Lux Thinking Aloud How To Improve Your Financial Literacy And Be Truly Rich 9:44 PM One of my biggest regrets in life is not taking money seriously early on. If I can give my younger self any advice, it is this: improve your financial literacy. How to improve your financial literacy and be truly rich is not as hard or boring as it sounds. Especially thanks to the internet. Genius Albert Einstein himself said, "Compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe." Time is essential in investing. At the present, it is bear market (prices are falling). While the stock market is down is actually a great time to buy. Because it's like shopping while everything is on sale. I'm not an expert in investing. In fact, I don't have millions---yet (that's the dream!). That's why I do my research, I read books about it, I attend seminars and webinars to help me change my mindset first and learn the right strategies in increasing my income flow.I read reviews about online brokers like robinhood app review so I'm in the know. I look for people or organizations that can guide me and help me reach my goals. That's why I signed up and became a member of the Truly Rich Club. Why Truly Rich? Because true wealth is not just about increasing your finances. It is also about growing abundantly in all areas of your life. As founder Bo Sanchez believes, you can get rich without robbing your soul. What I've Learned About Money Everybody wants to eat but only a few is willing to hunt. We all wish we have a convenient and comfortable life. Sure we hear some people say they just want the simple life. That wanting to be rich is ambitious, selfish and worldly. But you also hear them complain about how they can't afford something they want---even it's just as simple as going to the movies or traveling. They'd say "If only I have some extra cash, I'd buy this or I'll do that." Most people are content to daydream about becoming rich but they don't want to put in the work. They don't like to hassle. They want to skip the grind. Giphy In the animal kingdom, you don't get to eat if you don't hunt. In the Bible "If anyone isn't willing to work, he should not eat." - 2 Thessalonians 3:10 There is no shortcut to success. I have joined several networking companies promising a quick way to become wealthy. In my recklessness as a youth and my dream to "retire young and rich" I invested hard-earned money to these companies. I've learned my lesson the hard way to put it simply. But these lessons are priceless. And I'm glad that somehow, I took the risks in investing while I was younger and single. It would have been a different story if I gambled my kids' tuition fees or used my retirement fund for it. There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs - Zig Ziglar Start early so you can fail early. Then start again. Wiser every time. Tenor Prosperity is a gift It is part of God's plans to prosper us (Jeremiah 29:11). And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:8 As a good Father that He is, He generously provides for our needs and takes delight in blessing us abundantly (Deuteronomy 30:8-10). As a gift, prosperity needs to be shared. Prosperity should be used to help build the kingdom of God. Giphy God wants His children to live abundantly. Translation: God wants us to be rich. If you don't want to believe me, read what the Bible says about money. To be truly rich is to be selfless In my journey towards financial freedom through financial literacy, I often stumble. It's tempting to stop and be content with good enough because honestly, what's wrong with that? Having enough means you can eat three decent meals a day. You can travel once in a while. You can watch movies whenever you want. You can have a slice of cake for dessert. You can enjoy life having enough. But then I would see people and animals who are homeless, sick, abandoned and clearly needing help. I can't count the times I wish I could stop and not just feed a hungry dog in the street but take him home and give him the best life he deserves. But I can't. Having dogs doesn't come cheap. I know the vet bills and food can take a huge chunk in your budget. I know because we have 16 dogs at home. I asked God, "What can I do? How can I help when I only have just enough for myself?" That's when I realized that to have just enough is never really enough if I want to do more good for the world. To be content with the good is stopping myself from becoming great so others can also benefit. No, it's not encouraging people to be social parasites. It's not feeding the sluggard. It's having the means to teach them how to fish and not just give them a fish. It's allowing myself to be an instrument through which God's blessings can flow to those who need them Giphy To be truly rich is to be a channel of God's grace. It is about being bold enough to ask God not just to bless you with enough but to bless you with a double portion so you can in turn bless the world. To be truly rich is to be selfless. How to Improve Your Financial Literacy I know my weaknesses and I am fully aware that I cannot be rich on my own. I agree with George Matthew Adams that "There is no such thing as a 'self-made' man. We are made up of thousands of others." I hate Math. I don't know how I passed my Math subjects. I see long calculations and my mind starts to go blank. But money is about numbers. Stock market is about figures. How can I increase my finances through it if I know it will be hard for me to understand? Simple: seek help from the experts. That's what I love about Truly Rich Club. They are a team of experts giving you daily updates about what to buy, sell or hold in the stock market. Not only do they send Power Talks and tips you need to prosper financially, they also send inspirational talks about health, personality development and most of all about spiritual growth. GodWhispersClub.com - Get A Megadose of Blessing. And Take Your Life To A New Direction. 52 Healing Habits - How to Transform Your Health, in Body and Soul, One Simple and Powerful Habit at a Time! Good news! I have never attended a Wealth Summit by Bo Sanchez because honestly, it's quite expensive. But here's the good news: The first ever TrulyRichClub Online Wealth Summit is here! It will be on September 22, 2018 (Saturday, 8:00AM to 12:00PM). At the comfort of your homes (or wherever you are in the world), you can learn: How to invest in the stock market Change your financial mindset Grow in your financial life Here's the best part: Webinar fee is 100 Php or 2 USD (Price will go up to Php 200 or 4 USD by August 11, 2018). How much is your cup of coffee? How much did you pay for your smartphone? How much did you spend on your last shopping? How much was that movie ticket? Surely, it's more than this ticket price. This is a rare opportunity that you don't want to miss. If you're ready to change your life and bless the world, this is your ticket to that. Be financially free. Learn how to improve your financial literacy and be truly rich. Truly Rich Club Online Wealth Summit 2018 Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Freelancing 5 Things To Make Your Summer Productive And Fun 9:18 PM 5 Things To Make Your Summer Productive And Fun Summer is here! We can all feel the temperature rising. How do you want to spend your summer this year? Another vacation? Visit new places? Couch-surf? Summer is also the best time to learn something new or start a new hobby or project. If you don't want to be glued to the couch all summer long, it's time to look for a summer job or start a business. Start earning some bucks while others toast their bun under the sun. Here are five things to do to make your summer productive and fun, especially for students. 1. Intern or get hired. It's not as bad as it sounds. Getting a summer job or internship can help you build your portfolio or add to your experiences, giving you an edge when you finally apply for a job.If you have an excellent performance, the company can open its doors for you after you graduate or put in a good word for you to others. Plus, you need extra cash for the school year or an additional income if you're already working. 2. Start a business.You can do many productive things over the summer as a student, and earning money is one of them.You don't have to purchase a franchise or borrow loads of money to start your own business. You can start at home. With zero capital. How? Use your skills. Are you a good cook? Sell your sumptuous dishes.Can make bonsais or succulents? A lot of people have become plant parents in the past year. They'd be more than happy to buy from you.Do you have an eye for taking awe-inspiring photographs? Get hired.Are you good at any sports? Teach. If you're a great swimmer, swimming classes are big during summer. Offer online services by creating a profile on platforms like LinkedIn or a marketplace like Upwork.Ask friends if they can refer you to a client.If you live in a touristy place, you can be a tour guide for people visiting your town or city. With the help of the internet, the possibilities to make your summer fun and productive are endless. 3. Get sporty. Since summer is the best time to be outdoors, learn a new sport. Volleyball, softball, tennis, golf, whatever it is you're interested in, do your research and be prepared. In softball, for example, buy the proper gear and/or equipment needed. Choosing the right softball bat is paramount. Pick one of excellent quality, durable, and helps you perform well. Many sports stores can offer this, and you can also use it online. One website that can give you complete information about softball bats is aroundthebats.com. They provide a comprehensive buying guide and look at top brands and the rules and regulations of leading softball associations to help give you the best material you need.Make sports a part of your productive summer routine, so you stay physically fit and mentally sound. 4. Volunteer. What can be more productive and noble than offering your services to those in need without asking for anything in return? Here's where and how you can serve: Volunteer at a shelter and help animals in distress. Foster a rescued animal.Help serve in charities and do community service like clean-up drives.Work with the youth by tutoring.Help organizations that reach out to the less fortunate.Help serve in homeless shelters.Donate or volunteer at food banks. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.- Aesop 5. Learn something new. Enroll in summer classes to improve your skills or learn something totally new. Here are some new things you can discover this summer.A new languageNew hobbies like cooking, gardening, knitting, painting, bar-tending, and writing.CalligraphyAstronomyOrigamiPhotographyYou can learn all these by enrolling online or in a nearby school or learning center. Find something that aligns with your passion or something you can use later to monetize. Not only will you be more productive, but you'll also meet some interesting people along the way.Looking for an exciting and enriching way to make your summer productive and fun? How about delving into the vibrant culture of Japan by studying Japanese in Sydney? Immerse yourself in the language, discover the art of sushi-making, and embrace the beauty of traditional tea ceremonies. Expand your horizons while enjoying a memorable and educational summer experience. Make Your Summer Productive And Fun Don't let another summer pass you by. Use this time not only to have fun but also to be more creative and fruitful. Discover your passion and purpose while earning some profit on the side. Make this season something that will improve your life by making your summer productive and fun.What fun and exciting summer activities are you doing this year?
For Moms Use Your Business To Teach Your Kids Life Skills 7:52 PM Kids learn more about life by observing rather than just studying. They are often more aware of things that we could ever try to be aware of. Those are the best teachable moments with life skills that will get them to their adult years. It is important to include your children in things you may think they don’t understand, especially in matters of business. Today we take a look at a massage therapy business and how it can be that teaching tool to empower your children to achieve their dreams. Use Your Business To Teach Your Kids Life Skills Working Hard Reaps Rewards All massage therapists have to be trained and obtain state licensing in order to operate a business. Often, this looks like a one to two-year endeavor that comes with rewards each step of the way. They notice you taking classes and practicing on family and friends. They question why you put so much energy into this thing that you desire so much. They may even ask you and look skeptical when you show enthusiasm. They hear you complain when things get tough or you are just ready to be done, they wonder some more about why you are “torturing” yourself. Then you graduate and get the licensing. You are jumping up and down for joy and they see how important it was for all that hard work. The rewards don’t stop there. They will see you working hard and growing a business that pays for their doctor appointments and piano lessons. Every step of growth is noted and you should include them so they too can be motivated to chase their own dream. Financial Scene Can Help Them Some parents shy away from telling their children about finances. They don’t want their children to share details of bank accounts or when things get difficult. Really, using your business is a great way to show them what it takes and the best financial practices they can apply themselves when the time comes. For example, if you are shopping for Earthlite massage therapy supplies, allowing them to see how much it costs to run a business is a good thing. Showing them how you budget for those items and showing them how you allocate it into your prices are also good things. A reality check on expenses allows them to understand how it affects the budget and the sales price. You are teaching them a valuable skill on how to create their own successful business! Let Them Work With You You can also include your children with age-appropriate work that can let them learn more about your business. It may be as simple as going through voicemail or filing some documents somewhere. Maybe they can help keep your massage room neat and tidy or restock some shelves with supplies. When you make them a part of your business, they get to understand so much more by doing rather than reading a book. We do want to stress that it isn’t necessarily about grooming your child to take over your business one day. Their interests might lie somewhere else that is something that can turn into a money-making endeavor later on. Whether they choose to take on a family business or start their own, it’s the lessons that are valuable in teaching them to be contributing community members. Just think of all the life skills that take place within one little business like massage therapy. They learn financial skills, nurture that entrepreneurial spirit, contributing to their local community, and self-sustaining. These are all important to a well-functioning society and we can’t rely on traditional schools to teach it. You add to their education, without them knowing it, and you have given them more of an upper hand than they will ever realize. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Home Things To Know Before You Build Your Dream Home 9:47 PM Things To Know Before You Build Your Dream Home Building your dream home is an exciting project. Depending on the resources you have available, the home's design, and location, this project could take up to six months or a year, or more in some cases. There is no substitute for hiring a reliable home-building company to get the job done right, especially when you're planning to customize a house.Establish a realistic budget for the projectHow much does it cost to build your dream home? If you listen to friends and family members who have built a house, they will tell you that establishing a realistic budget and sticking to it will keep your stress levels low. Whether you are paying cash or financing a portion of the project, you must have your numbers written down, setting a limit for spending. Your budget will guide you to enjoy the future in a dream home and one that meets your needs and budget. Interview and select a reliable home builder The next step in building your dream house is to take your budget to the marketplace and discuss your vision with a reliable home builder to decide who you will hire for the job. A professional architect can draw up a blueprint with specific details that a builder can follow.Architects take your dreams and put them on paper, sketching out each room and hallway with specifications about the size of each room and area of the home. Finally, a homebuyer, builder, and designer can look at your blueprint and know exactly what your home's frame will look like, helping you create your dream house. Set goals and a project timeline Selecting a reliable home-building company is extremely important. Be sure to check their references before you hire one. A home builder can review your blueprint and discuss a timeline for building your home. Then, the home builder and designer can work together to identify design options and finishes that fit within your budget. Once you decide on floors, lighting, paint, and other desired finishes, a realistic timeline can be established for the project. It is essential to realize that schedules are flexible and that you must plan for possible delays before hiring a professional moving company to finish the job. Some problems that can hold up a project are beyond a builder's control. For example, the weather is one of the issues that can set a project back. Building a new home in cold locales in the winter or during a rainy season can slow progress. Therefore, taking probable weather conditions into account during the planning phase is recommended. Complete the project and move into your new home It is hard to contain your excitement as your new home starts to come together. Finally, it is time to hire an affordable moving company. Then, inspect your dream home and close it. Remember, you want a company that can be flexible, just in case the closing is delayed.Larger moving companies may be capable of offering more scheduling flexibility. When it is finally over, pat yourself on the back and move in. Final WordsWhat is your dream house, and why? No matter what it is, you can build your dream home for fun using online apps for free. Try it first and see if you can turn it into reality. By knowing these things, you can best be prepared, learn how to build your dream home, and move in sooner than you'd hoped.
Listicle 5 Financial Tips For Our Millennial Children 9:32 PM The world our children are growing up is not the same world as we grew up in. This is not always a bad thing; we just have to help guide them to make good financial decisions and other life choices to help them be as successful as possible. When trying to train our children, there are several financial tips that will help them when they grow up. Here are a few: 5 Financial Tips for Our Millennial Children 1. Pay Down Debt As Soon As Possible Teaching your children the freedom you feel when debt is paid off is one of the best gifts you could ever give them. If you are currently trying to pay off debt, keep them involved in the process and let them celebrate with you as different things are checked off of your list. Helping learn this important life goal will help them have more freedom to do what they want to do in life instead of always owing money to a credit card company or bank. 2. Start Saving For Retirement When your child is 18 years old, the last thing they are thinking about is their retirement years. In fact, all they can think about is getting through college to start their future career or dream job. Teach them to put aside a portion of their pay every month into IRS’s and investment accounts. Discuss with them how compound interest works so they can see how money grows over time. The earlier they start the earlier they will reach their financial goals. 3. Choose Low Interest Loans When obtaining a credit card or student loan, encourage them to take the option with the lowest possible interest rate in order to save the most amount of money. People don't realize how much they throw down the drain on high interest rates to lending companies. The lower the interest rate, the better off you will be if you are having to take out a loan at all. A great example you can give your kids is taking out a private student loan. These loans are personally guaranteed by the borrower which means they have to pay it back or severely damage their credit. To ensure they are able to pay the loan back, it’s essential that they get a low interest rate. These low interest rates come from good credit history and can be refinanced later on to lower the interest rate. 4. Prepare For Emergencies An important life lesson to teach your children is to always be aware of their surroundings and prepared for anything life throws at them. This means physically, emotionally as well as financially. Having an emergency fund will come in handy when your tire blows on the interstate or you drop your cell phone and the screen shatters. Life happens and you need to help them be as prepared as possible to handle these various situations. Making it a hurdle for accessing the money might be beneficial to keep them from spending it on the newest gadget or romper they just had to have at the department store. 5. Don't Be Afraid To Talk About Money This goes for parents to children as well as your child to their future spouse. When getting married, you need to be on the same page as your spouse financially so you can achieve your goals together. As parents to children, don't be afraid to talk about money in front of them, as long as you speak in a positive manner about it. They don't need to know if you are struggling, necessarily, but they do need to know that making money decisions is a group effort and it is okay to talk about. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
How-To How To Start A Lifestyle Blog: 7 Simple Steps To Follow 10:49 PM Online influencers and bloggers don't only have the trendiest and coolest job today. They also are financially and emotionally rewarded. How many lifestyle bloggers do you know are living your dream life? They travel, experience, and do what they love. How to start a lifestyle blog? That is the million-dollar question. Where do you begin? As a lifestyle blogger, I've gathered some simple and practical tips for building your own little kingdom on the internet. But first...What is a lifestyle blog? A lifestyle blog is where you, the Blogger, share your life with your readers, interests, activities, and thoughts. It's that simple. How to Start a Lifestyle Blog: 7 Simple Steps to Follow 1. Find Your Niche Before you even create an account, think about what your niche will be. Your niche is that one topic your blog will be centered on. Most people have numerous interests, so their blog niche is wide and varied. This is okay as long as you know how to categorize and can talk about each regularly. For beginners, the advice would be to stick to a specific topic first. To find your niche, ask yourself these questions: What is your primary interest? What do you love to do? What are you most knowledgeable about? Knowing and having your own niche is essential in blogging because: Your place will attract your target audience. You will be considered an expert on this topic. If you haven't established a following yet, stick to one topic to avoid confusing your readers. A confused reader will unlikely return. 2. Choose a platform The experts would advise choosing WordPress to make your blog look more professional. I have started with Blogger (while it was still Blogspot), and so far, no regrets. For me, it is easier to navigate. Numerous layouts now are either free or paid for that suit your taste and style. I've seen a lot of successful lifestyle bloggers that use Blogger and WordPress. Do your research and find out which one works for you. 3. Get a domain name In deciding what to name your blog, remember to... Choose a catchy name, so it's easy to remember. Keep it simple. Make your domain name reflect your blog's niche so people would know what to expect. This also helps in keyword searching. For example, people who want to read about traveling to Southeast Asia will unlikely use the keyword "constellation" in the search bar.You can buy a domain name to make your blog look more legit and professional. It is a small but essential investment.It is tempting to use your name as a domain name, but experts suggest against it. Especially if you're not a celebrity. Some use their names, and it works just fine. Just put in the work of increasing the traffic to your blog. 4. Get your own URL Nothing says professional, official, and authentic than having your own .com. There are many hosting services to choose from now. Do your own research (yes, research is a big part of blogging). Which one is best for you as most of these services offer promos and discounts. They can also offer other services like customized email addresses and plugins. 5. Design your page Your page is your online home or presence, so to speak. It is like welcoming visitors into your sanctuary and offering them what you know and have. Design your page to reflect your personality and niche. Then, make it show your signature. You'll be spending most of your time on your blog, so you might as well create one you'll always be happy to visit. Important:Make sure your website is not only pleasing to you but that it also appeals to readers. Some font colors are too painful and strenuous to the eyes. Some background music or designs are too distracting. Your reader's experience is essential. When they find it hard to focus on the content, they leave, and most of the time, they never return. 6. Research It's never-ending research. Be diligent in finding answers and tips online to help you with your content. Research also helps you find solutions when you encounter technical issues. The world is bursting with fake news nowadays. Do your own research before publishing something to double-check the authenticity or credibility of the topic.Be someone your readers can trust. 7. Write great content Content is still king.No matter how appealing your domain name is...Even if you have the most impressive web design...No one will want to follow your blog if you write like a robot. Write engaging, informative, inspiring, funny, or stirring content. Proofread. Double chekc speling. (See what I did there?)Give people a reason to hit that Share button, leave a comment and recommend your blog to their friends.Most importantly (and I strongly suggest), write honestly and from the heart.Write for people and not for SEO ranking.When you do what you love and love what you do, you hit the sweet spot between profit and passion. That is your purpose.Keep these tips in mind, and don't forget to always bring your patience, perseverance, and positive attitude. Because successful blogging is not just about posting a photo or a frivolous hobby. It involves a lot of hard work.If you believe blogging is your purpose, today's the best time to start a lifestyle blog.
Listicle How Coupons Can Change Your Life: Savings Without Compromises 12:53 PM How Coupons Can Change Your Life Are you an avid online shopper? If you haven't taken discount coupons seriously, maybe now is the time. The best thing about shopping coupons, like target promo codes, is that it's a win-win situation. Businesses get more customers by reducing prices and making attractive offers; you only need to show up. A sustained strategy of using coupons when buying household items on Amazon and other websites can lead to savings without compromises. If you're still wondering how coupons can change your life, keep reading and discover the powerful impact of smart couponing. Different Types of SavingsDiscount coupons are not just about getting customers to make impulse buys. If you sign up for a top coupon service, you can save money on many things. From essential services to hobby-related activities and supplies for the family, a complete range of products and services are available for you to explore. Find coupons for the best e-commerce websites in the UK at www.plusvouchercode.co.uk. Some of the websites covered include Nike, Amazon, and eBay. Manage your expenses without having to take drastic measures. Change the way you shop and get the best products at great discounts. How? Coupons! 1. Coupons for Travelers As a frequent traveller, you may have seen yourself blowing up money on transit like ferries, shuttles, and hired cars. Instead, you can pick up travel and parking coupons and reduce cash spending. These coupons are also an excellent choice for those going on holiday. Coupons can change your life as a traveller by saving a bit of cash that can be added to your recreation budget instead. 2. Coupons for the Fashionistas If you love shopping for clothes, then coupons are just what you need. Get more for your budget at the best online apparel portals. You can get alerts when new offers and discount events are happening. According to the 2017 Great British Wardrobe Report, the average Brit spends over a thousand quid on clothes yearly. Imagine how much savings you'll make if you start using discount codes for the same clothes others pay for. 3. Coupons for Entertainment Deals Are you a big fan of video games? Then coupons will just change your life drastically.Stop getting ripped off by retailers and play it smart with discount codes. MyGeekBox, GameSeek, and Nintendo are just some big companies offering discounts on your favorite titles. You can even save money on pre-orders with coupons. You can also spend less on the cinema hall's latest blockbusters and award-season releases. Spend only a fraction while your kids enjoy their favorite Marvel superhero in IMAX or get discounts on the latest music albums. Satellite TV can be a monster when it comes to costs. Ease away the concern and enjoy the footie and your favorite shoes without worries with a Sky or Now TV coupon. Entertainment need not be an expensive affair all the time. 4. Coupons for Office Supplies and More Shave off some operational costs at the office with the right discount coupons. Basic office expenses like printing, stationery, and even portable power stations can amount to thousands of pounds. This is where you can use discount codes to your advantage. If you find the right coupon from a site such as BrokeScholar, then you will be able to knock some money off the supplies you need in your office.Coupon codes can translate to serious savings and more efficient budget utilization. Euroffice and Book People are just some of the top sites where you can enjoy smart pricing on various products and services. 5. Coupons for Pet Lovers, Gadget Freaks, and Health EnthusiastsThere are many other ways discount coupons can reshape your monthly expenditures and change your life for the better. Pet LoversPet supplements and pet food are expensive; you wouldn't want to compromise your precious kitty's or pup's diet. Pay less for essential items on sites like Waitrose Pet and Pet Drugs Online.Gadget FreaksEver bought the latest gadget at a hefty price only to see it at a discount a few months later? It does not mean you need to stop buying electronics – but you can stay ahead of the curve with coupons that allow you to pay less than the regular market prices.Health EnthusiastsThey say health is wealth, but the last thing you feel after picking up a nice set of jogging shoes is wealth. The same goes for expensive supplements and other training gear. With discount codes, you can save on a large inventory of products at trusted websites like Nike and BodyBuilding.com. Are you an outdoorsy person? Get the top-shelve equipment for your next camping trip, made possible with a discount coupon. This post contains affiliate links, so we'd get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost. How to Coupon for BeginnersIs couponing hard? It's not according to Coupons with Alysia. Here's how to get started, according to the expert:Coupons Can Change Your LifeAccording to a Statista market report, 20 percent of coupon users in 2014 got discounts online. The smart shopper has realised that to negotiate rising costs, one has to stick to the best deals. Do you shop using discount codes? You should because the money you save with coupons can change your life. Start exploring the many discounts available, you'llu'll soon discover the financial freedom that comes with wise spending.
Listicle 7 Ways Of Lowering Your Electric Costs 5:00 PM Want to cut your energy use and also your energy costs - these tips will help you out. 7 Ways Of Lowering Your Electric Costs 1. Go Solar Switching to solar may seem like one of the apparent options when it comes to lowering your power costs at home, but it is still worth a mention. On the one hand, you will have to pull out your wallet when getting the solar power setup, but the costs are affordable especially when looking at things from a long-term perspective. It is estimated that a household that switches to solar power saves tens of thousands of dollars over the solar power system's tenure. You can check if there is a solar leasing option within your location which you can resort to and avoid purchasing the entire system therein saving money. One of the recent energy efficiency studies showed that homes that the average middle-class home that uses the solar leasing saves around $600 annually. The sun will never fail to shine, even if not very bright and our dependence on electricity is predictable. Therefore, you can rely on a never-ending power source and manage to know the much you can save when you opt to switch to solar power. Alternatively, you can get help with the estimates so that you are better convinced of changing to solar. 2. Switch To LEDs As you make plans to harness the power of the sun, you also should ensure your lighting options are in line with such ambitions. For this, you need to lower the power demands of your lights, and this means installing LED bulbs. The incandescent one may help to warm up the place buy they use up a lot of electricity and will overwork your solar energy power reserves. Things are relatively cheaper with LED lighting since most of the LED bulbs are affordable and present highly efficient green lighting that can last for years. LEDs do not have mercury; thus they are very safe for use in various applications. And switching to the LEDs cuts the mercury pollution emanating from the coal power plants. Some people may argue that CFLs are also an energy-efficient option, but they do have some amount of mercury which can be an issue of concern for some people. Therefore, LEDs are the only safe guarantee for green lighting in your home. LED technology keeps advancing, and the costs keep coming down; this will see them quickly replace CFL and incandescent bulbs in most homes. The prices of LED lighting has dropped by nearly 85% since 2008, and the number of homes in the U.S. using LEDs has risen from 400,000 then to almost 20 million. So, the LED technology is a revolution. 3. Limit Your Dependency On The AC Heating and cooling are essential elements in any home, yet the ACs hog a considerable amount of the power. People have become overly dependent on the HVAC that they see no need of adjusting their environments. Is it common to be indoor in a setting that is so cold to point where you need to have more clothes on just to warm up yet the weather outside is warm or hot! Well, that should not come as a surprise, because it is a norm in some homes. They are spending thousands of dollar annually to freeze themselves indoors. The ideal thing is to have a smart thermostat that helps set and adjust the indoor temperatures accordingly to what your body find comfortable. If blowing air on yourself will require some energy, how much more is needed to turn the hot indoor air into a chilly state? Give it some thought. The human body has a natural response to environmental changes thus can to detect the surroundings and adjust accordingly. The same power consumption applies when heating the home, and can even shoot higher. Rather than rushing to run the AC, just wear more warm clothes and allow your body to adjust to the cool conditions as you walk around the house. Let the heater run for less a few minutes if you really must crank up the heating for a while. 4. Unplug! Do Not Use Electricity When It is Not In Use We usually forget to unplug most of our devices once were are done using them and can at times leave them there for hours or days. Phone chargers, the PlayStation, TV, DVD players, Radio, and the AC are some of common electric appliances and gadgets we forget to unplug from our sockets. You may think that they are on standby or powered down, but they still to use up some electricity even when they seem dormant. Gaming consoles and DVRs are perfect examples of electricity-needy devices when not in use. If you are not using them, remember to unplug them before you shift your attention to something else. Also, make it a habit to check your plugs and sockets before you leave the house. For the HVAC system, you can opt to leave it turned off if you are out for several days. Alternatively, you can invest in energy-saving plugs that can cut any siphoning of power by electric devices that are in standby mode. Cut these down and use energy comparison sites to slash your bill. 5. Ditch Those Overly Old Electric Appliances At times, we need to spend a little in the right places if we are to start saving. It is a philosophy to uphold when it comes to old home appliances such as the oven, fridge, and washing machine. The equipment is often based on outdated energy standards and thus will hog a lot of the energy in your home. Some do not even work as efficiently as they used to, so it would be better replacing them with something new. If you have more than multiple appliances of the same function and purpose, you can do with just one. For instance, having two fridges in your home makes little sense. Refrigerators tend to consume a lot of energy and having a big one only presents aesthetical gains with less of anything else. It is common to find such fridge with empty sections, and this only causes the appliance to work hard just to cool empty space. Do the wise thing; upgrade your appliance to some of the latest energy-efficient equipment available today. You will be spending so that you can make significant savings on a long-term scale. 6. Again, Do Upgrades Think of it this way, you are doing away with something that is always acting up and needing repairs every other time, something that has worn out and lost is beauty, and something that is just there with no use. So the upgrades are an opportunity to let go of the many things that you are hogging in your home that only clutter the place and to get new products that are better and are energy-efficient thus lowering your monthly or annual power costs. Just seat and do the math to figure out with products to get. Think along the lines of appliances that can do two or more things at the same time because such machines are usually designed to be energy-efficient. For instance, you can upgrade that old AC to something new that some with a smart thermostat that can learn your preference and help manage the heating and cooling of your home more efficiently and lower the energy consumption. 7. Move, Relocate Moving may seem like a far-fetched solution to your energy costs, but it is a valid option worth considering. For instance, you can opt to move into a smaller space or one that offers you adequate energy-efficient options. Why stay in a rundown place that is always bogged down by electricity problems such as faulty wiring or crumbling power connections? Relocating can be a chance to make significant life changes that also aid in lowering your energy costs. Post may contain affiliate links. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. 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Wealth and Money Tips For Saving Money When Renting A Car 7:24 PM If you are somebody who consistently makes use of car rentals, there are some things you can do that might help to save a few bucks. Of course, if you only use this service once a lifetime, the following tips probably won't make a substantial difference. But for those who use the service on a regular basis, keep the following saving money tips when renting a car in mind. Tips For Saving Money When Renting A Car 1. Coupons And Discount Codes Are Your Friends You are at liberty to use coupons and discount codes in order to get a rental car at lower rates. And you can easily get your hands on some of these discounts by simply making an online visit to those major rental companies. But these savings aren't excluded to the sites of the rental companies. You might also find some codes and coupons at: AAA AARP Costco BJ's USAA Two sites you definitely want to keep an eye on are Thrifty and Dollar. This is where you should be able to score a fixed rate discount, which lets you hire a premium car at a very affordable rate in special cases. In addition, you can double up on your savings at certain companies, because they let you use the discount code and the voucher. These companies include: Hertz Avis Alamo National Budget 2. Do Your Bookings Early Something you might not be aware of is that car rental rates can rise and fall in a matter of hours. Depending on the company and the location they are competing in, their pricing strategy needs to shift on a regular basis in order to stay competitive. So, the tip here is to get your booking as early as possible. And from there, you keep an eye on how the rates change up until you actually need the car. Because if it happens that you find a company that offers lower rates, you can cancel your booking and make a new one without getting penalized. Plus, you typically don't pay a deposit for a booking, and you'll be surprised at how much you can save just by booking early and paying meticulous attention to the rates. 3. Approaching Insurance When you rent a car, you will no doubt receive the "insurance" sales pitch, which protects you from liability if you get into an accident. Now, if you have a credit card or personal auto insurance, you probably think you don't need the insurance offered by the company. But the reality is that different insurance providers have different rules, and you need to check your insurance before you say no to the rental company's offer. Besides, it won't nearly be as complicated if you are insured with the rental company and something unforeseen happens. You should follow the same advice for getting insurance for your rental car as you did to get your rental car - you can see more at Moneyexpert.com's comparison panel. 4. Save Money By Filling The Tank You are given the option to pay for a rental car with a full tank of gas, and you can leave the responsibility of filling it up upon return to the company. However, you are paying more for gas than you should. Even though it is more convenient to let the company handle the responsibility of filling up the tank, it costs you more. In fact, when you take into account all the extra fees you can end up paying more than $10 a gallon. Also, if you pre-pay for a full tank, are you definitely sure you are going to use all that gas before returning the car? It's a matter of being willing to pay a pretty penny for convenience alone. 5. Consider All Your Locations It is a generally agreed that car rental companies at the airport typically offer lower rates. And it tends to make sense when looking at the lower taxes they pay. But that doesn't mean the other rental companies aren't competing. With all the competition going around, it will be silly not to look at all your options and locations first. In some cases, you might find them a little cheaper. 6. Keep An Eye On Additional Charges When you rent a car, you are given additional options. These options include things like an extra car seat for a baby or a navigation system. Either way, these additional charges can really start to add up when they shouldn't even be necessary. For example, why don't you get yourself a GPS system and take it with you? And you can use it every time without having to pay the car rental company extra. Sure, it's cool to have all the extras to make the trip more comfortable, but if these are extras you can bring along at a lower cost to you, why not? 7. Study The Final Bill Carefully Assuming you walk away from this article and you use the above-mentioned tips, and you get a very nice deal on a premium rental, is there anything else you need to look out for? Yes, the final bill. People make mistakes, even the most professional people, and it's a wise choice to study your final bill before making any payments. You want to check if the rates they quoted you for are accurate, and you want to know if they are charging you extra. Don't wait for months to go by before realizing you've been overcharged. Do it immediately, because if a problem arose with the bill it can be sorted out quickly and effectively. In fact, double-check your bill before stepping out and saying goodbye. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
