unexpected expenses—think paying to fix a flat tire, covering medical bills, or repairing a malfunctioning laptop. A good goal for the amount to save in an emergency fund is three to six months of your expenses. That might sound like a lot, but you can build your savings slowly over time.

Waters notes that a savings account or emergency fund is also a great place to stash cash you weren’t expecting to receive—like birthday money from Grandma. Think of it this way: If you save $25 a week, in just six months, you’ll have saved $600. This is also a great chance to learn how to invest as a college student. By keeping your savings or emergency fund money in a high-yield savings account, you can watch how your savings grows over time with interest.

Start building your financial foundation today

Once you’ve set a budget that you feel comfortable with, make sure to regularly check in with yourself about your spending. One trick that’s great for budgeting for college students is a financial checklist, which helps you look closely at your spending habits and whether your needs have changed. Earning more or less money, a change in your rent, or a tuition hike can make it necessary to reassess your budget and tweak as needed, Waters says.

College can be the perfect time to start your financial future off on the right foot. Things like building credit, saving for retirement, and creating a thriving savings account all come from making the right choices early—and regularly. Getting a handle on your finances in college with a college student budget is one of the best first steps you can take.

Creating a budget and learning to manage your finances as a college student can put you in a stronger financial position when you graduate. Here are some of the first steps you can take to ensure your long-term financial wellness.

Articles may contain information from third parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third-party or information.

¹ ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), online sports betting and internet gambling transactions, and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo® and PayPal®, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple Pay® is a trademark of Apple Inc. Venmo and PayPal are registered trademarks of PayPal, Inc. Samsung Pay is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Google, Google Pay, and Android are trademarks of Google LLC.

Source: discover.com

Apache is functioning normally

August 30, 2023 by Brett Tams

Creating a sleek space is simple and can involve elevating pieces you already own.

If your living room is feeling dull or just plain outdated, elevating your living space to have a more modern and sleek feel is your solution. Modern decor seamlessly blends style with functionality, creating an ambiance that feels timeless but also in the moment. It’s also important to note that modern and contemporary styles hold key distinctions, and we’ll note some differences to look for later.

From the muted perfection of neutral tones to the boldness and power of a few carefully placed statement pieces, our 13 tips will transform your living room into a modern masterpiece. No matter your personal aesthetic, crafting a living room that transcends time and trends feels unmistakably modern.

What makes a modern space, modern?

Modern decor is defined as distinct features that, together, create a sleek, clean and sophisticated aesthetic. As decor trends evolve and experience fluctuating popularity, modern decor shines in what seems to be timelessness. However, like everything else, modern decor retains some strong influences with aesthetics developed decades ago.

That’s perhaps why the term “modern” is frequently misused in the realm of interior decoration. Its confusion with the contemporary style is fairly widespread.

The modern style that we encounter today actually stems from a German design movement that originated at the cusp of the 20th century, specifically the Bauhaus movement. This so-called “modern” style in furnishings and decor dominated the early-to-mid 20th century before transforming to another style we love today, mid-century modern.

Modern design pays homage to natural materials, employs neutral or earthy tones and embraces a minimalist approach by removing excessive embellishments. While contemporary styling can encompass a diverse color palette that carries some brash, bohemian influences at times, the modern style more strictly adheres to monochromatic hues in lieu of anything overtly loud or adventurous.

Modern vs. Contemporary: Telling Them Apart

Because the distinctions between modern and contemporary styles still probably seem confusing, we’ll break it down into bullet points so you get the exact style you’re going for. If contemporary calls to you, great! You’ve found new language for the look you envision, and that’s never a bad thing.

Modern

Functional furniture pieces with clean lines
Minimalistic vibes, mid-century influence
Neutral color usage throughout most of the room
Furniture that serves more than one purpose
Sparse natural material embellishments that add visual interest

Contemporary

An eclectic fusion of diverse influences
Bold patterns and textures, and sometimes colors
Dramatic and sculptural lighting fixtures
Functional art pieces that blur the line between form and function
Global inspirations
Signature furniture pieces with unique silhouettes and unconventional shapes
Eclectic mix of classic pieces with modern elements

13 modern living room tips to update your space

The key to a successful modern living room design is finding a balance between functionality, aesthetics and your personal style preferences. These tips offer guidance to work conjunctively with your own unique tastes to achieve your modern masterpiece.

1. Paint the walls a neutral color

If you’re allowed to paint your walls in a rental (make sure to check with your landlord first), this is a great way to set the modern tone in your space. Whether that be a crisp off-white or a cool grey, neutral wall tones can shift the space from feeling dull to more modern in a few paint strokes.

2. Install open shelves

An open display shelf is a great way to combine clean lines and functionality. For a rustic modern look, try a wooden ladder propped up against the wall and adorned with your favorite decor items.

3. Adorn the room with a natural rug

Modern living rooms often feel too simple, leading to a sterile feeling that just isn’t homey. Add visual interest to the space with textures like a natural rug. A faux cowhide rug, furry rug or even a woven jute rug can break up the monotony of neutral tones and minimalist furniture while maintaining a stylish and inviting atmosphere.

4. Illuminate the room with a simple floor lamp

By incorporating a simple floor lamp into your modern living room decor, you create a well-lit and visually appealing space. This piece offers some creative freedom when it comes to choosing the style of the lamp.

5. Make a statement with an artistic focal piece

A statement art piece serves as the visual center of attention in your living room. It’s the first thing that catches the eye when someone enters the room, which sets the tone for the entire space. This is important in modern design, where bold and captivating art piece breaks the monotony of minimalism and adds intrigue.

6. Opt for acrylic or glass pieces

Acrylic and glass pieces are a great option for working with a limited color scheme. Plus, they look space-age and modern. For example, a transparent coffee table creates sleek sharp lines while naturally matching the colors around it. Acrylic furniture is also inexpensive and is easily repurposed in other rooms.

7. Add smart home technology

Part of the modern aesthetic is the newest and freshest technology. Smart devices complement modern spaces well and seamlessly integrate into the sleek and minimalist design. Think smart lighting, speakers and other on-trend appliances.

8. Go bold with geometric patterns

Introduce modern geometric patterns through rugs and throw pillows to infuse a contemporary vibe. Choosing a pattern that resonates with your personal taste is a great way to add personality to the space as well.

9. Play with decorative mirrors

Mirrors are great decor pieces that naturally reflect light which helps the space feel larger. On top of their benefits related to room size, they’re also neutral when it comes to fitting a color scheme. (And if you liked the one we featured two photos up, we linked to one similar to it here.)

10. Create continuity with strategically placed wood items

Wooden furniture is a staple when it comes to monochromatic living rooms. The natural color of the wood often seamlessly fits into the feel of the room, while remaining a timeless piece with repurposing opportunities in other decor themes down the road.

11. Remove furniture to create negative space

Negative space, which is defined as the intentional creation of empty spots, is a common theme in modernly decorated spaces. Less is more in a modern living room, so purging unnecessary decor items and furniture is a must.

12. Add wall-mounted shelves and open up floor space

If you struggle to fill large open shelving and want to utilize wall space, opt for wall-mounted storage, like floating shelves. This also creates more negative space, helping give your space a more modern feel.

13. Make use of monochrome

Picking one color and using varying shades is the most common theme found in modern decor. The easiest way to go about crafting your color scheme is to select a base color and gather shades, tints and tones of that color. Create depth with contrasting light and dark variations by consulting paint experts or using color templates on Pinterest and other design platforms.

Your modern living room awaits

Incorporating these tips can help you craft a modern living room that exudes confidence and functionality while keeping with the times. With these tips and recommendations, you can easily achieve a modern living space that embraces both contemporary aesthetics and your unique preferences — even without hiring an interior designer.

Remember, modern design is about embracing simplicity and making every piece count, resulting in a space that feels efficient and effortlessly up-to-date. Find your dream apartment to make your modern muse today!

At Rent., our goal is to be the most efficient digital resource to help people find and live in a place they love. We strive to help renters make informed decisions by providing them with valuable information and advice, including money-saving tips, local guides, HD photos and certified ratings and reviews from actual residents.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

July 28, 2023 by Brett Tams

These seven back-to-school savings tips will have your kids ready for another year without busting your budget.

July 28, 2023

New backpacks, calculators, shoes, musical instruments, and books—the shopping list for school supplies seems to get longer each year. It’s no wonder that families with children in elementary through high school planned to spend an average of $890.07—an all-time high—on back-to-school shopping, according to a 2023 National Retail Federation Report.

Clearly, back-to-school season can put a major dent in your budget. So how can you save money on back-to-school shopping?

Fear not. Tiffany Morrison, a personal finance writer, says there are ways to save money that can help ease the financial sting: “Back-to-school shopping can be done without breaking the bank.”

Here are seven tips for saving money this back-to-school season:

1. Plan ahead

The last thing that most parents and caregivers may want to think about during summer break is the next school year. But Morrison says it pays to plan ahead to stay in front of your back-to-school finances.

“Having a plan when it comes to school supplies and new shoes can help you not go over budget,” says Morrison, a mother of two high schoolers.

After all, no one wants to start a new school year in debt.

As soon as you can, Morrison says to make a list of the items your kids may need for the upcoming school year. Think about school supplies, backpacks, shoes, a first-day outfit, other clothes your kids may have outgrown—or anything they might need for extracurricular activities. Be as specific as you can, keeping in mind that your child’s school may not release its school supply list until just weeks before school starts—or sometimes even after it starts.

“Knowing exactly what you’re looking for ahead of time is a big help,” she says. “This way, you aren’t overbuying, which is easy to do when you aren’t prepared and don’t have a plan.”

After building a list, research prices. How much do those must-have shoes cost? How much extra is a backpack with wheels? Tallying up the numbers might reveal that back-to-school shopping will be more expensive than you anticipated. But don’t stress. There are a variety of back-to-school savings tips and clever ways to save money that can help you make it more affordable.

For starters—and in the spirit of preparedness—Morrison recommends setting up a back-to-school savings challenge for yourself.

“This involves setting aside a small amount of money, every paycheck, for a few months,” she says. “That way you’re prepared and not stressed about breaking the bank when that time comes.”

Where should you store those savings for back-to-school shopping? A high-yield online savings account allows your money to grow each month thanks to compound interest. It’s safe and easy to access, and you can even use multiple savings accounts to stay organized as you save toward different goals.

2. Look for midsummer deals

Once you have a list, Morrison recommends mapping out which stores have the items. Back-to-school shopping tips like this help you streamline and prioritize securing those midsummer deals so you don’t miss them.

“A lot of stores start having sales on school uniform clothing and school supplies beginning around July,” Morrison says. She adds that you can also find deals in the end-of-season clearance sections of stores.

“I also check to see which stores have any coupons available,” Morrison says. “And don’t forget to check the mobile apps associated with each store. Sometimes they offer extra savings.”

3. Stock up on back-to-school staples throughout the year

Some school supplies are timeless, and they need to be regularly replaced. Things like notebooks, folders, glue, markers, crayons, pens, and pencils always need to be restocked before the next school year.

For that reason, Morrison says that a great way to save money is to spread out your school-supply shopping throughout the year. By jumping on sales when you see them, you can check off a good chunk of your back-to-school shopping before the summer even begins—and at a fraction of the cost.

Another back-to-school savings tip from Morrison? Sift through the supplies your kids bring home on the last day of school. You may find unused plastic folders or spiral notebooks that can be saved for the upcoming year. You can also stow away items with a longer shelf life, like scissors, rulers, calculators, and protractors, so they stay in good condition.

4. Start meal planning

Morrison saves the most money of all on meals and snacks for her kids. That’s why, when it comes to tips on saving money this back-to-school season, meal planning is her biggest focus.

That doesn’t mean planning every lunch down to the last grape. Instead, Morrison likes to plan her kids’ breakfast, lunch, and dinner around their school and activity schedules.

For example, she says if there’s a busy week of school concerts and soccer games, you might be tempted to make an unplanned detour to the drive-thru on the way home. Instead, Morrison recommends always having an easy-to-prepare meal available for when things get hectic. “A simple sandwich with chips and veggies can go a long way,” she says.

To become a better meal planner, Morrison recommends practicing over the summer so you’ll be prepared when the school year is in full swing.

5. Take advantage of tax-free shopping days

Hitting the stores during tax-free shopping days is a lesser-known tip for saving money this back-to-school season. The downside? Only some states offer them, and they can include residency and product restrictions, so do your research before crossing any state lines for back-to-school shopping.

Tax-free shopping days may be a great way to save money, Morrison says. But she also notes that shops and stores may be busier on those days. One tip: Arrive at stores early to beat the crowds and take advantage of those tax-free back-to-school savings without too much stress or having to deal with sparse inventory.

Morrison notes that not all states offer sales tax holidays—and of those that do, some only reduce a portion of the tax. And be sure to check which items are eligible for the sales tax holiday before planning your back-to-school shopping.

6. Involve your kids in scouting out back-to-school savings

Implementing back-to-school savings tips doesn’t need to be the sole responsibility of parents. Teaching your kids about money and getting them involved in the family budget can help them understand the importance of saving money on back-to-school shopping. In the short term, they’ll feel like part of the team in making smart money decisions. And in the long term, they’ll file away life lessons for managing their own money.

Morrison recommends getting younger kids involved in the savings challenge. Whether they have an allowance or not, you can give them a “bonus” and have them deposit it in a back-to-school savings jar. They’ll see their jar fill up over the summer and can enjoy buying a few back-to-school items with the money.

Older kids can help save money as well. Morrison gives her kids a budget for their clothes and shoes. “If they want something more expensive, they have to help with the difference. They’ll usually stay within budget if they want to save their money.”

7. Make smart saving part of the family

“The older they get, the more expensive they get,” Morrison says. When healthy financial habits are part of your family culture, you can help your kids grow up with the confidence and know-how to make smart money decisions. That will help you manage your back-to-school spending, but it will also set them up for financial success in the long run.

Even during summer break, saving doesn’t need to stop. Finding inexpensive activities for kids can keep the momentum going from one school year to the next—and help you budget more for back-to-school essentials.

Articles may contain information from third-parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third-party or information.

Source: discover.com

Apache is functioning normally

July 18, 2023 by Brett Tams

Are you looking to learn new ways to save money? Here are 37 hacks to save more money with real tips from real people.

In today’s article, I asked my readers and some of my personal finance expert friends for their best tips on how to save money.

I love finding out how people are saving money. There are so many creative and resourceful people, and learning how they are saving money can be very motivational.

Whether you want to save money each month because you are saving up for a big purchase, want to retire early, have recently lost your job, or simply realize you are spending too much – there are ideas in this article for everyone.

From getting free houseplants, cutting your own hair, DIYing things around your home, to analyzing your spending and negotiating your expenses, there are many ways that you can save money. Plus, you can see the exact ways that people and households save money, and how it has impacted them. The responses I collected are quite detailed, which I love.

The money saving ideas in this article are strategies that real people use – some seem very simple, while others take a more complex strategy – and you will read about it in their own words. And trust me, you will be surprised by some of the ideas in this round-up.

If you are looking to save money, I recommend looking over this list and finding a couple of ideas on this list that seem realistic to you.

Not every idea on this list is going to help you save thousands of dollars a month, but every little bit helps.

Plus, seeing the difference that one or two of these money-saving ideas makes on your budget may give you the motivation to try more and really change your life for the better. That might mean paying off your debt faster, improving your financial habits, helping you reach your dream sooner, and more.

Like I said, learning how creative others get when it comes to saving money is very motivational. And if you are already creative with how you save money, you’ll be reminded that what you are doing isn’t “weird” at all – finding ways to save money is completely normal.

You are going to love the hacks, rules, tips, tricks, and strategies that are on this list, and I can’t wait to hear how you are saving money each month.

You can read my past article 60+ Extreme Things People Have Done To Save Money for even more ways that people like you and me save money.

Related content:

37 Hacks To Save More Money

Get free houseplants. “There are many ways to get houseplants that don’t require you to spend any money. Get in touch with a local Buy Nothing group on Facebook or join a local Facebook plant community. Both of these types of Facebook groups offer free plants and you get to meet houseplant hobbyists. You can find local plant groups on Facebook by searching ‘your city + houseplants’ and depending on how big your city is, a few groups should pop up. I’ve personally had a lot of success with plant swaps. Local plant groups often throw plant swap events where you can get plants for free. A plant swap is where you bring plants of your own in hopes to trade for plants you’ve been wanting. I recently went to a plant swap and brought 25 cuttings of different plants and traded every single one. I came home with a wagon full of cuttings and even full plants in pots. The best part was I didn’t have to spend any money.” – Alexis

Cut your own hair. “When I was in university, getting my hair done at the beauty salon was very expensive, and I didn’t have the budget to pay over $200 per month to get my hair done. So I decided to take action and started browsing ways to style my hair on YouTube. After countless hours of watching hair tutorials and trial by error, I taught myself how to style my own hair which is thick and curly. Now I can braid and do other complicated styles on my own, which has been a huge saving for me. People saw my hair and loved it and even asked me to style their own hair as well, it even became a small side hustle!” – Jodi Smith

Contribute to your savings regularly. “Have an investment savings plan that you contribute to monthly. This could be a 401k, an IRA, or even just a savings account that you designate for investment purposes. By having this plan in place and contributing to it regularly, you’ll be less likely to spend your money on unnecessary things because you’ll have specific goals in mind for your investments. I invest 40% of my monthly income into my investment accounts, which allows me to save money for retirement, accumulate wealth, and sleep well at night knowing that my future is taken care of.” – Amira Irfan

Invest in a high-quality capsule wardrobe to save money. “I used to be a sucker for buying a lot of clothes, handbags and accessories, which many ended up going to donation with tags on them. When I realized I was wasting thousands of dollars each year, I turned to building a capsule wardrobe with timeless and high-quality items. This helped me downsize my closet to 30-35 pieces that I actually love and wear. By investing in quality and going for neutral colors, I didn’t feel the urge to buy new (or trendy) clothes for 2-3 years unless I needed to replace something. Not only did I save $300 to $500 per month, but I also saved SO much time! I no longer scramble or stress about what to wear because almost every item – from casual and cozy to formal and classy – can be formed into many different outfits with the same piece of clothing. Not to mention, being intentional with your spending on clothes also reduces waste, which is environmentally-friendly!” – Ling

Don’t touch your savings account. “I have a savings account called ‘DON’T TOUCH 100K’ in which I save money every month. With this account, I have two rules. The first rule is not to withdraw cash from this account ever because if I do, I lose interest for the month. However, I’ve had some months where I had to dip into this account. So, I have a second rule that I must DOUBLE the amount I put back with my next paycheck. For example, if I withdraw $300, I have to put the $300 back plus an additional $300 as a ‘punishment.’ And I can honestly say that this has seriously prompted me to NOT touch my savings account.” – Kristin Brause

Wait for electronic devices to break down before buying new models. “It sounds simple enough, but it takes a lot of discipline. Every time a new model of phone, computer, or whatever comes out, there’s always some new must-have feature that has everyone drooling and throwing away good devices that still work fine. But if you can hang on a little longer, eventually, that device will break down somehow. And then, when you buy the new model, the old one is discounted because it’s not the latest hotness anymore. For example, I used a Samsung cellphone for nearly five years; the gadget saw the good and the bad years. I did not buy a new device until the phone battery wouldn’t last more than an hour after a full charge and the phone’s screen started to ink out. That’s how I roll! It’s not a flawless approach, but the savings count. You may only have to wait a few months/years on occasion.” – Olu Ojo

Save money by going to a medical school. “Have kids who need braces? Crooked teeth aren’t just a cosmetic issue. Tooth alignment is actually very important for overall health and long-lasting teeth. We’re saving about $2,000 per child by bringing our teens to an orthodontic school that accepts our dental insurance. After a modest down payment of a few hundred dollars, our monthly expense with the school is only about $50 per month per patient, interest-free. For big savings on other health needs for your family and even your pets, see if your community has schools such as medical schools, chiropractic schools, veterinary schools, homeopathic schools, massage schools, etc. You can even donate your body to science through a medical school which can save from $600 to $3,000 in cremation expenses.” – Eileen Hubler

We buy meat from a local farm and store it in our deep freeze. “Not only do we get better quality meat, but we are able to save money because of buying it in bulk. At our local farm, we are able to get our meat for about 1/2 the price of other grass-fed options we have available at our grocery store. You can even look into purchasing a whole cow or part of a cow for bigger savings.” – Erin Nutter

Start meal prepping. “Meal prepping can be a huge money saver – if you’re someone like me who hates making time to cook during the week, you probably end up spending a lot of money eating out or on pre-made grocery store food. Once I switched to meal prepping for the week (every Sunday), I started saving up to $50 a week on food and got the added bonus of incorporating a much healthier diet into my life.” – Clair

Grocery shop online. “I love online grocery shopping! It has saved our family of 3 so much money since we started. I don’t have to worry about impulse buying because I can take my time and add things to my cart only when I need them. And if I’m ever worried about going over budget, I can always look at my cart and remove items accordingly. I always hated wasting so much time at the store too so online grocery shopping has not only helped save money but has saved us valuable time each week too!” – Mia

Beginning of season sales/shopping. “Many people are aware of end-of-season sales/shopping, but I prefer beginning-of-season shopping. I shop before the season starts because most people are not thinking about that season at that time. I always buy things when they are not needed the most. The rule of when demand is high, prices are high is applied here too. For example, school supplies shopping can be done in early July instead of waiting till August. If you wait till August, you will miss out on the bargain on school supplies. The bargain sale month for school supplies is in July.” – Mina Miller

Make your own homemade cleaners. “Instead of using store-bought cleaners, I like to save money by making my own homemade cleaners. I can easily make my own in minutes and use ingredients I feel comfortable with for my family. For example, my countertop cleaner costs me less than $1 to make versus $5 or more for a countertop cleaner in the store ” – Julie Sellers

Cut unnecessary spending. “One of the things that has helped me save money (especially during those early debt payoff years) was cutting most unnecessary spending from my budget. Instead of telling myself that ‘I can’t afford that’ or ‘I can’t have any fun,’ I told myself ‘not yet.’ I knew that cutting back on restaurants and shopping was temporary, so it didn’t feel restrictive. I had a strong ‘why’ and built in rewards along the way (i.e buying a new outfit or going out to dinner for every $X amount saved). Keeping some fun spending in my budget and understanding why I was doing what I was doing helped me keep a positive mindset around my finances and it was sustainable for the long term. And at the end of the day, I realized that I didn’t really like shopping every weekend or going to the bar every Friday night with people I barely knew! I was able to save money and hone in on the things that are really worth spending on to me!” – Megan

Go to the library and start thrifting. “I actually have two money saving tips. For context, I homeschool my kids, and we read a LOT of books and play a LOT of board games. Tip 1: Use the library! Our library had a little blurb at the bottom of the receipt when we checked out, saying how much we saved by using our library. I think we easily saved $5,000 a year, if not more (I don’t remember exactly, but did enjoy checking out that number each time). Tip 2: Thrifting! Many of our board games I purchased from the thrift store, as well as really good sales (Miniature Market had a sale and I got a giant box of games; most were just $1), good deals on FB marketplace, even our Buy Nothing group. I have no idea how much this saved us, but probably thousands.” – Ashley Wright

Participate in a no-spend challenge. “One of the ways I save money is to regularly get my family to participate in no-spend challenges. Every time I feel we are falling behind, or we have unexpected expenses come up, my family tries to go a set amount of time without spending any money, other than bills and normal expenses. Sometimes it’s a week long, and sometimes it’s a 30 day challenge. This really helps us reset and get caught up.” – Kayla

Save money with your fish tank. ” I added snails and shrimp to my 20-gallon fish tank. I used to spend a good amount of money on products to keep my aquarium maintained so that my fish could thrive. After several months, I decided to add a few ghost shrimp and nerite snails. Since these help with algae control, debris removal, and getting rid of dead plant matter, I don’t need to clean my 20-gallon tank nearly as often as I used to. I now only spend half of the money I used to spend on aquarium-cleaning products, since these invertebrates do most of the work. Suffice to say that the community in my aquarium (and my wallet) is quite happy!” – Brett Schiller

Carpool. “My money saving tip is to try and carpool to save gas! I do it all the time with my husband, and it saves me gas. If you can get a group of coworkers in on it, you can save a lot of money! Each of you can take a week of driving and with 4 weeks in a month, you may only have to drive once a month, to the office.” – Rob Flood

Review your spending. “It’s much easier to save your hard earned money if you know where it’s going. About a year ago, I went through my credit card statements and found some charges for automatic payments for apps I wasn’t using. I stopped those payments and deleted the apps. I also started to write down, by hand, all of the transactions that came out of my bank each month. This really helps me see where I’m spending money, going out, household frivolous items, even how much I spend at the grocery store. When you take the time to sit and review your spending, it’s easy to cut back and put money into savings.” – Melody Kenoyer

Plan your meals around what you already have. “Instead of making a grocery list of the food you want each week, plan meals from sales and food that’s in the house. Stock up on your favorites when they’re on sale and at their lowest price. Also, look for additional markdowns on discontinued items or fresh foods like meat, dairy, and vegetables that are about to expire. This grocery savings strategy saves my family over $2,000 a year.” – Jennifer Messineo

Dine out less. “Dining out is insanely expensive and it’s hard not to eat out especially when you work at a demanding 9-5 or 9-9 job. A single meal can easily cost $12 to $20 depending on what you buy. And let’s not forget that when you go out with friends to eat at a decent restaurant, your bill could cost over $50 per person, including drinks, tax and tips. So you can imagine how crazy food costs when you don’t cook at home. Given how busy our lives are, this problem can be solved with meal prepping and building a system. To save money and eat healthier on a busy schedule, I have meal prepped for years to save at least $8,000 annually, which is almost $700 per month! You may think this number is out of the ordinary but I encourage you to go through your credit statements to see how much you’re really spending at restaurants. Those numbers may come out and bite you.” – Rui

Eat cereal and ramen. “Groceries and eating out can add up. When I was in college, I cut grocery costs to the bone by eating cereal for breakfast almost every day. A cereal box and a gallon of milk were only a few dollars each and could last all week. I was just as thrifty for lunch, mainly eating ramen and sandwiches. Bread, cold cuts, and cheese are inexpensive, but ramen is even cheaper. A case of ramen is several bucks and has 12 packages. You can add whatever you want to boost the nutrition and protein content.” – Prakash Kolli

Negotiate your monthly bills. “Most people don’t realize that they can negotiate with the providers of things such as cable, internet and cell service. It takes extra time on the phone, but it pays dividends! Asking to speak with the Customer Retention department at the beginning of the call will help to bypass the people who do not have the authority to give customized discounts, thus reducing the time on the call. I put the call on speaker and do computer work or other productive tasks during hold time. When I get to Customer Retention, I explain that I enjoy their service but will have to switch to another provider or eliminate the service entirely if we can’t negotiate a fee I can afford. Companies will do almost anything to keep a customer. It’s cheaper to keep a current customer than to constantly look for a new one. That’s just common sense. In the past, I have negotiated my bills with DirecTV by half, reminding them that I have been a loyal customer for years. After those two year promotion rates end and the bill goes up, the rates can be negotiated back down. They don’t want to lose the customer to another provider who has a two year reduced rate intro. Every time my new negotiated rate goes up, I call and renegotiate. Setting a reminder on my phone a couple of weeks before my current promotion ends helps me to never see a price hike after the fact. Also, many people qualify for a government credit on their cell phone and internet service when they use their household income to qualify. There are tables to check before going through the application process.” – Jamie Howell

Hide money from yourself. “My best money-saving tip is to hide money from yourself. I’m not talking about digging a hole in your backyard to bury money or anything. However, with technology today, it’s easy to immediately move your money into savings or investment accounts without ever seeing it in your primary account. We do this by setting up a separate bank account and having money from my paycheck deposited directly. This method is called the “pay yourself first” approach to budgeting. Out of sight, out of mind. You’ll be surprised how fast money can add up in a separate bank account when you aren’t tempted to spend it regularly.” – Mark

I buy my skincare and beauty products from private label manufacturers. “I’m also creating my own skincare brand using private label products. I have found that many skincare brands don’t actually formulate or make their own products. They buy white label/private label products from manufacturers and put their own branding and labels on the products. You can go direct to the manufacturer and purchase products for your own personal use. Each manufacturer will have its own minimum quantities, so search for one that will meet your needs. I have saved thousands of dollars by purchasing serums, eye creams, exfoliators, masks, and more, all with cosmeceutical-grade ingredients, from private label manufacturers.” – Kylie

Try housesitting to save money on travel. “There’s no question that one of the biggest expenses when traveling is accommodation. It can really make or break the decision of where you can afford to go – and that’s even if you avoid pricey hotels in the center of town. However, one great option that you may have heard of but not given much thought to is house sitting. It’s a fantastic way to stay somewhere for free that may not necessarily be in the most touristy spot in a city, so it gives you the chance to live like a local and save a ton of money. I tried this myself by staying in a beautiful place in Stavanger, Norway while pet sitting someone’s two cats. As a big cat fan, this hardly seemed like work, and it meant that after a long day of visiting the most spectacular fjords you’ll ever see, I got to go home to my (free!) accommodation and join the cats on the warm couch. There are some downsides to this, such as that you may need to factor in a slightly longer travel time to see the main sights, given that you likely won’t be right in the middle of the city. You also do have to be a bit flexible to match the homeowner’s schedule. However, overall, I would definitely recommend this as a way to see some new corners of the world while massively reducing your travel budget.” – Astrid Thornton

I stopped buying milk. “I stopped buying milk completely. There are a couple of reasons for this. I was having health problems at the time and was surprised to learn that conventional dairy had a lot of problems. Also, I discovered that many people with chronic illnesses or even hormonal problems get much better if they cut out dairy (or at least minimize it). Not all milk is bad, but the healthy kind was unavailable to me. (I basically would have had to raise a cow and milk it myself!) I still buy grass-fed butter to help my kids avoid cavities, but I have saved a lot over the years by not buying milk!” – Kristie

Throw away junk mail. “When retrieving the mail from the mailbox, do NOT walk back into the house with all of those catalogs, ads, and flyers to spend. Walk straight into your garage and proceed directly to your recycling bin and deposit all of the spending LURES into the bin.” – Donna Brophy

Only check out your Amazon cart once per week. “I am so guilty of making MULTIPLE Amazon purchases throughout the week, especially when insomnia hits at 3 am, and I find myself browsing Amazon. I now only check out ONCE per week. I add to my cart throughout the week but pick one day a week to sit down, evaluate my cart, and decide if I really need everything or if I can remove some of the impulse purchases.” – Kelly Anne Smith

Get discounted gift cards. “One of the ways I love to save money is by using my credit card points to triple-dip. Chase often offers discounted gift cards each month in their Ultimate Rewards Store. This allows you to redeem your points for a gift card but it ‘costs’ less points that it normally would. My favorite thing to do is to use my points to get Home Depot or Lowes cards when they’re being promoted for 10% fewer points. Using this strategy, I’m able to get $100 gift cards for $90 worth of credit card points. When my husband and I want to work on a project around our home, we use those gift cards to purchase items that are also on sale at the store to further boost our savings!” – Kristin Stones

I buy ETFs. “Most financial bloggers love ‘index and chill’ investing because it guarantees decent returns. Most fund managers can’t beat the benchmark anyways, so if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, right? Well, in my taxable brokerage account, I level up my savings even more by making sure that whenever an index fund has an exchange-traded fund (ETF) version and a mutual fund version, I buy the ETF. Why? The short version: ETFs don’t generate as many ‘taxable events’ as mutual funds, so if all else is equal – the funds are built the same way – the ETF version of an index fund will cost me less in taxes than the mutual fund version. And money saved is money earned.” – Riley Adams

Save $200 in a mutual fund every month, no matter what. “We save $100 every two weeks from one paycheck totaling $200 a month. Though it might not seem like much, it is adding up. My husband and I started doing this together ten years ago. If we have more to save, we do. It has been an easy way to accumulate wealth we don’t have to think much about. We have a financial adviser select the best funds based on our level of risk. Pretending like we don’t have the money is an easy way to save money!” – Ashlee Fechino

Start using your credit card smartly. “When I was 25, I was against using credit cards but one day I started reading about the rewards and discounts I can avail on it. Since then, I realised how much you can save with these cards. The only caution – be responsible. I started using credit cards to pay for most things to gather points. I was able to fill a full tank of fuel almost 2-3 times a year which took care of my road trips. Similarly, we’re planning to use the rewards on our next luxury stay at Oberoi. At the points we have collected, we’ll get almost a $100-$120 discount. Besides this, I’ve also used offers on it. For example, we recently watched Top Gun. On a Citibank card, we had a ticket free on purchase of one ticket. This helped us save money and we were able to spend that on food instead.” – Chhavi Agarwal

Purchase discounted gift cards on Raise. “One of my favorite hacks to save money is to buy discounted gift cards from Gift Card Granny or Raise. You can often purchase gift cards for more popular retailers for a few percent discount; however in some specialty stores, you can save 10 percent or more. Additionally, you can stack discounted gift cards with coupon codes and/or cash back apps. With a little bit of strategic planning it’s not uncommon to save 6 percent or more on your purchase. It might not sound like a lot, but dollars are the sons of pennies, small bits add up over time. My son needed a new Xbox controller, so we purchased a digital gift card from Raise at a 6 percent discount which we were able to combine with 5% percent cash back from Rakuten. Combined we saved over ten percent, and with prices constantly rising every little bit helps.” – Michael Dinich

Restrict access to funds. “As someone who tends to spend readily available funds, I have found that keeping money in limited or no-access accounts helps greatly. I have a fixed savings account where the bulk of my savings goes until a predetermined time. I also have a flexible savings account I can fall back on if I run out of disposable funds. Here’s a breakdown of my accounts to facilitate saving: 1) A disposable account for paying bills and miscellaneous spending. 2) Accessible savings account for saving and backup funds. 3) And a fixed savings account with no access to funds. Keeping these three accounts has helped me organize my spending and improve my saving habits. Since it works for me, I’m confident it might work for you too.” – Jude Uchella

Save money while traveling. “My family and I have been able to save hundreds/thousands of pounds (or dollars) since the summer by house and pet sitting. We only say in houses we really like and in areas we want to explore/travel to. These are houses we would have booked as airbnb, but now stay in them for free saving us thousands. We’ve spent the last 5 weeks in luxury homes for free and have more homes scheduled for the rest of the year. With this, there is no need to pay for accommodation when traveling and you can find a house to sit literally all over the world. You can run a quick google search for local house sitting opportunities, or join larger international services like https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/” – Eunice Asante

Earn bonus money on your emergency fund. “I safely earn over $3,000 yearly by strategically signing up for bank bonuses and depositing my emergency funds in that bank. The ROI for only a few minutes of work is high, and my emergency funds are earning 8-10% FDIC insured with no risk. Banks routinely offer a bonus to open new accounts and have attractive promotions such as ‘deposit $5,000 and get $1,500 bonus in 3 months.’ Your local credit unions to larger National banks like Chase, Citi, and Wells Fargo offer these bonuses. You can switch to another bank (to earn the next bonus) as soon as the promo period (3 to 6 months) is over.” – John Dealbreuin

Save money on your wedding. “Seek out alternatives to the standard products and services you’d use for events such as a wedding. Instead of going with a traditional wedding-specific option, if you can find comparable services or products from a more general supplier, you will likely save money! For example, instead of hiring a professional to arrange flowers, you could opt for faux flowers for your wedding bouquets. Doing things yourself is also an option, especially if you have more time than money to spend!” – Jessica Bishop

What do you do to save money? Which of the tips above is your favorite?

Apache is functioning normally

June 11, 2023 by Brett Tams

When you’re young and adventurous, international travel is the dream. You jump at any opportunity to go abroad without a second thought, start packing your suitcase, and promise yourself you’ll work out the details later.

Source: Giphy.com

But traveling — especially post-pandemic traveling — requires a bit of planning if you want a safe, inexpensive, and (relatively) stress-free trip. ️

Whether you’re traveling with friends or going solo, staying for one week or six months, traveling is much easier when you plan ahead with money-saving tips. Here are our best ideas to make your next international trip easy on your mind and your wallet.

What’s Ahead:

1. Be flexible with your dates and destinations

If you have flexibility in terms of where and when you travel, you have a major advantage: the ability to plan your trip around whatever amazing deal you can find. Without limitations on where and when you can travel, you can search within a specific timeframe or geographical area and shop around for low airfare and accommodations.

If you’re totally set on a particularly expensive destination, try to plan your trip for the off-season. You can often save big by traveling during less popular times, even in expensive areas. Conversely, if you have a specific window of time for travel, shop around for a destination that offers a good bang for your buck for that time of year.

A little flexibility goes a long way when you want to save on international travel.

Read more: Affordable international travel destinations that won’t empty your wallet

2. Decide what’s important to you and prioritize your spending

Before you hop on a plane with cash burning a hole in your pocket, take some time to think about your spending plan while you’re away.

I don’t necessarily mean you have to budget — although if that’s your style, stick with it. What I do suggest is you think about how you want to spend your money while traveling — starting with what’s most important to you.

Do you want a direct flight, or is a layover okay?
Do you love museums, or is seeing one enough?
Do you want to stay in a specific neighborhood, or wherever’s affordable?
Are you a big foodie, or is your dining experience an afterthought?

For example, if food is your thing, plan to spend big at restaurants. You’ll probably have to cut back in other categories — like lodging, cultural attractions, or transportation — but that’s okay. Giving this some thought before your trip will help you prioritize your favorite things.

Read more: How to travel for cheap: 7 ways to see the world for less

3. Get travel insurance

If you’ve traveled at all since COVID-19 upended the world, you know how different it is. After months — even years — of lockdown, many of us are jumping at the chance to travel abroad again. But after enduring such a lull in travel, it’s even more disappointing when things don’t work out.

That’s why travel insurance is a lifesaver.

The last thing you want is to plan an epic trip and miss half of it due to a flight cancellation. So even though you might bristle at the added expense of travel insurance, work it into your budget and enjoy the priceless feeling of security should something go wrong.

Like credit cards and bank accounts, there are lots of options when it comes to travel insurance. Several popular credit cards provide travel insurance, so you might already be covered. If not, shop around for a policy that fits your needs and budget. Sites like SquareMouth.com, TravelInsurance.com, and InsureMyTrip.com can help.

Read more: Best credit cards for travel insurance

4. Save digital copies of important documents

You know that feeling when you misplace your phone? Your stomach kind of drops, and panic sets in. (And approximately 12 seconds later you find it on the kitchen table.)

Imagine that feeling — x100 — when you misplace your passport while traveling internationally.

I know — you’ll do your best to keep all your stuff secure and organized. But things happen, you misplace this, you forget that. You’re human, and you should have a backup plan.

Make digital copies of all your important documents before you leave. Store them in multiple places, and make sure they’re accessible to you while abroad. I suggest making copies of the following documents:

Passport
Travel insurance paperwork
Vaccination information
Visa
Driver’s license
Travel itinerary

Store photos on your phone, in your email, in the cloud, and give copies to a trustworthy person at home.

5. Learn language basics

If you’re traveling to a country that speaks another language, take some time to learn key phrases and words.

Learning a new language opens all kinds of doors when you travel. The better you can communicate with locals, the more you’ll get out of your trip. Plus, having some basic language skills means you can better navigate outside of the main touristy areas — potentially saving you money by staying, eating, and shopping in under-the-radar locales.

Learning language basics can also give you a better cultural understanding of wherever you’re traveling. Not to mention locals will appreciate your interest in their language and culture.

If you’re thinking there’s no way you’ll ever learn to speak another language, start small. You don’t have to be fluent to reap the rewards of language skills. Instead, think about some simple words and phrases you know you’ll need often.

There are tons of accessible, free ways to learn a new language these days. You can download an app like Duolingo or Memrise, join a language exchange, or even take a community college class.

6. Have some local cash before you land

There are a million and one things to plan when traveling abroad, and it’s easy to neglect to get local cash before departing. You might just plan to use your card and withdraw money when you get there — but you can’t always count on this strategy.

You never know when you’ll have trouble with a card, and you’ll definitely need money when you land — to feed yourself and get to your lodging, at a minimum. So take the extra step of getting some local currency before you even step foot on the plane. And be sure you have enough to get situated when you get there.

Oh, and don’t wait until you get to the airport to exchange your cash. If you go to your bank or credit union, you’ll pay a lot less in fees and pay lower exchange rates than you will at an airport kiosk.

7. Get a local SIM card for your phone

Roaming data and temporary data passes are expensive, and there are better — and cheaper — ways to use your phone abroad.

Of course, you can always connect to Wi-Fi. But if you want to be able to use your phone without a Wi-Fi connection — say, to find the nearest pub while walking the rural English countryside — you can avoid exorbitant roaming fees by buying a local SIM card instead.

After you land at your destination, go to a local telecom store and buy a SIM card. Look for a pay-as-you-go or temporary SIM, which you might see being marketed to travelers. Choose a popular telecom store with lots of locations — that way, if you have issues later on, it’s easier to find help.

All you have to do is replace your regular SIM card with the temporary one (unless your phone allows dual SIM cards — then you can have both in at once) and make sure your roaming data is turned off. Voila! You’ve got yourself a working phone.

8. Stay in a local neighborhood

Rather than paying an arm and a leg for a bland hotel in the main tourist zone, look for a rental in a local neighborhood when planning your accommodations abroad. Aside from getting a unique experience, there are lots of benefits to doing this:

You can often save money by staying even a short walk from the hot spots
You’ll experience more of the local culture and cuisine
You can meet the locals — whether it’s an Airbnb host, a barista down the block, or a neighbor

If you’re traveling somewhere for an extended period of time (and depending on your risk tolerance), you can wait to find your long-term accommodations until you get there. Find a place to stay for a week or two while you get a feel for the area and chat with the locals. You’ll have a much better idea of where you want to be — plus some insider tips — by getting situated first.

9. Book a walking tour

If you ask me, there’s no better way to explore a new city than on foot. You see more, you start to orient yourself, and you can stop in whatever shops, cafes, and museums you see along the way.

To start your trip off on the right foot (literally), book a walking tour as soon as you arrive. They’re a great way to immediately learn about the city and scope out the places you want to revisit. Plus, walking tours allow you to meet other travelers. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll likely meet other people interested in exploring with you.

They don’t cost much — in fact, a quick Google search usually turns up lots of free walking tours.

10. Use local currency when paying with a credit card

When you’re traveling abroad and paying with a credit card, you may be prompted to choose between local currency or U.S. dollars when checking out. You may not realize it, but you’ll likely pay more by selecting your home currency.

Even if your card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, there’s usually a fee associated with paying in your home currency. The only real benefit is seeing what you’re paying in terms of the currency you’re familiar with. But this convenience comes at a price — usually around 3% of the charge — which can really add up over time. If prompted, always choose the local currency when paying with a credit card.

11. Use public transit

One of the best ways to save money when traveling abroad is to use public transit. And I promise it’s not as scary as it seems!

The reality is, Ubers, Lyfts, and cabs will quickly eat away at your budget. While convenient, they’re not cheap. If you can, rely on public transit to get where you need to go.

Depending on where you’re traveling, public transit may include:

Trains
Buses
Subways
Trams
Ferries

The ins and outs of navigating public transit vary widely, but it’s not as intimidating as it looks. Taking public transit will give you a chance to practice a foreign language and give you more of a local’s perspective on the city.

Plus — and I can tell you from experience — you’ll feel a huge sense of accomplishment (and relief) after navigating a foreign city’s public transit system.

One more note: it’s not a bad idea to set aside an emergency stash of money for a cab. If you’re out late or, for whatever reason, don’t feel safe taking the bus or train home, a cab is always worth the peace of mind.

12. Make use of grocery stores

No, you don’t have to go full Julia Child while abroad, but grocery shopping and cooking in a new country is a worthwhile adventure in itself. Plus, shopping for snacks, groceries, and ingredients — and cooking meals yourself — can save you a fortune while traveling.

When I went to Iceland, my flights and rental car were relatively inexpensive. Meals out, however, were pricey. I ended up saving a lot of money by shopping for groceries and cooking at home. There were some… interesting meals, but I saved money I wanted to spend on other things — like museums and awesome lodging.

If your hotel room, rental, or hostel has a kitchen, you can cook simple meals at home. Have fun browsing the shelves at grocery stores, specialty shops, and farmer’s markets for fresh and exotic ingredients, and see what culinary masterpiece you can cook up.

If your lodging doesn’t include a kitchen, you can still stock up on snacks. You can easily piece together a cheap and delicious picnic with grab-and-go-items.

Read more: 9 ways to save money on food and drinks while traveling

13. Check out local meet-ups

No matter how far from home you are, you can find community at a variety of local meet-ups. A quick online search can help you find free local meet-ups in whatever city you’re in — no need to spend on every experience while traveling. Plus, if you’re traveling solo, you’re almost guaranteed to meet other solo people with similar interests as you.

Not sure where to start? Check out these ideas for inspiration:

Creative Mornings — a live gathering of creatives who want to inspire, connect with, and learn from one another.
FuckUp Nights — a series of events showcasing stories of professional failure, vulnerability, and empathy.
MeetUp.com — a platform to help you find groups, events, and activities wherever you are.

If you meet locals during your stay, ask them about local events and meetups. It goes without saying, but stick to gatherings that feel safe.

Summary

International travel isn’t out of reach — especially if you take the time to plan wisely. There are lots of great ways to save on flights, food, transportation, and accommodations, as long as you’re willing to do your research.

Remember to take care of yourself and be a responsible traveler, too. The more effort you put into planning a safe, responsible, and wallet-friendly trip, the more enjoyable it will be.

Featured image: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 2, 2023 by Brett Tams

Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

Your beautiful, food-bearing refrigerator, sad to say, will not last forever.

They certainly last longer than, say, a light bulb, but expect to go fridge shopping every dozen years or so.

Before that time comes, you’ll want to start saving up, so you don’t wake up one day to a warm fridge full of rapidly-rotting food, and no money to replace the thing.

As with most things in life, there’s a best time to buy your refrigerator, and it turns out that might well be the month of May.

Semi-scientific analysis (like the kind Beakman used to do, only with better hair) has shown that refrigerators, unlike pretty much every other appliance on the planet, regards May as its Happy New year.

That’s the month when manufacturers will roll out the latest models, meaning the old ones need to go, and FAST.

So you’re far more likely to get a nice, steep discount on last year’s perfectly good fridge models during the month of flowers than any other time of year.

This might be surprising to you, since general knowledge states that most appliances are cheapest in September and October, when the latest models come out to play.

Why Big Fridge decided to do it in May, we have no idea.

Maybe they knew with the warmer months, we’d need something good and sturdy to store all those cold, refreshing drinks that’ll keep us going through the hot summer?

Or maybe they just chose the month out of a hat and ran with it. You never know with those faceless industry leader types.

OK, so you’ve committed to making a new refrigerator the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

Here are some other money-saving tips to keep in mind, so as to drive that price down as far as possible:

Go Shopping on a Weekday

As anybody who’s braved claustrophobic parking lots on the weekends knows, that tends to be the time most people do their shopping.

You, though, should be different.

Pick a random Wednesday, use a personal day at work (or hack mightily into the phone and complain of the Plague, that works too), and hit the local appliance store.

Prices may not be advertised as cheaper, but there’ll be much less rush, less competition to buy the best model on the sales floor, if you catch the right salesperson at the right time, you might just get yourself a bit of an “I like you” discount.

Memorial Day Super Sale

Memorial Day is a special time of year, when we celebrate our veterans by hitting the mall and drooling over anything with a 50% off tag attached to it.

This goes for major appliances like refrigerators as well, especially since the sale already occurs in a month where the old models are on semi-liquidation.

That one-two punch could net you hundreds, and possibly thousands of dollars in savings.

The End of the Month

If you can’t get away from your barbecue long enough to take advantage of a great Memorial Day sale, at least try to get to the store sometime at the end of May.

That’s when appliance dealers will be at their most desperate, because those shiny new models are coming in just days from then, and the last thing they want is to write off the old stuff as a 100% loss.

If they can get at least SOME money from you in exchange for them, that’s infinitely preferable than getting none.

Time it just right, and you could be walking about with a $1500 fridge for under $500. Now that’s how you save.

For those last two suggestions, by the idea, just hand Mom on IOU on her special day, and deliver the fridge later.

She’ll understand, especially if you stick flowers in the crisper drawer.

Mary Hiers is a personal finance writer who helps people earn more and spend less.

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Apache is functioning normally

June 1, 2023 by Brett Tams

This story is from Karl Boericke. He is the author of The Frugal Berry, money-saving tips of all kinds for home, office, and small business.

In 1990, I was honorably discharged from the Navy and quickly found a job in an electronics manufacturing company as a technician in their test department. While renting an apartment at the time, I wondered how I would ever be able to afford to buy a house with my meager salary. I had heard that buying a duplex was an inexpensive way to live and build equity in a home.

After looking at a few mobile homes and quickly realizing the long-term downside to such an “investment,” it became clear that buying a duplex was my best realistic ticket to home ownership. I lucked out in finding a great real estate agent who gave me some sage advice. Even though I could buy a duplex with a VA loan with almost NO cash up-front, she advised me to use an FHA first-time buyer mortgage. This would cost me some money at purchase, but it would give me the possibility of using my VA loan in the future for my “next duplex.” This thought stimulated my imagination, and seemed like an impossibility at the moment, but I followed her advice and kept this long-term idea in storage for another time.

Before I bought my first duplex, I was spending $525 per month to rent a studio apartment that consisted of a kitchen, bathroom with stand-up shower, and an all-purpose room that held my bed, dresser, couch, and a small TV placed on top of my file cabinet. After buying, I was now living in luxury. I had two bedrooms, a living room, a spacious kitchen with laundry hookup, and a full bathroom. I was now renting out a one-bedroom apartment below me for $425 per month, and my mortgage payment was $653 per month, which included real estate taxes, mortgage interest and insurance. This meant that my effective cost of housing per month went from $525 while renting to $228 for more space and home ownership.

Twenty-five months later, I bought my second duplex. This time I used my VA loan, and had very few out-of-pocket costs at closing. I moved into this new duplex to satisfy the loan requirements, and lived there for five years before getting married and buying a single home.

At this point my duplexes were paying for themselves, generating some additional income, and building equity that didn’t suffer even in the most recent housing tumble. Anyone who has watched the movie “Pacific Heights” knows the possible downside to being a landlord. Luckily I did not watch this movie until I was a year into my second duplex.

I had a huge learning curve as a landlord, but never had to evict anyone through the legal system. Twice the tenant and I came to a “mutual understanding,” and they were out by the end of the month.

Maintenance came easy for me, but even if I had to pay contractors to take care of any issues, I still would have been saving money like crazy. The dollar figures have changed over the past 20 years or so and mortgage requirements are changing, but the investment opportunities are just the same, or even better in the current housing market.

If you are renting an apartment, living paycheck to paycheck, I highly recommend that you consider buying a duplex. It doesn’t cost anything to look, and if nothing else you will be more educated on your possible options for the future.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

May 27, 2023 by Brett Tams

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Updated Mar 09, 2023

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MetLife could be a good choice for various life, health or other medical insurance policies. However, its options are only sold as employer-provided group insurance plans. Additionally, MetLife no longer sells auto or home insurance policies; those products are now provided by Farmers Insurance.

Extra benefits, including financial planning and grief counseling, are available
Numerous other types of medical coverage available

Info

What’s new with MetLife?

In April 2021, Farmers Insurance finalized the acquisition of MetLife’s home and auto insurance divisions. Going forward, MetLife Insurance will focus on life, health and pet insurance, as well as financial products like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and employer-sponsored retirement plans.

MetLife life insurance

MetLife life insurance could be a good choice if the company provides your employer’s group life or health offerings. MetLife got its start in 1863 and has grown tremendously in the time since. Although Farmers Insurance purchased MetLife’s auto and home business, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company continues to operate independently. The company provides life insurance through employer-sponsored plans and groups.

However, the life insurance coverage types are relatively limited. Additionally, MetLife uses numerous underwriting companies, so your coverage may not actually come directly from MetLife. Our MetLife life insurance review breaks down the company’s offerings, to help you choose the right type of life insurance for your needs:

Term: MetLife offers basic, supplemental and dependent term life coverage. Some types of coverage are employer-paid, while others are paid by the employee. Term life insurance may be especially popular with young families or for those who only need coverage for a short period of time, usually 10, 20 or 30 years.
Permanent: MetLife offers two types of permanent life insurance coverage: group universal and group variable universal life. There is no whole life insurance. Permanent policies may be a better choice for older adults who need the coverage to last the rest of their lifetimes.

Group universal: Universal life insurance offers flexible options, allowing you to adjust your death benefit and premium as your needs change. MetLife’s universal life insurance offering is only available as a group plan.
Group variable universal: Variable universal life is similar to a standard universal life policy, but it includes an investment component that makes it a more complex financial product. To learn more about MetLife’s group variable universal life policy, contact the company directly.

MetLife life insurance endorsements

If you’re searching for the best life insurance, you may want to consider adding endorsements to your policy to more closely align your coverage with your needs. Unfortunately, MetLife does not list any information about riders on its website. This may be because MetLife focuses on employer-sponsored plans; different endorsement options might be available based on the agreement with each employer. To learn about life insurance riders from MetLife, contact the company directly or discuss your options with your employer (if MetLife provides your group life insurance options).

Keep in mind that riders will likely increase the cost of your life insurance, so you may not get the cheapest life insurance policy if you add them. However, the added protection may be well worth the extra cost, depending on your situation.

MetLife life tools and benefits

In addition to life insurance, MetLife also offers additional services to its members. Beneficiaries may be able to take advantage of the company’s grief counseling and checklists to help foster a sense of stability when a loved one passes. The company also offers funeral discounts, funeral planning services, will preparation services and transition planning.

MetLife customer satisfaction

If you’re shopping around and comparing life insurance quotes, customer satisfaction is an important area to consider. Life insurance rates may not vary between companies as much as home or auto insurance rates do — rates mostly depend on your age, health, the policy type you choose and how much life insurance you need — so looking at other aspects of each company can help you find the right option.

J.D. Power is a consumer data analytics company that puts out several service-oriented studies each year. MetLife has an above-average score in the 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study. Remember that MetLife no longer sells individual life insurance policies, so this score reflects its service to the customers who already own individual policies. However, it could still be a helpful metric, knowing that individual life customers seem to be generally satisfied with the service experience.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioner (NAIC) does give MetLife a complaint index for group life policies, which may be more helpful. A complaint index of 1.00 represents a normal or average number of complaints. MetLife’s group life insurance product has a score of 0.61. This means that the NAIC received fewer complaints about MetLife than average, which indicates a high level of service.

Finally, a company’s financial strength can be a useful tool, as it showcases a company’s historical ability to pay claims. MetLife has several different AM Best financial strength ratings, based on the underwriting companies it uses. Two of its companies, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, have A+ (Superior) AM Best financial strength ratings. American Life Insurance Company and MetLife Insurance K.K. (which operates in Japan) are not rated by AM Best.

How to file a claim with MetLife

Filing a life insurance claim is an emotional endeavor, but MetLife seeks to make it as seamless as possible. If you are the beneficiary of a MetLife life insurance policy and need to file a claim, you can:

If you call for help, you’ll likely still have to fill out a claim form, but you may be guided by a licensed agent to ensure you choose the correct one. You may also need to provide additional documentation, such as a death certificate.

MetLife availability

MetLife is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Product offerings may vary by state and MetLife’s agreement with your employer.

Other MetLife perks worth considering

MetLife’s product offerings are more limited as it no longer sells personal lines insurance coverage, but you may be interested in a few of its additional offerings:

Dental insurance: MetLife offers a number of dental insurance plans, including PPO plans, HMO/managed care plans and plans for veterans.
Vision insurance: MetLife’s various vision insurance options may help you save on exams, glasses and contacts. Some plans even offer discounts on LASIK eye surgery.
Pet insurance: Pet insurance is like healthcare coverage for your animal. This is one of the few plans that MetLife sells both individually and through employers.
Retirement solutions: In addition to insurance products, you might be able to use MetLife for your retirement plan too, if your employer offers this perk.

Keep in mind that MetLife doesn’t sell individual policies any longer. If your employer offers group life insurance through MetLife, you’ll need to work with your employer to gain access to these products.

MetLife corporate sustainability

MetLife could be a great option for consumers who are looking for companies with strong social responsibility programs. Since 1976, the MetLife Foundation has donated nearly $1 billion to help strengthen communities. The company is also focused on sustainability and has won numerous awards for its sustainability program. Finally, MetLife is focused heavily on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), outlining priorities to help foster a more diverse environment.

Not sure if MetLife is right for you?

Finding the right life insurance company for your needs involves doing some research to see which carriers closely align with your situation. One of the first steps is figuring out how much coverage you need, which you can do with the help of a licensed agent or even a life insurance calculator. Next, take a look at your needs and decide what policy type is best for you. Then you can start to look at carriers to see if they offer what you need. If you’re not sure if MetLife is right for you, these companies could be good options:

MetLife vs. Nationwide

If you’re looking for universal life coverage, Nationwide could be a good fit. The carrier offers high coverage limits and highly customizable policies that could fit a wide range of needs. Nationwide also offers auto and home insurance, along with numerous other insurance and financial products, and its life insurance products are available to individuals.

Learn more: Nationwide Insurance review

MetLife vs. MassMutual

If you need whole life insurance, which MetLife does not offer, MassMutual could be worth a look. The company has the highest AM Best financial strength rating possible and a long list of whole life insurance riders for personalization. MassMutual also offers universal and variable universal life, if you’re looking for those options without having to be part of a group plan like you would with MetLife.

Learn more: MassMutual Life Insurance review

MetLife vs. State Farm

The insurance behemoth could be a great choice for those seeking the best term life insurance. Additionally, the availability of local offices may be appealing to those who like to handle their insurance needs in person. State Farm offers numerous other insurance products and banking products, too, so it could be a good choice if you want to keep all your financial products in one place.

Learn more: State Farm Insurance review

Is MetLife a good insurance company?

MetLife might be a good life insurance company if your employer offers coverage for you. The company has generally high customer satisfaction reviews and offers helpful tools to beneficiaries, like funeral planning services and grief counseling. However, MetLife no longer sells individual policies like many of the other life insurance carriers we’ve reviewed, so it won’t be an option unless you can purchase coverage through your employer.

Clock Wait

10+

years of industry experience

53

carriers reviewed

15+

product types analyzed

50

states examined

Source: thesimpledollar.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 18, 2023 by Brett Tams

Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

Last month’s average temperatures nationwide were the second highest ever recorded, and July is showing no signs of relief. The hot weather paired with many large utilities already raising customer rates means that Minters could see their highest utility bills ever this year.

Luckily, there are steps you can take now to reduce the cost of cooling your home. So sit back, pour yourself a cold drink and take advantage of these tips to keep your utility bill from heating up.

Replace Your Air Filters

You should be replacing your air filters once a month, especially during the summer. Dirty filters restrict airflow, which means the air conditioner runs longer and uses more energy. Replacing a clogged filter will reduce your energy consumption by up to 15%! Buy several filters at once and create a recurring calendar reminder on your phone.

Cool Down Your Bed, Not The Room

Feeling hot when you try to fall asleep is uncomfortable at best, but running the air conditioning all night is the quickest way to a steep energy bill. Instead of turning down the temperature on your thermostat, consider purchasing a bed fan or cooling mat. Bed fans are special bed-height units that send cool air between your bed sheets, using much less energy than central air or a wall unit. Cooling mats use no energy at all! Just pop it in the refrigerator during the day, and place in your bed when you’re ready to turn in for the night.

Consider a Smart Thermostat

Your thermostat controls half of your energy bill, so any cost savings strategy deserves a long look at that tiny box on your wall. Thermostat innovator Nest reports that a correctly programmed thermostat – ones that make adjustments based on your activity – can save about 20% on your heating and cooling bill. In fact, average annual savings with the Nest Learning Thermostat is $173/year – with units costing around $250, you’ll see a return on your investment in your second year.

You can use Nest’s online tool to calculate how much money you can save based on your location, home size and system specifications. Even if you don’t have a smart thermostat, don’t forget: adjusting your temperature just one degree can cut your energy use up to 5%.

Get an Estimate for Radiant Barriers

If you live in a region with prolonged hot temperatures, updating your home’s insulation is a great option for reducing cooling costs for good. Radiant barriers – also known as reflective insulation – reflect heat away from the home.

Heat travels in three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation. Traditional insulation materials slow conductive and convective heat flow, but do not account for radiant heat that travels through your roof and into your house. Radiant barriers are easiest to install in new construction, but can be installed in your existing house, especially if it has an open attic. Studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate.

What are some tips and tricks you use to keep things cool around your house? Share with us in the Comments or on Twitter with #MyMintTips.

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Can you make your bank accounts work for you?

How can students save money?

Shop at consignment and thrift stores

Buy used textbooks

Think about meal planning

Explore free activities

Ask for student discounts

Get a cheap coffee maker

Rethink the car

Track your savings

Where should college students keep their savings?

Rewards checking account

High-yield savings account

CD

Retirement account

Why not start saving while in college?

Assess your income and expenses

Create your college student budget

1. Create your spending categories.

2. Choose a type of budget.

3. Optimize your budget regularly.

Prioritize essential expenses

Manage your fixed and variable expenses

Save for emergencies

Start building your financial foundation today

Creating a sleek space is simple and can involve elevating pieces you already own.

What makes a modern space, modern?

Modern vs. Contemporary: Telling Them Apart

Modern

Contemporary

13 modern living room tips to update your space

1. Paint the walls a neutral color

2. Install open shelves

3. Adorn the room with a natural rug

4. Illuminate the room with a simple floor lamp

5. Make a statement with an artistic focal piece

6. Opt for acrylic or glass pieces

7. Add smart home technology

8. Go bold with geometric patterns

9. Play with decorative mirrors

10. Create continuity with strategically placed wood items

11. Remove furniture to create negative space

12. Add wall-mounted shelves and open up floor space

13. Make use of monochrome

Your modern living room awaits

1. Plan ahead

2. Look for midsummer deals

3. Stock up on back-to-school staples throughout the year

4. Start meal planning

5. Take advantage of tax-free shopping days

6. Involve your kids in scouting out back-to-school savings

7. Make smart saving part of the family

37 Hacks To Save More Money

Related Posts

1. Be flexible with your dates and destinations

2. Decide what’s important to you and prioritize your spending

3. Get travel insurance

4. Save digital copies of important documents

5. Learn language basics

6. Have some local cash before you land

7. Get a local SIM card for your phone

8. Stay in a local neighborhood

9. Book a walking tour

10. Use local currency when paying with a credit card

11. Use public transit

12. Make use of grocery stores

13. Check out local meet-ups

Summary

Read more:

Go Shopping on a Weekday

Memorial Day Super Sale

The End of the Month

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