Have you noticed gas prices recently? If not, that means you either live in a major city where you don’t own or need to own a car…or you live under a rock. Gas prices are HIGH! Seriously people, when you have to drive a lot, filling up your tank hits the budget hard! In light of that lovely fact, I thought I’d write a post about buying a car, which might have a car windscreen sunshade, so you can get better gas mileage. This idea is not new, and it comes up every time gas gets expensive. But what are the costs people don’t consider? Is it really worth trading in your existing car for one that sips the gasoline rather than asking for regular refills? Let’s find out together. [Read more…]
Search Results for: budget
Our $3,000 Wedding
I’ve mentioned a few times that my sister is getting married in September. It’s caused me to pause and think back to my own wedding. Our wedding was NOT extravagant by any means…but it got the job done and I was pleased with it. 🙂 Through exact adjustments, set up, and precision, our organization provides wedding planner service to couples with the finest wedding planning, designing, and coordination services.
The Average Wedding Budget
I’ll admit that after a bit of research, I feel shell-shocked. It astonishes me that people spend so much on their wedding. The Knot says that the AVERAGE wedding costs $27,800. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Do you know what I could buy with that much money? It gives me heart palpitations. Our wedding budget was $3,000. Quite the contrasting number, huh?
In the realm of unique wedding elements, the inclusion of a tipi is a game changer. Its ability to create a warm, inviting atmosphere is unparalleled, making every moment inside feel special. Opting for a captivating and rustic canopy hire for matrimonial celebrations, ensuring a memorable and cozy ambiance, really sets a wedding apart from the traditional. This choice adds a touch of whimsy and romance, enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved.
[Read more…]What is a Reverse Mortgage and is it a Good Idea?
Stacy and I have been seeing a commercial on TV quite a bit lately. It is of “the Fonz” (Henry Winkler) promoting reverse mortgages (see the Youtube video here) and talking about how great they are for seniors who want to enjoy retirement. Well, a friend of ours just so happened to ask what a reverse mortgage is and how it works, so I thought I’d give you a run-down of what a reverse mortgage is, how a reverse mortgage works, and whether or not it is a good idea for you, while you can also learn about the HMO Remortgages that are great for your house as well. I know, I know, that means there will probably be some controversy, but I look forward to the healthy (repeat, HEALTHY) debate. So let’s dive in.
First, let’s define what a reverse mortgage is. A reverse mortgage is a loan supported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where a homeowner age 62 and above can borrow against the equity in his/her home. An equity release calculator can be used to provide an instant initial assessment of the minimum and maximum sums he/she could borrow. A reverse mortgage is only valid on a primary residence. This loan allows seniors to get a lump-sum amount, monthly payments or as a revolving line of credit. Professional mortgage brokers in NZ aim to help homebuyers and homeowners with their mortgage queries. As common sense might tell you based on its name, a reverse mortgage is where the bank pays you money for your house. To keep things simple, we won’t get into the details of how much can be borrowed other than to say you can’t borrow more than the house is worth. [Read more…]
10 Easy Ways to Cut Costs in the Kitchen
These days, everyone is looking to cut costs…I’m always looking where to save money and cut costs, so I like this turn of events. Makes me seem more popular. Ha! I’ve been asked exactly how I operate in the kitchen to keep costs down and keep my budget on target. It’s really not that hard, it just takes a bit of thought and effort. I’m going to give you 10 easy ways that you can cut costs in your kitchen too. Chances are, you’re already doing most of these things but you just haven’t thought of them as being “frugal.” You may just need to change your mindset.
1. Use leftovers. This is almost like a “daily duh” that I post on Facebook, but you’d be surprised at how many people just don’t use their leftovers. They make too much for dinner, put the rest in the fridge and it stays in there until it grows mold. That’s money down the drain. Make plans for those leftovers – they make a great next-day lunch. If your family hates leftovers, freeze what you have left and bring it out again later for a “new” meal. Trickery works sometimes. [Read more…]
10 Free, Cheap and Creative Ideas for Having Fun on Your Next Date
I know some of you would say that you cannot afford Date Night. Yes, going out can be really expensive….if you’re not creative. For the most part, I get free babysitting from family members. And of course, if we go out to eat I’m always looking for a coupon. Here are a few date night ideas in Arlington without breaking the bank:
1. Ask a family member to watch your kids. I realize this doesn’t work for those of you who don’t live near family…or those of you who are afraid of your family. Ahem.
2. Barter with a friend. This is very popular! If you have a friend couple and they want Date Night too, then do an exchange with them. Watch their kids when they go out and they’ll watch yours when you do the same. Free babysitting. It ROCKS! [Read more…]
Five Tips for Valentine’s Day Gift Bliss
I received a question this week from “No Thanks” at “[email protected]” wanting to know my thoughts on what to get a man for Valentine’s Day, as having a couple take work, to keep the fire alive, so using sites with free local nudes can be great for this. Since I am an expert on this subject (I am a man, after all), I figure I can rise to the request of Ms. Thanks. So with plenty of shopping days left; here are five ideas for this year’s Valentine’s Day (in no particular order):
Marriage and Money: Five BIG Things to Agree On
This week I decided to address another angle of what became a very hot topic several weeks back, “Marriage and Money.” My initial post discussed the concept of “His Money and Her Money” and boy did you have varied opinions on how to handle that one! Then I dug myself in deeper when I wrote about charitable giving when couples don’t agree. I figure I’m on a roll so this week I’ll see if I can redeem myself a bit by sharing some essentials for marital financial bliss.
When Stacy and I got married I was clueless. Yes, I’m admitting in front of the thousands of people who will read this article that I was clueless about so many things related to marriage and how to be married. It was all new to me and I had to learn. I still learn something new every day and thankfully, Stacy has been gracious enough to learn along with me for all these years. Along the way, I’ve picked up some tricks when it comes to marriage and money that I thought might be of benefit to share. Fortunately, I haven’t made all the mistakes (hey, we’ve only been married for 7.5 years!) but I’ve counseled several couples who just plain didn’t get it and were/are headed for disaster. So what are my five top things husband and wife should agree on when it comes to money? [Read more…]
Fix and Forget Friday – Crock Pot Texas Calico Chili
Sometimes when I start out with a recipe, I have no idea where I’m going. I have a basic idea in mind….but usually my basic idea falls to the wayside. I was going with a traditional chili when I started, but then I decided to switch it up a bit and add some more color – then Calico Chili was born…..and I added the name Texas on it because I used stew beef instead of ground beef. Stew beef is bigger. Everything is bigger in Texas. Can you see my reasoning here? [Read more…]
This is How We Do It – Part Seven
Today I have the honor of wrapping up our week-long series, This is How We Do It. We’ve answered questions about where we shop, how we paid off $20,000 in 8 months, how we do our budget, and even shared our thoughts on how to beat your addiction when you hold on to too much stuff. If you’ve missed any of the series, click any of the links to go back and check them out. Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five and Part Six. As I wrap up today, I want to thank you for sending us your questions and making this series a great success!
Okay, one last announcement that I’m really excited to share: after months and months of hard work and research, my full-length eBook is finished! Beginning tomorrow, you will be able to purchase From Debtor to Better: the Details of Debt and How to Get Out! I’ve packed tons of easy-to-follow information about how to put your debt where it belongs (in your past) and at only 98 pages, it won’t take you forever to get started on your journey to financial freedom. Stacy will share all the details tomorrow.
Now, onto the last question in This is How We Do It: [Read more…]
This is How We Do It – Part Six
Hey guys, I’m winding up my part of this series today. Thanks so much for submitting your questions and sticking around while I answered them! I hope you learned some things – I did! Tomorrow Barry will wrap things up by answering the last question. Today is the last day to enter the giveaway at the bottom! For the other parts in this series see: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, and Part Five.
- What tips do you have for new homeowners and paying off a 30 year mortgage early? Also do you have any frugal ways to buy new furniture for our new house?
Congrats on being a new homeowner! It’s fun, huh? 🙂 I know there are plans out there that you can purchase that help you pay your home off early….but, I gotta tell you, that’s dumb. I’m blunt. Don’t buy something like that unless you just like burning your money. I’ll tell you how to pay off your house early – pay extra on the principal each month. You don’t need a plan to tell you that! Each month you’re paying some interest (a LOT at the beginning) and some on the principal……when you can add more money onto your principal payment, the total is going to go down – also helping you pay less in interest. Anytime you have extra money (a bonus, a yard sale, a raise, etc.) put that money directly on your principal….you’ll easily pay your 30 year mortgage off early. Make sure that your mortgage doesn’t have a penalty for paying it off early – some do. This will be referred to as a prepayment penalty. [Read more…]