Category: Health & Home

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Health & Home Home Improvement

DIY Home Improvement Projects To Do This Summer

5 DIY Home Improvement Projects For Summer

Summer typically calls for lazy times in the pool but it’s also a great time for the much-needed home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. DIY home improvement ideas are literally the best because they save time and money and your home too gets a lot of TLC.

In this blog, we’re going to share five fantastic DIY home improvements for this summer and how you can upgrade your home without much effort.

1. Improved Window Treatments For Your Home

Have you ever thought of window treatments to beat the summer heat and keep your house comfortably cool despite the blazing sun outside? The best part is that installing advanced window treatments is not a complex job at all and it’s an easy DIY thing. You only need simple things like a blackout curtain or two, some motorized roller shades or even greater options from the market variety.

You’d probably even enjoy installing these, not to mention how outfitting the windows with shades will protect you and your family from harmful UV light and blind glares. Rid goodbye to scorching summer heat indoors with this DIY idea.

2. Bring Summer Into Your Home With More Plants

Summer may be hot but it’s a beautiful weather nonetheless. How better to enjoy it than bringing in some more greenery right in your house? This summer, give your outdoor area, a balcony or a designated corner in your home a fresh makeover with vibrant summer plants.

If you can afford it, try to spruce the area with a bright paint color too or landscape it if you’re feeling a tad more adventurous. Gardens have a magical ability to transform the aesthetical appeal of homes and perennials, hydrangeas, lupines etc. make the best choice.

If you’re not up for braving the summer heat and venturing outdoors, then you can stay in, give your interiors some glam makeover and still enjoy the season. A wall gallery sounds like a very creative idea and it is the best ways of livening up a home. You can look at creative DIY ways of converting a prominent wall in your home into a gallery wall.

Decorate it with family photos, some colorful artwork or even blend the two for a more striking end result.

4. Give Your Home’s AC Filters a Good Scrub

This might not be a lot of fun but it is necessary nonetheless. Replacing or at least cleaning your AC filters will make the summer more bearable and especially important if you have not done it for long.

The filters of any HVAC unit can accumulate tons of dirt, when we fail to clean them in a couple of months. You could make this DIY idea your summer project and thankfully, it does not take very long. You only have to locate the furnace vents on your AC, unscrew then and clean the filters thoroughly. If they’re beyond rescue, replacing them would also be a good idea. You can rid the filters of the mold, dust and tons of allergens living on it and ensure your family will only be breathing in cleaner air through the season.

5. Give Your Floor Some TLC This Summer

We’re usually focusing so much on statement walls, light fixtures, kitchen hardware etc. that we fail to realize the floor could do with some makeover too. This summer, you can give your floor some brightness and make it the highlight of the summer season.

You can go for an all out black and white tiling, neutral light tiling, matte tiles or those with graphic patterns or even settle for some hexagonal beauty. If you want something simpler, perhaps a darker stain to your existing hardwood or pulling up the carpet would do the trick too.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

What I Wish I Knew Before I Did Home Renovations

What I Wish I Knew Before I Did Home Renovations

As fresh DIY-ers we all start out with a lot of energy, enthusiasm and readiness for adventure. Years down the line, when we look back, we call regret not taking the time to find out certain things or not making assumptions that would have yielded better results for our home renovations.

In this blog, I’m going to share what I wish I knew before I renovated, to help you refrain from committing the same:

1. Do Not Start With Sweeping Renovation Changes Right Away

The prospect of home shopping is especially more exciting for us due to the prospect of getting to redecorate it as our own. In the excitement, we usually launch into the major haul as soon as we move in. Now that I look back on my home renovation journey, I wish I taken the time to first adjust to life in the new house.

If I had, I would have known better that the trendy new paint shade I’d chosen would make my living room look even darker and cavern-like. I would have realized which sheers to use or not to keep the sunlight flooding into my room in control.

The best approach is to put your to-do list off till you have adjusted to life in your new home, observed each and every nook and cranny in all lights at length, recognized your new self in the new house and then proceed.

2. Asking Local Contractors for Quotes

I wish I had not underestimated the costs of updates. If I had not relied on TC shows with stunning home makeovers so much, I’d have known asking local contractors to give quotes would have been the better idea.

Often home owners end up taking out loans because they fail to get quotes from local contractors and don’t realize the actual home renovation expenses could far exceed in reality.

3. Not Factoring in Temporary Housing During Renovations

If a home renovation is to be a large-scale one, families often have to temporarily relocate to motels, AirBnb rentals or ask friends to rend out their guesthouses. As such, being away from your kitchen and your own utensils mean you have to spend a lot more on takeout meals or restaurants.

If I’d known that, I would have budget better.

4. Consider Alternatives

Another thing I wish I had seen back as a renovating home owner was that I could do a lot of things differently, if I had taken the time to research. Often we let TC shows cloud so much of our logic that we believe there is only that way to renovate our deck, do up our kitchen or go for light fixtures etc.

What we see in a DIY video is not the only way to handle a task because what works for others might not necessarily work for your house. The best approach is to review more tutorials and methods before embarking on a renovation task.

5. Not Working with a Professional

Often we let the misconception that a designer or architect rip us off precious money cloud our decisions, The fact is that these professionals are the experts are the best ones to verify whether what your envision is practical for your home or not.

Often home owners end up tearing walls and putting up elaborate fixtures that end up being disastrous with the structure and chemistry of the house. Ask the experts if you’re on the right track to avoid any renovation disasters.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

11 Popular Pandemic Home Improvement Projects

11 Most Popular Pandemic Home Improvement Projects

Are you done sitting idle during the pandemic? We have eleven most popular home improvement projects to share with you. Perhaps you’d get the inspiration to make your time more interesting as the pandemic subsides and you home will get a fancy makeover too.

1. Fencing

Fencing is an ideal way of creating an impressive outdoor living space. You can add more definition to your outdoor area plus increase privacy with this home improvement project. The best part is that this upgrade is achievable in $100 or even less.

2. Exterior Upgrades

The pandemic has also seen 86% increase in exterior updates. So if you’re looking for a striking home improvement task, opt for landscaping or some exterior painting. The average cost for this will be around $2,960 for the exterior paint while landscaping may cost you $3,423 on an average.

3. Bathroom Remodeling

The other most popular pandemic home improvement trend has been bathroom remodels. If we’re to spend more time at home, it only makes more sense to have bathrooms where we can have a spa like or at least luxurious experience each time. At an average, bathroom remodels can cost around $10, 778.

4. Interior Painting

During the pandemic, home interiors have been seeing a lot of fancy makeovers too and are a relatively economical upgrade. If you’re planning an eye-catching transformation for your home, you could paint your interiors at an average cost of $2,007.

5. New Flooring

The next best pandemic home renovation trend is new flooring. The average costs of replacing worn-out wood, tiles or carpets are $4,680.

6. Kitchen Makeovers

During the pandemic thus far, 43% of homeowners have upgraded their kitchens, if your kitchen is approximately $150 square per foot, then you’d have to spend around $25, 544 on this home improvement project.

7. Remodeling the Living Room

Are you bored of your tired and dill-looking living room? So were 38% of other home owners too who utilized the pandemic free time to transform the highlight of their house. Renovating a living room costs an average of $2,050 to $3,150.

8. Upgrade Your Entryway

The entryway is among the first impressions of your home and it is only right to invest on upgrading it. Just like other homeowners, who spend an average of $509 in giving their entryways a fancier and newer look during the pandemic.

9. Make Your Bedroom Look New

Primary bedrooms have been the most lived-in during the pandemic and perhaps why more homeowners revamped these. Upgrading a basic bedroom during this time can cost your around $880 to $2,300.

10. Dining Rooms Upgrade

Since we’re no longer eating out at restaurants, home owners thought they create a fine dining ambience right at home. Dining room upgrades have been trending since the pandemic and cost an average of $12,000 for refurnishing.

11. Basement Upgrades

The pandemic is a good opportunity to make use of your fabulous spacious basement, if you haven’t done it before. Take cue from the 13% home owners who thought make their basement an appealing hangout was a good idea for surviving the social-distancing time.

This home renovation project will cost you $20,428 on an average.

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Health & Home Wellness

Nutritionist Advice: 5 Secrets for Better Digestion

Nutritionist Advice: 5 Secrets for Better Digestion

When it comes to digestive health, you need to consume essential nutrients and stop taking unhealthy food. Also, every person responds to different foods in a different way, so make sure that you know what type of food causes constipation and other digestion problems.

Here are 5 secrets for better digestion that you should know. Let’s take a look.

1.    Eat a High-Fiber Diet

A high fiber diet can help you deal with digestion problems. Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes improves digestion.

Additionally, a high-fiber regular diet can support the process of the food movement in your digestive tract. This way, there will be less risk of constipation. High fiber foods can treat or prevent several digestive problems such as hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This type of diet also helps you maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

2.    Chew your Food

Few people understand that digestion begins from the mouth. Your saliva and teeth are the first in the digestive process that helps you break down food. Your jaw, teeth, and cheek muscles exert pressure on the food. They turn the pointy bits and big chunks into smaller and softer bits.

Saliva comprises different enzymes that accelerate the digestion process. These enzymes are responsible for starting chemical reactions to crush your food. This process continues when the stomach secretes acids. This is why chewing your food properly is very important.

3.    Limit High Fat Food

Generally, fatty food slows down the digestive process, which is not good for digestive health. They increase the risk of constipation. However, as it is vital to consume some healthy fat, it’s best to pair fatty foods with high-fiber foods.

This way, the food will move to your digestive system smoothly.

4.    Add Probiotics to Your Diet

Soy milk, yogurt, and dark chocolate are rich probiotic food items. Probiotics are live yeast and bacteria that have many health benefits. They keep you healthy by limiting the effects of antibiotics, poor diet, and stress.

They can also help you boost nutrients absorption, treat irritable bowel syndrome, and support the immune system.  Although they are naturally present in the human body, for better digestion, you need to consume them in your diet.

5.    Avoid Foods that Irritate Your Digestive System

Some people can’t tolerate hot spices, while others can. It is important to know what type of foods can impact your health. Common items that don’t suit everyone are:

  • Hot spices
  • Red chilies
  • Alcohol
  • Desserts
  • Caffeine
  • Sugar

Bottom Line

The secret to a healthy digestive system is to balance your diet by either avoiding some foods completely or pairing them with healthy foods. However, it’s best to avoid consuming any food that can irritate your stomach. So, be careful and think twice before eating something for better digestive health.

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Health & Home Media Recreation & Leisure Tech & Media

Best Young Adult Books We Are Obsessed With

Best Young Adult Books We Are Low-Key Obsessed With

There are many young adult books that we are low-key obsessed with, and we want to share them with you. If you are a fan of fantasy and romantic books, then you need to read the following mentioned books.

They Wish They Were Us

This amazing book is an artistic creation of Jessica Goodman. We must say, if you are a fan of thriller stories, then give a read to this book. Its storyline is pretty similar to the popular book “Gone Girl.” You will find everything, from friendship and romance drama.

The story revolves around the secret society in an elite prep school. Plus, it offers you a mystery that involves the murder of a famous girl. Hence, it has everything that you want in a book for young adults.

We Were Liars

This is another ideal choice for teens written by E. Lockhart. This book became popular after a great hype on TikTok. The story starts from an idyllic beach that will inspire you to spend a vacation on the East Coast private island.

However, when you reach the end, it will leave you in shock for days. The book comprises mystery, family secrets, and twists. If you are bored with sci-fiction books, then read this one to bring thrill to your life.

Year One: Chronicles of the One

Nora Roberts is the writer of this novel. This book tells a story that contains fiction and fantasy. It’s a story of the post-apocalyptic world, when both evil and good magic became popular.

Apart from this, you will love the idea of incorporating multiple storylines and characters. All the characters are striving for a better life in a completely new world so that they can survive. If you love Harry Potter and Divergent-type books, then you will like this one as well.

Happy-Go-Lucky

L.H. Cosway is the author of Happy-Go-Lucky, providing you lots of entertainment, thrill, and fun. Every workplace has an employee that no one wants to mess with. It is based on the same idea and revolves around the story of handsome Cameron Grant.

This man doesn’t love to socialize with his fellow workers, which makes everyone curious about him. You will encounter romance and tension in this novel that will force you to read this book in a day.

The Promised Prince

Kortney Keisel is the author of The Promised Prince. This storyline is based on the love story of Renna Degray. She is hopeful of finding her love of life when, out of chance, she meets a handsome man.

Renna tries to control her feelings because he is the Prince of Albion. But she finds it difficult to forget her love, as the Prince makes it hard for them. This novel is the best young adult book that includes all the fantasy and romances a teen wants.

Bottom Line

So, read these young adults’ books one by one to keep yourself entertained and amused. For sure, if you already love adult books, you will like these as well.

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Dating Health & Home

5 Green Flags to Look Out For On a Dating App

5 Green Flags to Look Out For On a Dating App

Dating apps offer you information that you can check before chatting with a person. But there are few things that you need to look for in their profile and way of communication.

Want to know more? In this case, read the article further to get a complete idea.

1. Their Photos Show Their Hobbies and Interest On The Dating App

There is absolutely nothing wrong with uploading a few selfies on your profile. But when a profile only contains selfies, it shows the person is self-obsessed. A profile looks more appealing and interesting when it has photos of friends and family. The pictures showing a person involved in certain hobbies give you more idea about the person.

2. They have a Unique Opening Introduction In Their Profile

Dating apps allow you to write something about yourself. People who take some extra time to come with a unique and attractive opener are more interesting to date. It makes them stand out from other profiles.

We must say that figuring out an excellent opener is certainly a challenging task. So, you need to appreciate it when someone spends time on it.

3. They Ask You Questions

Asking a simple but right question can go a long way. Even you may have noticed that fewer people ask you questions about yourself. If someone asks about your hobbies, interest, and other things instead of showcasing their achievement and interest, then you should hold on to them.

Plus, there are also chances that they might have interest in you, as they are trying to know you.

4. Their Instagram Shows Similar Interests

Many dating apps allow users to link their Instagram accounts to show potential interests, hobbies, and matches. So, if you like a profile that also connects with the Instagram account, then do some research.

Check whether their interests on Instagram match with the one they have written on their dating profile. Their Instagram profile will also tell you about their personality.

5. They Ask for a Date at the Right Time

Although there is no rule about how much time people need to chat before asking for a date, people who take time to understand you before dating are better candidates. It’s best to avoid people who ask you for a date immediately after the first encounter.

This also shows that they have some personal standards, which is why they have thought a lot before asking for a date. Not to mention, you can also take it as a sign that you are suitable for them based on their requirements and preferences.

Bottom Line

So, these are the green signals that you can find in a dating app. If you find a person who meets all these criteria, then you should not refuse them for the date.

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Health & Home Wellness

Nutritional Morning Drinks Instead of Coffee

Nutritionist-Approved Morning Drinks to Offset Your Coffee Habit

Coffee has significant health benefits like boosting your focus and staying alert. It can help you lose weight, burn fat, and reduce the risk of stroke, cancer, and dehydration, etc.

Its dehydration part is quite alarming for those who want to sip coffee first thing in the morning. In order to avoid its early morning consumption, scientific research opines there are better alternatives to coffee. Let’s take a look at some of the best nutritionist-approved drinks to offset your coffee habits.

1. Green Tea or Matcha

Green tea has a lot to offer for having matcha as its prime alternative to offset caffeine deficiency. Matcha contains amino acids-like I-theanine, which will offset the effects of caffeine.

You can get a cup of green tea if matcha is not available around. Green tea is rich in polyphenols that keep away inflammation. Both tea options will prove to be great for your caffeine deficiency.

2. White Tea

White tea refers to several styles of tea which is minimally processed leaves of the Camellia plant. Its antioxidants and polyphenols fight your inflammation and aging. What’s more, white boosts heart health by minimizing cholesterol. It’s a pale yellow tea, in fact and doesn’t cause stains.

3. Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea is low in tannins and from any traces of caffeine and oxalic acid. it’s a good herb for eliminating your caffeine urge because of the presence of antioxidants. It’s another natural remedy for lowering blood sugar.

Rooibos tea will also settle the stomach which is the best alternative to coffee for those people who struggle with early morning nausea.

4. Mushroom Coffee

Mushroom coffee comes from grinding regular coffee with the addition of mushroom powder. It’s good for supporting your immune system because of the presence of antioxidants in mushrooms. Mushrooms offer low caffeine than coffee.

This will help reduce anxiety and improves sleeping patterns. Mushroom coffee reduces early morning headaches that may come while quitting coffee.

5. Warm Water and Lemon

Instead of coffee, try mixing warm water with few drops of lemon. It’s a simple way to replenish your dehydration. As a result, proper hydration can help reduce fatigue, brain fog, and ensuing headaches.

Its early morning consumption will keep your digestive tracts clear during the day. Something everyone should consume. It’s a great help for lowering or soothing joint pains and stiff muscles.

6. Green Juice Before Breakfast

You can add a daily serving of spinach or other green of your liking to make it drinkable. However, you should have a slow juicer that can extract all nutrients from the desired fruit or vegetables.

Green juices offer a lot of benefits, like reducing weight and improving your hydration plus digestion. They will shield you from free radical damage and steer clear from depression.

Conclusion

If you are willing to get rid of your early morning coffee intakes, then go for one of these drinks. These are natural alternatives to replace your coffee. There are hardly any significant side effects that may discourage you from opting for any of these drinks.

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Health & Home Wellness

6 Ways to Make Your Salads Like Sweetgreen

6 Ways to Make Your Salads As Good As Sweetgreen

Salads are hard to resist, especially for those who take their health seriously. Now there are salad parlors offering the best combination of fruit, vegetables and lettuce as a salad.

You may find it difficult to convince younger people in the house to take a salad. If they don’t like it, you may change your salad preparation methods. Surely they will like it.

Let’s go for easy but healthy 6 ways to make your salads taste as good as Sweetgreen.

1. Switch up your greens

There’s a lot of variety to green up your salad. You can do mix and match greens like spinach, romaine, arugula, cabbage, iceberg, and dandelion greens, etc.

Mixing a few of these greens together can add a different flavour to your salad dish you will savour for a long. Kale will offer you healthy vitamin A and C, whereas arugula will give you bet calcium and potassium.

2. Change the Texture

A mix of creamy and crunchy textures will bring your salad to new heights. One serving of ricotta cheese, Greek yoghurt, and or avocado will add a creamy and filling texture to your meal. You can make it taste crunchy by adding some juicy and crispy slices of apple, celery or kiwi.

3. Add a Red to Your greens

You may not like a lot of green in your salad. As many people don’t like green alone, they may like to see a tinge of red in it instead. So you can add a red by cutting small cubes of tomato, or long slices of red chilli. You can go further by adding dry cranberries or nuts; both will add a lot of nutrition and necessary healthy fats.

4. Tomato Replacements

Fresh tomatoes may be in abundance in your area in other areas it may be rare. Rather than going for off-season frozen tomatoes, you can opt for its substitutes:

  • Sweet peppers offer more Vitamin C than tomatoes
  • Raw Beets
  • Strawberries

These are friendly alternatives to tomatoes for offering good antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like a tomato.

5. Get plant-based protein

You can add plant-based protein to your daily salad by adding a small amount of cooked or boiled grains like beans and rice. Whereas cooked lentils are also a significant source for getting proteins.

Besides nuts, seeds and avocado slices will make it a nice and full meal. Such salads will get your proteins, fats, starchy and non-starchy carbs and a unique flavour on top of everything.

6. Add Fruit To Your Salad

Adding fruits to your salad will make it an unbeatable meal. Fruits will give you the fibres, nutrition, and tinge of sweetness. You can go for chopped, sliced, or pieces of fruits for your creation. Remember, to opt for seasonal fruits only to get their best for your health.

In winters, you can add citrus to your salads through caracara, blood red oranges or clementine.

Conclusion

Now, you see there are more reasons to keep salad on your table with every meal. Salads are a fresh way to get healthy food in a manner of your liking and choice.

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Health & Home Recreation & Leisure

Cleared for Takeoff: What to Know About Travel

Cleared for Takeoff: What to Know About Travel in 2021

The air travel industry is still reeling because of the coronavirus and its subsequent surge. There are new traveling guidelines, restrictions, strategies and new protocols in place for air travel. However, people are ready to hit the skies, once again.

Although many airlines stopped operations during the pandemic, they continue to stick to their schedules, as things get better.

In this piece, you will get a handy guide about air travel, making sure you can travel in 2021 without any hassle.

1. Save Now For Your Trips

The pandemic has severely hit our lives and earnings. So, it may sound logical to look for ways to save now. Like having more working hours at your office, start selling handicrafts, cut down your impulsive shopping. You can negotiate with your bank and insurance people for better interest rates, etc.

This saving will give you the boostto go all out for air travel whenever the time comes.

2. Get the Most out of Flexible Bookings

In 2020 airlines were flexible about bookings and reservations. The same mind-set works on the same pattern in 2021. So look for the best and most economical routes to get to your destination. Many resorts and hotels are also offering very low and special rates with flexible payment plans.

Most of the airlines are offering great deals with soft cancellation policies. You can scoop anyone of these.

3. Travel Insurance

In the pre-pandemic world, most travel insurance companies were not giving cover for a global pandemic, now they are.

So do a thorough search to secure the best rates for covering your desired level of insurance. You can check with multiple options, as hotels and resorts have joined hands with many insurance companies, you can opt with any of these. Call in few quotes and compare them and evaluate the cost of air travel and hotel. This will give you a simple idea of what kind of sum you need to pay as travel insurance.

4. Prepare for High Demand

Several trips were cancelled in 2020 and many people rescheduled those trips for the year 2021. So consider if you want to tour the most visited destination, and then be prepared to pay extra money to airlines.

Travel industry experts are expecting a surge in air travel during the second half of this year. You may book now to get the best rates and flexible terms from airlines, hotels and insurance people.

5. Pandemic Looms

Remember, we are still in the steam of a pandemic. The airlines and tourist industry is still suffering from it. So, ensure that you fulfil the norms set forth by airlines, hotels and other relevant people in this chain.

You should prioritize your own and other’s safety as a top priority during the entire round trip. It would also help if you made sure you had full information for safety protocols you will follow during the entire trip.

Conclusion

Air travel industry gurus and pundits are optimistic about air travel resuming sooner than later. We all hope life comes back to normal. So be careful during your next air travel, follow health and safety restrictions to steer clear from trouble.

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Financial Health & Home Recreation & Leisure Savings

How to Save for a Vacation?

How to Save for a Vacation?

Vacations are always a treat, and everyone strives for to visit the location without spending much. There are certain ways to make vacations full of memories you can remember for a long time. You start with an early vacation plan, cut on spending and if required, look for an additional job to double up the savings.

Let us guide you to know more about how to save for a vacation?

1. Plan the Vacation Early

Before everything else, decide about the place you want to spend your vacation at. Look into its neighbourhood if there are more places you can visit once you reach there. So plan about:

  • Destination, where you are going and factor in the cost for its nearby areas
  • How long you will stay. Arrange the money accordingly

2. Budget for Your Vacation Early

Now, look into, how much you need and what will be your expenses? Here’s a list of expenses and their mode of spending you should concentrate to budget accordingly.

  • Transport cost from your home to the destination and back home
  • Daily accommodation
  • Local transportation at your destination
  • Daily food, drinks, and entertainment

Add up these expenses and you have a certain range of amount you will need to spend on your vacation. So you can start saving on a monthly basis from your salary. You can allocate a certain amount per month to meet your vacation budget.

3. Resist Impulse Buys

The next part is about savings to complete the vacation with no financial issues.

The foremost saving manner is to resist or stop impulse buying. Impulse buying is making many a people short on money. You should avoid the malls or browse online for shopping. Online shopping will keep giving you endless options to shop from. Clear the browser history and focus on saving money.

4. Ask for Discounts

You were buying phones, apparel, shoes, and grocery, etc. albeit without discounts.

Now you may ask them for discounts or start looking for stores that are offering “sale” items. You buy from them to make your saving more reasonable for vacation.

Similarly, you can ask your insurance company or bank for lower interest rates. You will get better rates from both.

5. Take on Extra Work

Taking an extra job after your routine job is another way for more revenue for your vacation expenses. The best idea is to talk to the employer and request additional hours. You can also opt for freelancing or start selling handicrafts, etc.

All these efforts will get you extra earning, spend that money on vacation, and enjoy it.

Conclusion

So, planning at the right time, then cutting down on expenses, and working a few hours extra will get you the money needed for your trip.

To make things better, you can always check with travel agents or tour operators. Check their cost for a round trip and compare that with your calculations. If you see an enormous difference, opt for one with fewer expenses.