GR8TR Today Magazine

Living a GR8TR Life Every Day

Money

Shopping Around – The New Norm

Shopping around for items is normal, but many people are moving towards shopping for items and services that used to not be questioned.  Prices can be very different from one place to another depending on the vendor. And things that used to be a monopoly have a high degree of competition now.  This week I saw a friend on Facebook complain about a new medication he needed be $500 a month and not covered by insurance.  Within an hour he had people telling him how to get it for $60 and places he could maybe get it free (from manufacturer) and how to do it.

Facebook and other social media channels are helping people collaborate and share information to find better deals on things.  But are you looking for better deals when it comes to some of these things?

  1. Utilities – By shopping for utility providers, you can reduce your rate significantly.  Put when your contract is up on your calendar and reshop for it once it expires or your rate will go up and not one will notify you.
  2. Medical – The exact same procedure can be radically different from place to place.  Some people even find it cheaper to go to another country and have a medical vacation versus just taking the first offer on a medical procedure.  (Please do not shop around if it is an emergency though!)
  3. Auto Repairs – If you are one of those people still going to the dealer, you are paying too much for some things.  I do like the dealer for maintenance but not for big jobs unless it requires a specialist.  That said, this is one area asking around is very important.  Just taking the cheapest person to fix your car can be a nightmare.
  4. Prescriptions – Not only does the place matter, but there are programs that will give you a discount at your pharmacy.  Check out online programs but be careful what information you are sharing.
  5. Cars – Sure we all shop around for cars already, but did you know if you know what you are looking for and you start calling dealerships (especially if you are a little flexible) you can get a great deal without ever setting foot on the lot (until you buy)?
  6. Entertainment – I cannot even say “TV” or “Cable” anymore because there are so many options for entertainment.  Do you just watch movies and tv shows?  You probably only need a streaming service.  The trick here is to know what you can’t live without and then shop around for the entertainment necessities and cut out the unused stuff.
  7. Insurance – If you got the best price on insurance more than a year ago, why have you not shopped it around again?  For example, we got a great deal on insurance a year ago and this year they raised the price about  for no reason.  Clearly the first year was a discount to get the business and they hope people will not move after year one and the price increase.  Time to start calling around.

I wish it was not such a hassle.  It is an unfortunate byproduct of our hyper capitalistic economy that businesses are always using gimmicks, specials and tricks to squeeze more money out of you.  You can either accept the games and pay more or you can manage your buying and pay less.  The choice is yours.

Is It A Scam? How To Spot a Scammer

Even the least technical among us now are wired into the vast computer network called the Internet and using apps built by people all over the world.  Most of us are comfortable putting some portion of our identity out there online in many different ways.  And the fear people use to have about using credit cards online is not as common as it once was.

With all of this, it is more important than ever to be able to spot a scammer and prevent the theft of your identity or money.

What is a scam?  

First, you do not want to be able to trust anyone.  Someone asking for your email address to enter a contest is probably just good marketing and not a scam.  However, any time you enter your email you should consider if it is worth it.  Do you want regular emails from the company or website in exchange for a tiny chance to win something?

Email Scams

Email has been very difficult for even highly educated technical people.  Once one person has their inbox hacked, then anyone in that inbox can get emails from anyone else in that inbox with links to viruses.  If someone you know sends you an email saying “I found this link for you” or something like that – do not click.

Also, anyone offering you money or needing some info when you did not initiate the contact should not be easily trusted.  Remember, your bank, the IRS and other organizations can be called to confirm that they need something from you.  Use a trusted phone number, not the one in the email you are unsure of.

Job offer in email?  This also could be a scam.  Many Multi-Level Marketing companies lure people in with a “job offer” to get them into the MLM company which costs money and does not guarantee any income.

One way to quickly find these things out is to search “company name scam” and read some sites about it.

Software Scams

Any time you give software permission to install or access your computer you are also giving them access to everything on your computer.  This means you should only install highly trusted things.  While the average person might think

  1. I have virus protection and
  2. This software must have been reviewed by someone

These are not always the safeguards you think they are.  Virus protection does not protect you from giving software you install the right to access your computer, unless it is a known and documented threat.  And new threats come out every day.

Also, the idea that code is reviewed is not actually possible or practical.  There is a lot more trust involved than the average person realizes.

All of this means you should be careful what you install and also careful what you keep on your phone and computer.

Phone Scams

Phone scams occur in many forms.  Automated voice as well as people calling.  Just as in emails, you should not give information to people that call you.  If you call a company directly like your credit card company, the IRS, your medical company – then you know you are talking to a real representative.  I once had a company send me an email from their company email to verify they were real.  While even this could be faked, it would take some time so it gave me the confidence to do business with them.  Nearly always I do not even answer calls though.

What can be especially dangerous is when you are new to a category and do not know how the systems work.  For example, college or turning 65.  If people know your age they can guess that you are experiencing new systems such as college registration, scholarships, medicare, etc.  Much easier to trick someone new to a system like this so you have to be extra vigilant.

Mail Scams

Mail is just as dangerous as any other form of communication.  One common scam is looking up people’s ownership information if they own a domain (this is by default public information) and sending them a fake invoice for domain SEO.  It will be something like $75 per year.  Since the domain is a once a year type renewal, people forget the process and pay these fraudulent invoices.  You should have your domain set up to auto-renew and you should check it once a year online to make sure your credit card has not expired.  It is very unlikely they will send you a paper invoice.

These are just some of the scams you can get hit with.  It is changing all the time and some are very sophisticated.  Be smart and skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true.  Stay safe.

Back to School Cost Cutting

The end of summer is fast approaching, school supply lists have been released, and you’re on the hunt for the best deals on back to school items for your kids. These days, just equipping your kids for the first day can be overwhelming, but with a few cost-cutting tips, you can save yourself money while providing great things for the upcoming school year.

1. Be prepared.

Go over your list of needs and be careful of what “wants” get added to the list by your child or teen. Better yet, give your older student a back to school budget, and have him or her work out how to use the allotted money to purchase the needed items. Do your research to find what items are on sale at which stores, and don’t shy away from shopping several different stores if needed.

2. Shop the sales.

It almost goes without saying, but August is the best time to by any school supplies. Stock up for the year on pens, paper, notebooks, crayons, etc. Staples, Office Depot, Wal-mart and Target are retailers that will have great prices now. In addition to great sales, you can also take advantage of other store loyalty programs such as Staples Rewards off most purchases), Target RedCard off and Target Cartwheel offers. Target will also have store coupons that you can “stack” to get the most for your money.

3. Go through all clothes and shoes before shopping for new ones.

With your child, go through all items in the closet and dresser. Donate any items that are too small or that your child no longer wears. Toss out any that are too old or beat up to be useful to anyone. Then make a list with your child of items that you’re searching for on your clothes shopping trip. It may help to do a little online window shopping in advance to see what stores have the best prices and styles for your budget.

4. Accept help if needed.

There are many places that will help out families where finances are tight and back to school poses additional stress on their income.  Look at churches and community centers to get supplies that are needed.

Don’t let the stress of back-to-school shopping get to you. Team up with your student to have a plan of attack and enjoy the extra time together before another school year begins.

Be Better – Reduce Plastic Use

None of us by ourselves can solve the world’s problems.  But we can each work to have a more positive and less negative impact.  Plastic usage is one area.  Our family probably uses 20% of what the average family uses, because we are aware of the issue, our kids care deeply about it and we make an effort to only use plastic when we must.  What started out as using less plastic grocery bags has mushroomed into a big reduction in many areas.  And none of these things have impacted our “quality of life.”  In fact, in many ways it has improved our healthy eating habits and improved life.

Here is a long list of ways to reduce plastic waste in your life.  The goal is not 100% elimination but significant reduction over time.  Most people could easily cut plastic waste in half without feeling bothered, with these simple suggestions.

Grocery Bags – We are all aware of this one, but I frequently stop at the store for a few things and forget to take reusable bags.  The solution?  I simply do not bag the stuff.  If I can carry it, I carry it out with a receipt in hand.  If it is a little too much, the same thing.  Just take the cart out to your car and put it in your trunk.  You really do not have to bag small amounts of stuff.  While this seems obvious, cashiers are always surprised, and I have never seen someone doing it other than me (Other than one or two items.)  I think the fear is that they will get accused of shoplifting, but it has never happened to me and I always make sure I have the receipt.

Straws and Lids on Cups – This is a big one in the news in 2019.  The real key here is do you need it or not.  Don’t take them just because that is how you usually drank it.  For example, if I am driving, I need a lid on coffee if I did not bring my reusable mug (I usually do, but sometimes you are not expecting to get a coffee when you leave home.)  If we get drinks in a place with disposable cups, we drink it without straw or lid. 

Plastic Utensils – We actually make purchasing decisions based on waste now.  For example, milk shakes, Blizzards from DQ, parfait from McDonalds?  No.  Kids do not want things that require plastic to eat.  Haven’t had them in years.  I am not sure if businesses understand that waste is driving purchasing decisions.  Maybe not enough people are doing it yet.  Places like Panara use metal silverware that they wash if you eat at the store.  It does impact where we eat.  The added bonus is that places that care about less waste probably care about higher quality food and healthier options as well.  That is the trend.

Lids on Food – I was recently surprised when I got a very healthy stir fry salad at an Asian restaurant in a good court.  It came in recyclable bowls.  Great.  But most of the people who were buying it wanted plastic lids even through they were dining in.  The reason was they wanted to shake the meal before eating it to get an even covering of the sauce.  I have no doubt this tastes good.  However, it only takes a tiny effort to stir it with the silverware.  Basically, a big plastic lid is used for 5 seconds by someone and will lay around for hundreds of years on earth now so that dish could me mixed a bit faster.  Classic dumb decision.  Get them if you need them but try not to need them and do not be frivolous with waste.

Buy Loose Fruits and Veggies – It is very convenient to buy your fruits and veggies in plastic bags.  In some cases, you cannot avoid it, or the price is so much better it just makes too much financial sense to buy the bulk bag.  However, not that long ago most things were loose.  It is often cheaper and better for you to buy loose fruits and veggies.  One reason is that the plastic packaging gives you a false sense of food safety.  If you buy loose lettuce, you are going to wash it well.  Buying pre-cut and washed lettuce gives you a sense of security that is false.  Bagged greens are one of the most common ways people get sick because they believe it does not need washed.  So buying loose, unpackages foods have several advantages, one of which is not adding a plastic wrapping to the trash bin.

Cook More with Whole Products – This is harder when you have everyone busy, but I have a hack for you.  But first, buying individual packaged meals might be convenient, but they are most likely not very healthy, and they produce unnecessary waste.  Even though they seem like cardboard containers, they are often plastic-coated and probably cannot be recycled.  Instead consider making food in batches and freezing them in reusable containers.  This will give you the convenience of microwave food but reduce salt and reduce waste in landfills.

The hack is to buy an Instapot or similar pressurized cooking device. This is a great device to cook many dishes that can be stored or frozen in smaller portions and heated up later.  If you do not have one yet, watch some YouTube videos and see why they are so nice. 

Don’t Buy Trinkets – Want to save money, reduce clutter and health the environment?  Buy less stuff.  And teach your kids to buy less things.  The proliferation of storage facilities shows you just how big the problem is.  People have trouble saying no to buying things.  But I have a secret for you.  Go to very wealthy people’s homes.  There, you will usually find nice things, but very few things.  More money usually means far fewer things.  It is the middle class and poor who are tricked into buying more and more things they do not need.

When you buy things you do not need, you are encouraging more manufacturing of unnecessary items.  It is not just a problem to have too much waste.  It is also a problem to produce too many unnecessary things that require mining, drilling, transportation, chemicals, high temperature manufacturing and packaging. 

Key Cards at Hotels – Small plastics are often considered worse than big plastics, so something thin and small like those plastic cards should be recycled or reused when they can be.  If you stay in a hotel you can usually just drop the plastic cards off at the desk and many places claim they reuse them, which I hope they do.  Saves the hotel some money and with a quick swipe, they can be reprogrammed.

Make Iced Tea, Lemonade, Juice at Home – Unless you are having a big birthday party and want a variety of drinks, you can make healthier, better Teas, Juices and Lemonade at home and avoid buying that big plastic container they come in when premade.  You can make it with less sugar and with fresh fruit and/or veggies. 

Refill Water Bottles – We all end up in situations sometimes when we need to buy a plastic bottle of water.  Maybe you did not plan to be out in the heat so long and you are away from home.  However, in most cases this does not happen by accident and simply taking a refillable water bottle with you greatly decreases plastic waste as well as saves you money because refilling at a water fountain is free.  Where safe and possible, this is a decision that should be easy for everyone.

Change Your Gift Giving – Nothing can be more frustrating than getting gifts you do not want or need.  It is so frustrating because you have to be gracious and accept the gift, and you most likely need to save it as well.  If you get a gift you do not want or need, you can consider some options.  You could return it and get something useful or convert to money if that is an option.  You can give it to someone who needs it.  You can donate it.  And you can take it as an opportunity to get your gift giving circle of family and friends to agree on a nicer option than gifts that may or may not be suitable.  It will not always make you the most popular, but if everyone agrees on less gift giving, maybe there will be less waste and less stuff clogging up your home.

Use Containers and Less Disposable Baggies – We used to use disposable baggies every day for lunches and saving small amounts of leftovers.  Once we became more aware of how wasteful this was, we started using very small containers and lids we could wash and reuse.  Now we do not even use a box of sandwich bags in a year.  We still have them for very rare situations where being able to throw them away is a necessity, but it is almost never.  The key is not to NEVER throw away plastic.  Just to greatly reduce your plastic waste production.

Packing Lunch – It is a great move to pack lunch.  You can make it healthy and save money. But back to those sandwich bags and plastic utensils.  Buy a good lunch bag, locking containers and use real forks and spoons.  You can wash it all in less than a minute at home and you will be saving a lot of plastic waste.  Over time we went from bags we threw away and plastic silverware and baggies to zero waste other than the napkin.  250+ times a year that added up to big savings and far less impact on the earth.

Reduce Toy Purchases and Donate – Anyone who has several children will tell you that the first child ends up with a bunch of toys (most likely made of plastic) that they do not play with.  Huge plastic houses, plastic cars you can drive, plastic kitchens, plastic balls in a plastic inflatable ball pit … the list goes on and on.  Now if they give your child many hours of joy it is a good thing.  But if they pile up and too much stuff makes them ignore it all, time to rethink what is best.  Consider donating thing to others when your kids do not keep playing with them.  Or swap toys with friends periodically to give your kids and their kids something new to play with.  Buy less and get creative.  Chances are some crayons will be more fun than all that other stuff anyway.

Buy Bulk, Split Up and Freeze in Containers – While it is possible to buy fresh meat from a butcher and have it wrapped in paper, I like to be a bit more practical.  One way to reduce waste and plastic in your garbage is to buy meats in larger quantities and divide it up into reusable containers and freeze portions.  They are often called “family packs” and offer a per pound discount.  While you will still have trash from the wrapping, there will be less overall Styrofoam trays and plastic wrap to be discarded.

Athletic Drinks – If there is one area I still have trouble, it is when planning for athletic events with the kids.  Hydration and proper planning are so important and nearly the only time I find myself with plastic bottles is the sports drinks for these events.  I know there are mixes you can buy and mix your own, but at this point I have been too worried about proper care to experiment with alternatives.  The key with the drinks is sodium and potassium to replace what you lose when you sweat.  Consider mixes you can add to water and then get rid of the disposable plastic bottle.  That said, this is one area I need to do better and experiment slowly in less intense situations first to see if you like the drinks.  Health and safety are number one.

Remember that this happens over time, not all at once.  The global community is working to reduce plastic waste and awareness about the problem is up.  As you take a closer look at your habits you will find it is easy to reduce how much plastic and garbage you add to the problem. 

Annual Penalty For Non-Action

Every year, in the United States, we have to file and pay federal, state and local taxes, and we have to do them because there is a due date and penalties if we failed to file. Filing taxes are chores that MUST be done every year regardless of whether you want to or have the time to do them.

In a household, there are other chores that we MUST do, but neglect to do because those chores don’t incur penalties nor do they have a due date. One of the many drawbacks to neglecting to do our household chores is the fact that we are losing money.

Here is a short list of the household expenses you must look at every year and reevaluate to see if everything is as it should be.

  1. Homeowners Insurance – Every year, your insurance company sends you the renewal papers to find out whether anything has changed. From the coverage of your home to other structures in your property, the coverage you have for the home has to make sense to you. If you have a $1,000 deductible, consider all the $1,000 additional coverage charges your insurance company is charging you every year.Your deductible comes first to pay for these losses. Why pay for them every single year if at the end you will be paying out of pocket anyway? You must have home insurance to protect your home, but you have to be vigilant about what your insurance company is charging you. If you need more information or want to find more about home insurance follow this link. https://www.usa.gov/property-insurance

    2.  

  2. Car Insurance – Nowadays, many insurance companies offer accident forgiveness or accident credits if you haven’t had an accident for the last twelve months. They offer a good student credit if you have teenagers in your policy, and they can offer you great rates if you bundle your home and car insurance. Give them a call and talk to their agents, they want your business and they will find very competitive rates to lure you over. Those TV advertisements are not all phony gimmicks, they do want your business, and shopping around for insurance coverage can save you money. For more information about car, homeowners, renters and flood insurance follow this link to this government site. www.usa.gov/property-insurance

    3.  

  3. Life Insurance – According to 2017 statistics, almost half of Americans do not have any life insurance coverage and the other half has only the basic group policy. If you have children under the age of eighteen living at home and do not have life insurance policy, we recommend to shop around and buy a policy right away. It is very scary to think of the consequences if something bad should happen to you, but it is very irresponsible to leave children financially unprotected. Many Americans that do not have a life insurance policy believe the price of having one is much more expensive than it is. With too much information at your disposal, it is easy to shop for insurance and find the best possible rates. Talk to your partner or spouse and decide what insurance policy makes sense for you and your loved ones.

On top of these, there are other things that go up frequently and you should shop around when they do.  Utilities, mobile phone and television are just some other examples.

About Those Memberships

Today we are going to explore all those membership offers you need to decide about.  Are they a good value for your family?

Is a Consumer Reports membership worth the money?

Depends.

Americans buy billions of dollars worth of merchandise every year. From clothing, toys, and electronics to the most unnecessary items on their lists. If you are a person who likes shopping or buy things online, a membership like this can give you an extensive list of options while comparing quality and prices all from one place.

If you are buying electronics, appliances, or big ticket items, it is a good idea to buy a Consumer Reports membership and find out whether the item you are buying is worth the money. They have ratings for over 8,000 items to help consumers like you and I make a better decision when buying something for our home. The membership by itself can save you money the first time you buy a big ticket item.  You can get your membership fee back in the first year if, for example, you buy the best-rated lawnmower which should last longer, have  fewer problems, and minimize maintenance expenses.

Amazon Prime membership?

The Amazon Prime membership is not worth it if you don’t buy many things at Amazon.

But if you are like the average American, then with the Amazon Prime membership you will save money on shipping and it can pay for itself.  Plus you get Amazon Prime video and free returns on many items you buy.  The video by itself can make worth having the membership to Amazon if you use that and reduce your cable bill.

Is a Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s membership worth it?  

How about those wholesale clubs?  For many families, it is worth it.  You can get four different membership options depending on what kind of membership you need, and the fee is more than worth it for many families. They can buy many items in bulk to save money, or they can store them when they find them on sale for future use.

One issue is they have so many items on sale and in bulk.  This makes the impulse to buy them hard to resist, and that is one of the major drawbacks of having a wholesale membership like this. Items that are on sale and the price is too good to pass is one of the reasons this membership is not worth the money.  A family might end up with too much stuff in their home and things they do not really need, like a box of muffins or a case of soap.  If you are not saving a lot, or if you are taking too long to use these items, remember there is interest on charge card debt or your money could be used to invest and earn more money, instead of buying enough product to last two years.

Impulse buying is a big thing when entering stores like these, and like it or not, we all love to get a good deal. Knowing what you need and what you will use is a must.  Also, avoiding bulk items that are unhealthy, no matter how good the deal is, will save you money and improve your health.  If you cannot resist these temptations, then these memberships are a bad deal for you.

 

Personal Tax Prep for Free

Most Americans know April 15 is Tax day.  Some years, such as 2021, this is changed. Because of unforeseeable circumstances, the federal government can change the due date to accommodate the new circumstances afflicting the American population, and to give them more time to do so in a timely matter.

State and local authorities tend to follow the same due dates the federal government dictates, and that makes it easy for people to filed all taxes at the same time.

There are different ways you can file your taxes, and all depends on the complexity and the level of comfort and knowledge you have to file them. Here are the 4 most common ways you can file your federal, state, and local taxes.

  1. Your personal accountant
  2. Electronic filing
  3. Commercial businesses filing for you.  Ex. Walmart , etc.
  4. Personally finding the forms and filing them on your own

For many personal filers, electronic filing has been the preferred choice for many years.  There are many companies offering to file your taxes or to help you file an extension to file. The price, the easy access, and the guidance they offer to file is an easy choice to make for many consumers.

Through the IRS website, there are 9 IRS Free File Online offers you can look over and choose  the best option for you. Not all of them are the same, and not all of them offer the same guidance you might need to file.  If you are comfortable filing your taxes online and want to have the choice of filing your state taxes as well, many of these companies offer to file them for you for a price.  For many families in the United States looking for ways to save money and ease the financial burden and stress of filing, these companies can be the solution for you.

The price to file your federal and state taxes differ greatly from company to company.  It is perfectly acceptable if you have filed your taxes online with one company, but this year decide you might want to try something new. It is very tempting to keep going with the same company because they have all your personal information stored for you, and it is easy and comfortable to just go along with it. But, because of the commodity of having your information stored in their business, they have to charge you to do so in other ways.  Some companies force you to file different forms for your taxes to charge you a premium to do so. And even if you qualify for free filing, that option is so impossible to find, you end up paying the fee. In some instances, the price you pay to file can be twice as much as filing with another company.

Choosing the right company is important and can save you money.  One company that can file your taxes for free if you qualify, or can charge you a very reasonable price is FREE 1040 TAX RETURN.COM INC.  The price for filing your federal return is $39.95. They do not have videos for you to watch if you have a question, but the questions are straight forward and do not need those videos. If you have a question and cannot find the answer in their  FAQ section, they won’t charge you a fee for contacting their customer service department. Filing your state taxes is about $19.95 dollars, and that price is worth the trouble for many people. From the other 8 choices offered through the IRS website, look them over carefully before you decide which one to use. Regardless of your preferred choice, remember not all of them are the same, and not all of them offer great prices. You still have time to look them over, compare prices and services, and file your federal, and state taxes before the due date.

Summer Home and Vacation Savings

Vacation Saving Tips (If You Are Driving)

As the time to start planning your summer vacation approaches, gas prices are going up.  It happens every year in anticipation of the travel season. Even if money is not an issue for you, these tips will help you be good to the environment, and help you save for other things you want to do with that money.

1. Shop around – Some of the best apps for your iPhone that are free and can save you money right away are:

  • a) GasBuddy
  • b) AAA Mobile
  • c) Gas Guru

2. Use Apps to help you with traffic and rerouting trips to avoid traffic jams, accidents or

  • a) Waze
  • b) Route4Me
  • c) inRoute

3. Check your vehicle’s tires. Having a well maintained car will help you save on gas.  The efficiency of your vehicle on the road depends on how well maintained you have kept your car all year round.

4. Follow the speed limit signs. Even when you have a long road ahead, driving at the speed limit posted can save you money on gas.  Driving slower and at a consistent speed burns less fuel, and if traveling for a long trip, use your cruise control to keep a consistent and moderate speed.

5. Keep it light – Excessive baggage or a roof box cargo can make gas consumption a bit expensive. Keeping your windows and sunroof close will reduce the drag, making you car more aerodynamic.

Home Saving Tips

Many of the new  homes have excellent windows, new roofs, new air conditioning units, etc.  Everything is new and working properly.  But, if you have an older home and are looking to save energy and money, what are some of the energy saving tips that will also save you money?

  1. Replacing your old air conditioning unit is not something we do frequently, they last a long time and they are expensive. But, if you have an old unit, the efficiency is not longer there. The electric bill is probably not a pretty sight every month, so replacing the unit is probably the only solution that can save you money in the long run.
  2. Replacing old Windows – The draft you feel as you get close to a window or door is heat leaving your home and making your gas or electric bill higher than it should be. Replacing old windows or doors can save you money in heating bills and add value to your home.
  3. Keeping the temperatures in your home at comfortable levels can save you money.  Too cold in the summer months and too warm in the winter can add hundreds of dollars a year.  Try a difference of a couple degrees and see if you feel a difference in your comfort level and notice the difference in your bill.
  4. Turning off the lights in your home and appliances or other electronic devices that nobody is using saves electricity and money.
  5. Remind your children that the water in the home is not heated by the sun. A short shower can save water and electricity and hundreds of dollars a year.

By using some of these tips, you will not only save money but will help the environment as well.

 

 

 

5 Ways To Improve Your Life AND Cut Expenses

The first thing we need to do is agree that some of the things in this article are not going to be more fun.  When I write, “Improve Your Life” I mean in a healthy way, not in a binge drinking frat party way.  The real key to this article is if follow all of these things, you should save many thousands of dollars per year and also be healthier and happier.

Next I want to say I got this information from all over.  We reference some things, in other cases you can do a search and find different numbers from different sources.  This is not a scientific research paper – just an interesting article on how to save money while improving your life.

Cold Showers

Your first reaction might be “Hell no!” but give me a moment.  There are a lot of people that swear by cold (or colder) showers because they have significant benefits and they save you money.  Cold showers have been associated with increases Alertness, Refines Hair and Skin, Improves Immunity and Circulation, Stimulating Weight Loss, Speeding Up Muscle Soreness and Recovery, Easing Stress and Relieving Depression.  I have also heard that taking a cold shower when you cannot go to sleep and getting in bed right away will put you in a great, deep sleep if you have trouble with that kind of thing.

So fine, it is good for you if you can hack it.  But does it save you a lot of money?  I found a calculator for shower costs online here.  I did an example where I did a colder, shorter shower and a longer, hotter shower and compared the cost.  Turns out a family of 4 would save $478.50 in a year.  Not bad – and good for you.

Drink Less

Well, this is already starting to sound really sucky.  Take cold showers and stop drinking.  But in 2018 more evidence has been steadily coming out that the whole 1-2 drinks a day are good for you thing is not really true.  Women should have much less than that and even men should only be have a couple a week.  I found another calculator that will help you see how much you are spending weekly on alcohol.  And remember, it is not as good for you as you have been lead to believe.

In this very reasonable example, I have used this calculator and estimated a $1,872 annual expense per person.  If you live in a big city and like to go out with friends or coworkers a lot you are spending a lot more than this in fact.

Eat Less

The average American consumes more than 3,600 calories daily.  This is a 24% increase from 1961, when the average was just 2,880 calories. A man needs around 2,500kcal a day to maintain his weight with a healthy , balanced diet. Woman need around 2,000kcal a day. These values can vary depending on age, metabolism and physical activity, among other things.  Body builders and professional swimmers should not try this at home.

With all of this in mind, we simply eat too much – and food costs money.  We eat 37.5% too much food to be exactish.

How much money does the average person spend on food per month?  This figure varies based on age and income level.  Assuming you are middle class and a fairly young adult, it is $173 per week times 52 weeks which equals $8,996 in annual food costs.  Now if we cut that back by 37.5%, we would be saving $3373.50 per year per person.  And you would also save money on health care as it would reduce the likelihood of many weight related diseases.

This gets even crazier when you consider Forty percent of food in the United States is never eaten, amounting to $165 billion a year in wasted food, according to a report from the Natural Resources Defense Council.  This would figure that you might be throwing away 40% of the groceries.  If you are someone throwing away a lot of food, plus eating 37% more calories than you need, it means 75% of your groceries could be wasted or eaten when they should not be.

Cook More

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014, the average American household spent $2,787 on restaurant meals and takeout, compared to $3,971 on groceries. But in 2015, the average amount spent on restaurants and takeout jumped $221 to $3,008. Grocery spending, by contrast, increased just $44 per household to $4,015.

We all know that restaurant food tastes great.  It is higher in sodium, bacon fat, fried breading and slathered in butter or some delicious sauce.   If you learn to make good, healthy meals at home and cut the restaurants, you can save money and be healthier very easily.  Going out no more than once a week should cut that restaurant bill in half or less, saving approximately $1,500 a year and

Walk or Bike More Short Trips

In 2017, the average household made 1.5 trips per week to grocery store.  Most likely these were done driving.  As mentioned above in the article, chances are you have too much food in your home already so going 6 times a month is too much.  But instead of saying “You can’t go”  let’s say you can only go on bike or walking unless you are going for a big run that should only happen 2-3 times per month.

Walking and biking are great exercise and if you really want something, just make yourself go on foot.  Chances are the craving will not be worth it if you have to walk there.

By using this strategy you will help yourself cut down on those food and alcohol expenses mentioned above while also saving gas and car maintenance.  AAA estimates that it costs 58 cents per mile to operate a car. Of that 58 cents,  only around 11 cents is in gas. The other 47 cents goes for expenses like, maintenance, insurance and depreciation.

So if you cut down on short trips by walking or riding your bike more, you could save several dollars on each trip and get better fit and buy less crap.  Putting a savings tag on this is harder but let’s say you cut $5 a week in car expenses plus another $10 per week in stuff you do not buy on a whim.  That is small but would add up to $780 saved in a year.

All told, all of these things would make you healthier.  And I certainly do not mean to imply to never take a hot shower or have a glass of wine again.  But the little daily things add up to huge savings and health benefits.  Let’s recap.

In one year, a family of 4 average people can save the following:

  • Cold Showers: $478.50
  • 2 Adults In Family Cut Drinking: $3,774
  • Eating Only Recommended Calories for Family of 4: $13,494
  • Eating Out Maximum 1 time per week: $1,500
  • Walking more and driving less: $780

This is all based on averages, different sources and fuzzy math.  We are just having fun here.  But this would suggest these changes could save an average family of four $20,026.50 per year.  Your results will vary.  But that is a lot of savings and health benefit.

If this all seems a little extreme, remember to start small and no one says you have to go to this level.  Shorter showers and less restaurants alone could save you some cash.  Make it work for you.  This is just an example of how you can imagine a different life.

Get Your Home Ready To Sell

If you are thinking about selling your home and are wondering when it’s the best time to do so, it depends on where you live in the country. There are specific times of the year to put your home in the market if you want to have good results.

An article by Zillow puts the month of May as the best time to put your home in the market. But, other articles, put April as the best time for the Northeast part of the country to list the home. Regardless of what research tells you, you will list your home when you are ready and are comfortable dealing with everything that comes from putting a home for sale.

If you are thinking about selling a home and are wondering about the best home improvements or steps to take to get the best price, here is a list:

  1. Staging – Believe it or not, this is an industry that has many companies making a great living out of staging homes to sell.  A realtor can also give you great advice about your home if you want to go that route, and they can give you some advice about what you need to do to make it a better sell.
  2. Home improvements that you can do yourself are the best way to get the best return on your investment. Painting the rooms of your house yourself can save a few hundred dollars that can be recouped when the sale is closed. Decluttering the home can be a great selling point that you and your family can do by yourselves.
  3. Fixing up your kitchen or the bathroom of the home can be expensive, but remember you do not have to replace everything to make it look nice. Painting the walls of the bathroom or kitchen can make your rooms look new, without going to the extra expense. If you can replace old appliances, and a new faucet in the bathroom, go ahead, those are expenses that you can recoup at the end of the sale.
  4. Curb Appeal – Dead plants, overgrown bushes, and branches falling are some of the curb appeals prospective homeowners do not want to see. A nice spring garden can be a very welcoming sight for many people.  Clean up all dead leaves and branches from the year before to make sure the flower beds are nice and clean.
  5. Basement Waterproofing – even if you have a beautiful kitchen, painted bathroom with new faucets and a spotless yard when prospective homeowners go to check the basement and find water, the deal can be off right then and there.  Basement waterproofing is not very attractive for many homeowners, and the expense can be too much for them. But, if you are considering putting the home for sale, waterproofing the basement of your home can be the difference between selling the home or not.  Water running through the basement will send potential buyers running for the door.