Categories
Health & Home Wellness

Cut Down On These Habits And See What Happens

Cut Down On These Habits And See What Happens

If you think you have a lot going on in your life and want to experience a change, try cutting down on these habits. Not only will they make your life easy and less busy, but they also help reduce the extra costs. This may sound like a fun experiment to you, but it is more than that. These are all good decisions that you can make to improve the functionality and efficiency of your life. Let’s have a look at what you can do to break habits and lead a better life.

Stop Buying Extra Stuff To Save Money

You can think of this list to any kind of list that can help you save money, time, and energy. However, we are specifically referring to a grocery or shopping list. A lot of people tend to buy extra stuff that they don’t really need when they are out grocery shopping.

Some people make it a habit to buy a specific thing every time they head out to the market. Most of the time, they are just collecting the same thing and hoarding it without making any use of it. What does it do for you?

You spend money on something that you don’t need and already have sitting at home. Moreover, things that are not needed but are still there take up storage space in your house.

Reduce Your Coffee Purchase Habits

It is normal and completely acceptable if you love your coffee. A lot of people can’t function without their daily dose of caffeine. But when you spoil yourself by getting a coffee on your way to work, it can rack up your expenses. If you are one of those people, the chances are that you spend a good fraction of money on just coffee.

You will realize how much you spend on coffee if you calculate how much it adds to when you get a coffee every day. Well, you can save that money by trying to make your morning coffee at home. Moreover, this will result in a reduced coffee reliance as it will reduce the amount of caffeine you take in each day.

Limit Dining Out To Save Money

Dining out can feel good and make any moment special. However, you should not ignore that it is also very costly at the same time. Dining out is a special occasion on its own, so cut down on how often you eat out. You can reserve it for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

Most people stop by to have lunch on their way or go out for dinners when they’re just feeling lazy. This only adds up to spending extra money when it is not necessarily needed. It is better to get active and cook dinner and lunch at home to cut down on extra spending. You can go out on special days to keep celebrating any special events.

Conclusion

Saving money and breaking years-long habits is not easy, and you will find it quite hard to begin. You may also feel like giving up when you have a rough time. However, you will also find the results to be really rewarding and satisfying.

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Financial Savings

How To Save Money On Utility Bills This Winter

How To Save Money On Utilities This Winter

Winter is cold for a lot of the United States. Winter is known for its snow and ice and below-freezing temperatures. While it can be a beautiful time of year, it can also become expensive.

Utility bills sometimes skyrocket during the cold months. If you want your home to be at a cozy temperature, your furnace may have to work extra hard, raising your bills to all-time highs.

But what if you are on a budget and cannot afford higher winter utility bills? Continue reading below to find out our top ways to save money on your utility bills this winter.

Insulate Your Home

Having a well-insulated home is crucial to keeping your utility bills low. Insulation will keep warm air inside and the cold air outside. Your furnace won’t work as hard to heat up your home when you have well-insulated walls, doors, and windows.

Open Curtains This Winter

This may sound inaccurate, but it is true. Having open curtains in the winter can allow the sun to shine through. The sun is a natural form of heat and can allow your home to warm up during the day. Be sure to close them at night when the sun goes down.

Keep Your Thermostat Lower

If you want lower utility bills you can try keeping your thermostat a degree or two lower. While it may not be as warm as you would like, it will reduce the amount you are spending.

Replace Furnace Filters This Winter

Replacing your furnace filter regularly, especially at the beginning of winter, will help your furnace work properly. You will know when to replace your filter when it has a layer of dust or dirt covering it.

Add Weatherstrips To Doors And Windows

If you add weatherstrips to your doors and windows it can be a great way to lower your utility bills. Weatherstrips will block and breeze or cold air from coming into your house.

Buy A Smart Thermostat

Buying a smart thermostat can help reduce your utility bills as well. The new technology in these thermostats is more accurate and precise than older thermostats. They will regulate your temperature and allow you to set them from your phone.

Check Your Vents This Winter

Sometimes people forget to check their air vents and don’t realize that they are blocked. A blocked air vent won’t allow the warm air from the furnace to be disbursed into your home. Your furnace will have to work double to accommodate the blocked vent.

Turn Down Your Water Heater

During the winter you may enjoy a hot shower. But having your water heater set too high can also mean a higher utility bill. Adjust your water heater’s temperature a few degrees to help save money.

The Take-Away

Although winter can be a more expensive time of year for utilities, it doesn’t have to be. With some adjustments and quick fixes, you can help alleviate the high bills and still be just as cozy and warm.

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Financial

How to Write a Check: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Write a Check: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing checks is not as complicated as many newbies think it is. Our world has turned digital, this made writing a check almost a thing of the past. But, sometimes it is still something you will have to do.

If you have never written a check, you may need to learn how to fill one out. In this article, we will learn how to write out a check. Continue reading for our step-by-step guide.

Step 1

The first thing you will need to do is rip off the first check on the perforated line. If you haven’t used a check from your checkbook before, your check number in the top right corner will likely start at number 01.

Step 2

Once you have your check, you will need to fill out the date. The date is located below the check number in the top right corner.

Be sure to date it correctly, as a wrong date can void the check.

Step 3

The next step is to make the check out to whoever it is going to. This line may be filled out to the name of a person or a business. Check your spelling to make sure it exactly matches who the check is going to. This should be filled out on the first line under your name and address.

Step 4

underneath the line that you just completed with the name, you will have to fill out the dollar amount in words. For example, if the check is for $5, you will write it out as Five Dollars. If the amount doesn’t have change, you will write 00/100 at the end. This means zero out of 100 cents.

Step 5

You will also have to write the dollar amount using numbers in the rectangle box next to the written form of the amount. Again, if the amount is $5, you will write it as $5.00. Always be sure to add the zeros at the end. A completed check is harder to change. Scammers are everywhere, so you will want to protect yourself from forgery.

Step 6

At the bottom of the check, in the left corner, you will see a line, this line is for writing what the check is for. Let’s say the check is for a utility bill, you will write “Water Bill” or “Gas Bill”. This line is for your records, but sometimes can help the receiver process where the check goes.

This line can also be used for account numbers. Depending on who you are writing the check out to, they may have a special request of what they want to be written on the line. Be sure to find out exactly what is needed before turning in the check.

Step 7

On the opposite bottom corner, you will see a line for you to sign. This is where you put your signature verifying that you are the person who wrote the check. Be sure to use your regular signature that matches what the bank has on file.

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Credit Financial Real Estate

Buying a Home With a Partner Who Has Bad Credit

Buying a Home With a Partner Who Has Bad Credit

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. It takes a lot of time and preparation to buy your first home. Sometimes our partner has less than good credit which can complicate the process.

If you have a partner with less than perfect credit, you may want to read below. We will discuss tips to make the buying process better.

Tip 1

If you are married and want the best interest rate on a mortgage, you can buy a home using only one partner’s credit.  Most states consider a property that is bought during a marriage to be both party’s responsibility.

The partner with the better credit puts the house in their name, using their income and credit. While you may not be able to buy as large of a house as if you used both partners’ income, you will get a better interest rate. It will also help your odds of approval.

Tip 2

Save up for a little while longer, and put down a higher down payment. The bank wants to see that you can be responsible for the mortgage payments. If you put down at least 20% as the downpayment on the loan, the bank will see that you have the ability to save.

A higher down payment means a lower mortgage amount, which can help if one partner has bad credit.

Tip 3

Wait until your partner raises their credit. Sometimes waiting is not fun. But in the end, it is worth it. Have your partner take a credit repair course to understand why their credit score is low. Once they understand why they have poor credit, they can begin to fix it.

Credit repair can be done by eliminating debt, paying credit cards and bills on time, and not applying for new credit. After six months to a year, your partners’ credit can be in a better place. Which will help with mortgage approval.

Tip 4

If your partner has bad credit, maybe you should look at buying a smaller home. If one person isn’t good with finances it may not be wise to buy a home that they can’t keep up with. You want to avoid foreclosure at all costs when buying a home.

Think of circumstances where your partner may be the one responsible for the home. If you lose your job or become injured, will your partner be able to take over a large home?

Tip 5

If you want to buy the home of your dreams, but your partner has poor credit, add another stream of income. The more money you make, the more likely you are to be approved for a home.

All Things Considered

With everything you know about the importance of mortgage preparation, you will want to find a plan that works best for you and your partner. You are not out of luck getting a mortgage if your partner has bad credit.

Categories
Career Career & Education

Getting The Most From Your Employer 401k Match

Getting The Most From Your Employer 401k Match

We all want to maximize our money coming in each week. With our jobs and savings, we have more options now than ever to increase profits. Savings accounts accrue interest and our employers supply 401k programs.

But did you know that most employers also have a 401k match program? A 401k is a great way to plan for retirement. Since many employers now offer a match program, growing your retirement fund has never been easier.

A 401k match program is essentially free money. Every time you put money into your 401k, your employer puts money into the account as well.

How To Start A 401k Match Program

Not all employers will offer a 401k match program. But it is never a bad thing to reach out to HR and ask if they do. Ask your employer what options they have available for your 401k.

Some employers will offer a full 100% match, while others offer a 50% match. Depending on the company, you may be able to work up to a 100% match after a few years of employment.

Are There Limits To The Programs?

The most simplified answer to this is, yes. There are limits on 401k match programs depending on the rules set by your employer. No two companies are exactly the same, so your new employer may differ completely from your old employer.

Most employers match up to a certain percentage of your income. For example, let’s say your employer will match 100% of 4% of your income, and you contribute 5% to your 401k. Your total amount contributed would be 9%.

On the other hand, let’s say that your employer will match 50% of 3 percent of your income, and you contribute 1% to your 401k. Your total amount would be 1.5%.

The higher amount you put into your 401k, the higher the match will be. It is always best to put in at least the minimum percent of what they are willing to match. If they match 5%, you should put in 5%. Anything less is essentially losing money that could be offered.

Are Their Caps On My 401k Investment

Yes, there is a cap on your investment. The only drawback to a 401k in my opinion is the limits set on how much you can earn each year.

For 2022, the maximum amount you can contribute is $20,500 for the year. If your employer has a 401k match program, the limit increases to $61,000. If you want to save more money for your retirement you may want to consider an IRA account.

Don’t Exceed Your Limits

Since there are limits on how much you can contribute to your 401k each year, you have to be aware of how much is going into the account. You do not want to exceed your allowed amount because you may be taxed twice on the amount earned. Reach out to HR before tax day to fix the issue and avoid double taxation.

Categories
Financial Loans

Interest Rate Hikes May Come Very Soon

Interest Rate Hikes May Come Sooner

Interest rates, oh interest rates, how we wish you were low forever. But this is not the reality of how interest rates work. And soon, interest rate hikes may grow higher and higher.

During the start of the pandemic, rates were lowered to help grow the economy. If interest rates are low, more people are likely the make purchases using their credit cards or buy homes.

Now that inflation has pushed our economy to the brink, it is expected that interest rates will grow as well. Inflation is at an all-time high, growing more in one year than the previous 30.

It is predicted that interest rates will be raised 3 times during the year 2022. Some people predict that as soon as March hits, rates will begin to climb. They feel the economy has recovered enough that it is time to begin the rate hike.

What Causes Interest Rate Increases?

Interest rate increases are caused by supply and demand. The more people need or want credit, the higher the rates are. The fewer people need or want credit, the lower the rates are.

With the distribution of stimulus checks and government aid during the beginning of the pandemic, people didn’t need as much credit. They were more mindful of their purchases and had the extra cash to buy their necessities.

Now that the government has stopped funding its people, they are back to a new sense of normalcy. Applying for credit and such as they would have before. This means it is time for rate hikes.

Is Inflation A Threat To Our Economy?

Inflation has risen 7% during 2021, and there are no signs that it is stopping anytime soon. Most experts claim that prices will not go back to pre-pandemic levels, and this is our new normal.

Some experts believe that prices will continue to climb well into the year 2024, and with current rates of inflation, that could be devastating for some communities.

Because of the high inflation rates, the cost of rent and other goods are through the roof. These prices are making the average person look for other means to have sustainable living.

What Happens If Interest Rates Increase Too Fast?

If they increase too fast, it could impact the global economy. Many believe it is risky and could be a better solution to keep them low for a while.

Central banks set a standard for rates that are used for loans and debts. When rates skyrocket, fewer people will meet the demand of purchases. Higher interest rates mean a higher cost of goods, and when an economy is already struggling it can be hard to keep up.

Keep In Mind

With high levels of inflation, comes various unforeseen financial drawbacks. We must increase interest rates in order to keep the supply chain satisfied. When we keep rates low for a prolonged amount of time it can hinder the growth of the economy.

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Financial Tax Services

Selling Cryptocurrency to Lower Taxes?

Selling Cryptocurrency to Lower Taxes?

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know about or may even own Cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies have been around for about a decade but only recently have become mainstream. If you are thinking about selling your Crypto early in order to lower your taxes, you may want to gain more knowledge before doing so.

When To Sell Your Crypto

Selling Crypto is something that is similar to selling a stock. You buy it at a certain price and sell it for a profit. That is the ideal situation, but sometimes when the market is bearish, you sell early at a loss in fear of losing your full investment.

When you sell your Crypto too early, you will have to pay Short Term Capital Gains taxes, as Crypto is taxed as an asset, not a stock. If you hold and sell your Crypto for less than one year, this tax will apply.

If you choose to hodl, a term meaning to hold your crypto asset for longer than a year, you will not be taxed as a short-term capital gain.

Most “hodlers ” have high hopes for the crypto they choose.

If you choose to sell your crypto after the one-year mark, you will be subject to long-term capital gains taxes, but they are not as steep as short-term.

Does A Bull Market Matter?

A bull market is when the crypto is flourishing and attaining new levels. 2021 was a bull market, with bearish cycles. This means that it moved upward to higher and higher amounts, some reaching their all-time highs. The bearish cycles came into play when those high levels retraced back to a lower amount.

Most cryptocurrencies ended the 2021 year higher than the previous year but not as high as the mid-may bull cycle. Because the second half of the year has bearish tendencies many people became afraid and sold at a loss.

Should I Sell At A Loss

It is up to you whether or not you want to sell at a loss. The crypto market is volatile and fluctuates a lot throughout the year. Selling at a loss on a short-term investment means you could be charged taxes on your loss.

Also, it is possible that the crypto that you sell could rebound quickly and you could miss out on buying it at a good price.

Should I Hold On To My Crypto

If you have the patience to hold your crypto, in hopes that it will one day may you wealthy, this may be the best way to hold off on paying taxes. Especially if you don’t want to pay short-term capital gains tax.

In Conclusion

Whether you bought Bitcoin, Etherium, or another crypto asset, you want to keep track of how much you bought each crypto asset for. You will also want to keep track of when you purchased them, and if you choose to sell, you will want to know if you have held the asset for a year or longer.

The better you are at keeping track of your cryptocurrency the easier it will be during tax season.

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Media Tech & Media

Harry Potter: How I Feel About It 20 Years Later

20 Years Later: How I Feel About Harry Potter

It has been 20 years now since a young boy named Harry Potter took us on a magical adventure in Hogwarts. Since then, the fan base of Harry Potter dramatically increased. Still, people can’t stop talking about Harry Potter and the 8 movie series.

The first day of the year 2022 was special for Potterheads as Warner Bros. organized a 20-year reunion special. Harry Potter fans around the world were excited about New Year’s Day, not because it was the start of another year, but because of the reunion.

1.     Every Potter Fan Was Once a Wizard

If you are from the potter generation then you would know what “wingardium leviosa” is. Do you still remember all the magical spells from the potter world? Why wouldn’t you, because the movie was brilliantly designed. People still remember the character and even dialogues. It wouldn’t be wrong if we say that we were all mentally present in the world of Harry Potter.

2.     The Magical Creatures

Do you remember the three-headed dog named Fluffy, the deathly basilisk, and Aragog the spider? All these creatures, beasts, and animals were created to live inside the wizarding world. The way JK Rowling used her imagination to bring creepy and cute creatures alive and connect emotions to them is simply fascinating. Also, a special shout out to Dobby, the free elf.

3.     Hogwarts is More Than a Set

The way Harry Potter fans remember the secret corridors, heritage, and moving staircase is incredible. On the other hand, when we return to the muggle world everything becomes boring. Admit it, you used to love Hogwarts more than your school, don’t you?

4.     The Breadth of Imagination

From the philosopher stone to the Hogwartz’s castle, everything is merely an imagination. But, Rowling took a major part of the series from real life. She turned normal things into a wizarding parallel universe. For instance, she came up with the idea of Quidditch, from a fight with her brother.

5.     It Gave Us Many Lessons

Throughout the movie serial, there are a plethora of lessons that we learn from Harry Potter. There are numerous incidents of bravery from facing bogarts to killing Voldermort. We can find loyalty, intelligence, and friendship. Talking about loyalty, how can we forget Snape’s action? From the start till his death, we used to believe that he is behind the major setbacks in the movies. But the truth was the opposite. In reality, he was protecting Harry Potter. Didn’t you cry when the actual Snape intention was revealed? We all did.

Conclusion

If you grew up along with that 11 year boy and his friends and dreamt about receiving an invitation letter to join Hogwarts then you will feel the same as they did. Even after the second wizard war, the story continues.

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

Pick-Me-Ups To Make Your Days More Tolerable

10 Pick-Me-Ups To Make Your Days More Tolerable

Sometimes life can get tough and unbearable. Even if you are the strongest person among your friends, workload and stress can turn your mood down. This might put you in a situation where you question your entire life. Trying to find the cause during this time to solve the problem won’t always work. In fact, it rarely works. You need effective techniques to cheer up and feel better.

That doesn’t mean that you have to avoid problems and issues in your life. Instead, step away from these problems for a while and approach them when you feel better and motivated. You can effectively face your issues with a clear mind and a positive outlook. That’s why you should know some pick-me-ups to remind you that you are still okay and things will be better.

Top 10 Pick-Me-Ups

Here are some effective techniques or pick-me-ups to brighten your day between busy routines in life.

1. Open the Windows

If the weather is pleasant, you should open all the windows and let a fresh breeze enter inside your home or office. The smell of grass, little licks of wind, and the chirping of birds will magically bring positivity to your life.

2. Make Your Room Cozier

Turn on the lamps or lit the scented candles as this will make your room comfy. This is one of the easiest pick-me-ups to lift your mood.

3. Make Your Bed

Even if you are not a person who does a lot of chores, you can try this when your life gets unbearable. Making your bed is the least you can do for an instant lift in your heart.

4. Watch Funny Videos

YouTube can play a significant role to change your mood. If you feel exhausted because of excessive work, you can watch cat and dog videos. Also, pranks, funny home videos, and laughing babies can help.

5. Get Back to Your Hobby

Is there anything that you like the most and when you are busy with that activity you forget everything else? This could be gardening, playing a musical instrument, or even writing. Performing activity that you love and enjoy immediately make your heart flutter and give you the pick-me-up you need.

6. Complete a Task

The task doesn’t have to be your daily work. Something that you left unfinished for a long time will work. For instance, continue with the painting you left due to a lack of motivation or a song that you were writing last year. These activities bring your productivity right on track.

7. Take a Walk

Take a break in life and leave your home to walk around your neighborhood or anywhere that you feel like going.

8. Make a Phone Call

Whether you visit your friend or give them a call, you need to talk your problems out. When you interact with someone about your problems you feel lightened. Even if you don’t feel like talking about the problems, discuss your pet.

9. Visit Your Relatives

If your relatives live nearby, you can spend some time with them. This will give you a break from busy activities. If your mom makes the best cookies, then you should try this pick-me-up.

10. Go Shopping

When you purchase something that you wanted for a long time, you will feel happy about it. So, head to the nearest shop and get whatever you feel like purchasing. This can be clothes, shoes, and even new sunglasses.

Conclusion

So select a pick-me-up from the above list and take a break from your busy life. Believe it or not, you will feel motivated and relaxed when you will back to your activities.

Categories
Financial Savings

Set Up Automatic Deposits To Help Save Money

Set Up Automatic Deposits To Help Save Money

We all want to save more money for a rainy day. Sometimes though, when money is in our checking account, we frivolously spend it without a second thought. Then, when a rainy day comes we have no savings. 

Sometimes we need help with separating money that we spend for everyday use and money that we should be saving. If you want to learn how to start saving money without having to manually transfer it into your saving account, continue reading below.

Check With Your Employer For Automatic Deposits

Talking with your employer is the best first step to set up automatic deposits. Did you know that you can have a percentage of your paycheck deposited into a savings account each week while having the rest put into your checking account? 

Putting part of your money into a savings account can keep you from using it. Out of sight, out of mind. Better yet, put it into a savings account that accrues interest for higher yields and faster results.

Use The Round-Up Method To Save Money

A new way to save money is the round-up method. To participate in the round-up method you will need a participating financial institution. The concept of this way of saving is simple. Let’s say you make a purchase for $3.85, the purchase would be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The $.15 that it would take to reach the next dollar amount would be put into your savings account.

The purchase would actually be $4.00, but since the difference would be put into your savings, you would not miss it. That is up to .99 per transaction. After a few purchases, you could already have a steady amount of money saved. 

Keep in mind that these are apps that provide this service. You can’t do this with your regular brick-and-mortar bank. 

Check Your Bank

You can reach out to your bank and ask them if they offer automatic bank transfers. If they do, you can set it up so that a certain amount of money goes into a savings account each week or month. 

Most banks also offer the option of sending money to other banks. If you have your primary account as your checking, and your savings with another bank, it should be no trouble sending money between the two.

Things To Be Aware Of

There are a number of things to be aware of when setting up automated payments. Most of them relate to having sufficient funds in your account.

  1.  Always make sure you have enough money in the bank to cover your purchases and the automatic deposit.
  1. Always ask your bank if there will be any fees associated with the automatic deposit.
  1. Don’t overstretch yourself so that you have too many deposits coming out of your account at once.

The Bottom Line

Sending money has never been easier. Technology has improved the world of banking tremendously. You no longer need to drive from one bank to the other to deposit money for savings.