Ways to Act Now in Order to Save Later

February 20, 2020 Leave a Comment

If you act now, you can save money later, and who doesn’t love the idea of saving money? It’s something we don’t really think about because we tend to take a short term approach to money and finances, but that’s often the wrong way to go about things. Instead, you should think about how best to save money over the next 5, 10 or 25 years.

 

There are many ways to do it. Some involve spending a little money now in order to save later, and other ideas allow you to start spending less both now and in the future ahead of you. Find out more about these ideas below.

 

Stop Drinking Bottled Water

 

If you’re someone who is still drinking bottled water each day, you should think again about that decision. Does it really make sense for you to be drinking bottled water when you could be drinking tap water instead? Not only is this better for your bank balance but it’s better for the environment as well. If you hate the taste of your tap water, simply buy a filter and it’ll taste the same as the bottled water you spend so much money on.

 

Spend Money to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

 

Your home is the thing you probably spend the most money on. From bills to the mortgage and general maintenance and upkeep, there’s a lot to spend your money on when you’re trying to run a home. By making it more energy efficient, you’ll reduce your bills and make it more eco-friendly. You can spend money on things like insulation and other energy efficiency measures in order to make this happen.

 

When Buying New Items, Choose Quality

 

Whenever you’re investing in new items for yourself or for your home, you should think about what they’re really offering. Are they offering quality or a fast and cheap solution to a short term problem you have? If it’s the latter, you might want to step back and think again about that purchase. You should instead look for quality even if it means spending more now. You’ll save big in the long term.

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Realize the Importance of Servicing

 

When it comes to running a car or owning appliances in your home that are costly, you should always make sure you’re getting them properly serviced. Doing so will allow you to save money later by avoiding breakdowns and other similar issues that can be very expensive to deal with. A good trusted auto repair will offer affordable servicing and it’ll help you avoid having to pay for big repairs later.

 

Lighten Your Car’s Load

 

Another good way to ensure running a car doesn’t cost you more money than it needs to us to simply lighten your car’s load. You can do this by removing things that you’ve been unnecessarily storing in your car for a long time. When a car is lighter, it’s also more fuel efficient and less of a financial drain for you. It’s one of those small things that can actually make a big difference in the long term.

 

Look for Hidden Charges in Your Recurring Bills

 

If you have bills that you pay every month or every few months, you should look for hidden charges that could be stopping you from getting a fair deal. Any charges that are hidden and that you don’t know about can be a real drain. Look to assess your regular outgoings so you can streamline them and remove any expenses you don’t really need or want to be paying. So many of us pay more than we think we’re paying.

 

Put Savings Goals in Place

 

Putting all of your saving goals together and really focusing on them can really help your general finances going forward. Put these goals in place and think about what you can do each day to ensure you reach them. That way, you’ll always have something to work towards each day. That level of focus can help you; we all need goals to be striving towards in life because it can be highly motivating. The sooner you start doing things like this, the sooner you’ll yield the benefits.

 

By taking the right steps now, you’ll put yourself in a better financial position heading into the future. Thinking ahead is something that most of us don’t do very often, but maybe we should. You’ll be in a stronger position and much more financially secure if you start acting now with the future in mind.

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Money Matters: How To Make 2020 The Year Of Reduced Waste

December 17, 2019 Leave a Comment

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The start of a new decade is the perfect opportunity to reevaluate your lifestyle and adopt the changes needed to become a better person. Right now, the need to reduce our physical waste in a bid to save the planet is more prominent than ever. But what about saving your finances?

 

Living costs rise at a far faster rate than salaries. This is why your New Year’s Resolution should revolve on the concept of making your money work harder. Here are 15 ways to turn your 2020 vision into a reality.

 

#1. Quit Bad Habits

 

Let’s face it; quitting bad habits will always appear on the NYR lists. While you’ve previously given up within a few weeks, focusing on the financial elements could transform things for the better. Quitting cigarettes will save the average 20-a-day $50 per week. You could save half of the money while using the other half as a weekly reward for staying on track. It’s great news for the body, mind, and bank balance. This new approach will ensure that 2020 is the year you succeed.

 

#2. Analyze All Purchases

 

There’s nothing wrong with impulse buys that will actively enhance your life. However, wasting money on products that you will not use is a huge problem. It’s easy to be won over by fancy marketing gimmicks, but buying the latest tech gadget for the sake of joining the herd is often a bad move. Where possible, sleep on the decision. If you aren’t that fussed about having not bought the item when you wake up, it probably isn’t needed. You should see a decline in regrettable choices.

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#3. Lose The Need For Ownership

 

In addition to avoiding unnecessary purchases, 2020 can be the year where you embrace a healthier mindset. While society may suggest that you need to own everything, you don’t. There are many situations in which leasing a car may be better than buying one. Meanwhile, renting an outfit for an vent is often a smarter decision than wearing it once and letting it sit in the wardrobe collecting dust. The money saved by hiring goods can allow you to spend more money elsewhere.

 

#4. Trim The Fat On Bills

 

Overspending on monthly services is another very common problem. Here is a guide to cutting cellphone costs that can save hundreds of dollars each year. Similarly, energy bills, home insurance, and broadband packages can be trimmed down. Tailoring the package to your needs rather than what the company tries to sell you can make a big difference to monthly outgoings. Better still, you won’t see any difference to your daily life as the features you cut out aren’t being used anyway.

 

#5. Shop Around

 

We can all appreciate the benefits of browsing the market for a better deal. The introduction of price comparison sites made a huge impact on major purchases. However, you can now add tools to your browser that automatically search for vouchers and discounts on all purchases. Even if you save a few dollars during each online shopping session, the savings soon add up. They can be used to buy clothes, groceries, and gifts for loved ones during the festive season. The possibilities are endless.

 

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#6. Consider ‘Non-New’ Items

 

It seems madness to spend twice the price on an item that you could get cheaper simply because it has been used. There are plenty of items that you’ll want to buy brand new. Still, charity shops can be a great place to pick up furniture, clothing accessories, books, and more. Perhaps more tellingly, you can save thousands on kitchen remodels and big tasks by buying the ex-display models or end of the line stock. Not having the latest season’s trend isn’t a big issue unless you make it one.

 

#7. Change Work Habits

 

Your career is the primary source of revenue in your life. However, it can be a source of huge expense too. There are many ways to cut the costs. Working from home, even or one day per week can have a truly positive influence. Meanwhile, trading the morning trip to Starbuck for a homemade coffee could save over $1,000 per year. Those simple changes can actively aid your physical and mental health, as well as your career. Still, it’s the financial savings that stand out.

 

#8. Stop Trashing Perfectly Good Products

 

Most people are guilty of hoarding furniture, electronics, and collectibles. In most cases, they’ll eventually be thrown out during a clean spring. However, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Thanks to local online selling platforms, the opportunity to generate money from old goods has never been easier. This additionally serves as the perfect way to declutter your life at the start of a new decade. The fact it actually reduces waste pollution by recycling old items is merely a bonus.

 

#9. Ensure That Assets Sell At Their Full Potential

 

When selling the small household goods, any cash injection is a step in the right direction. However, valuable assets need to sell at the right price. Preparing the home for a quick and agreeable sale is vital for anyone hoping to relocate in 2020 or beyond. Meanwhile, expensive antiques should be independently valued. After all, you do not want to become one of those people that sells a vase for $50 at a garage sale only to see it sell for $1,000 in three months time.

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#10. Hire An Accountant

 

The idea of paying an expert to handle your taxes and other financial obligations may seem counterproductive. On the contrary, though, a personal tax accountant can save you money in the long run. Whether it’s handling small business accounts or individual taxes, their advanced knowledge will serve you well. Besides, time is money, and you can use the extra time to earn more money. When added to the emotional reassurance of making the right moves, success is assured.

 

#11. Seek Entitlements

 

You work hard, and put money into the system. As such, you should feel no guilt about seeking the financial support that you are entitled to. Whether you’re a parent, a worker in the public sector, or have a disability doesn’t matter. Even an extra few hundred dollars per year, through credits or discounts, can seriously enhance your life. Life can get tough from time to time, but helping hands are often available. Take the support that is actually designed for you, and big results will show.

 

#12. Improve The Home’s Energy Efficiency

 

If you can reduce financial waste while also reducing waste pollution, that’s perfect. This guide to creating a greener home will allow you to master both. The investments into better lighting and water efficiency will reduce monthly bills. Meanwhile, solar panels and other eco-friendly upgrades often show a positive ROI. The financial value of your property and monthly cash flow will each see positive outcomes. Best of all, the rewards will continue throughout 2020 and beyond.

 

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#13. Share Facilities

 

The idea of combining financial savings with reduced energy waste needn’t be limited to the home. Carpools are a particularly smart move to save money and resources. Meanwhile, if you have a good relationship with the neighbors, it may be possible to share items like the lawnmower. It seems a little pointless to buy and store products separately if you can half the costs and efforts. Of course, it’s not an option that’s open to all homeowners or workers. Still, it’s worth investigating.

 

#14. Move Bank Accounts

 

If you are currently losing money to interest rates on credit cards, switching to new banks can work wonders. They are fighting for your custom and will often offer 0% on transfers as well as a few months of zero interest. This gives you a chance to reduce the debt without suffering from high interest rates. In turn, this can support your bid to create a better financial situation. After all, your overall debts will shrink during that period of breathing space.

 

#15. Repair Things

 

How often do you trash a top because the zip broke, or replace furniture because it suffered minor damage? Get into the habit of repairing and upcycling items, and you’ll save vast sums of money over the course of a year. You can turn crates into garden furniture, save old garments, and breathe new life into unloved items. It’s a great way to save time and money while also providing a sense of satisfaction. When dealing with clothes, it’s an ideal way to gain a fresh and unique appearance too.

 

The Final Word

 

We can all benefit from reducing our financial waste, and 2020 is the year to make it happen. While it’s true that the first few weeks may seem difficult, your efforts will soon be rewarded. Once you see how much of an impact your efforts can bring, the incentive to stay on track will be huge.

 

Last but not least, you must remember that a setback along the way needn’t stop you from achieving the end goals. This is a lifelong transformation rather than a quick fix. Do not forget it.

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5 Positive Changes You Can Make to Your Home This Summer

June 6, 2017 Leave a Comment

Now that summer is here, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how you can make positive changes to your home. There is no need to accept your home as it is if you don’t think that it’s currently up to scratch. And sometimes the summer months simply call for a new approach and a fresh look. Here are 5 positive changes you can make right away.

 

  1. Change the Art in Your Home

 

If you have any art hanging on the walls in your home, now might be a good time to switch them around. This is something that many people do. They have art that corresponds to the time of the year. If you look at your art and see it as being wintery or for a colder time of year, take those works of art down. They can be replaced with lighter and airier feeling works of art. It’s a simple change that will make a big difference.

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  1. Paint the Ceilings White

 

The ceilings are of your home are probably one of its most neglected aspects. This is the case in many homes all over the country. If you want to make your home to feel brighter, lighter and even more spacious, you should think about painting them white. It has a huge difference and changes how we perceive the space. And it’s perfect for summer because all that summer light will make the space feel even larger still.

 

  1. Install Solar Panels

 

Solar panels are perfect for your home because they not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also reduce your monthly expenditure. You can save a lot of money by embracing renewables and ditching the companies that charge you too much for unclean energy and power. It’s possible to take advantage of free solar energy analysis, so go for it. The help you need in order to save money and go green is out there waiting for you.

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  1. Ditch Heavy Curtains for Light Blinds

 

Big, heavy curtains draped across your windows is not what you want during the summer months. They’re too cumbersome, and they can block natural light at the edge of the window even when they’re not drawn. So, take them down and replace them with small, light blinds. They can easily be pulled up to maximise the light coming into a room. And on top of that, you will have much more control over how much light you let in, which can’t be done with curtains.

 

  1. Invest in Indoor Plants

 

Indoor plants can be great additions to your home during summer. It allows you to bring the outdoors indoors. And that means your home will feel more alive, more pleasant and, of course, much greener. Those things are all positive. And it’s known that indoor plants can even improve your mood and make the air inside your home a little cleaner too, so why not go for it? It could be just what your home needs right now.

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Are You Living In A Green Home?

June 6, 2017 Leave a Comment

  

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A lot of us don’t think twice about how eco-friendly our humble abode is. After all, when we are busy bringing up our family, the environment is the last thing on our mind. But for the sake of future generations, we do need to think twice about our home. After all, we want our kids to live in a healthy world. Therefore, here are some things you can do to your humble abode to ensure you are living in a green home.

 

Time to change those lightbulbs

 

You might have been living with the same light bulbs for years. After all, we get into the habit of buying the same ones every time. But they might not be the best energy-efficient option for your home. And you might be using a ton of energy which will not only raise your bills but will also waste the world’s energy. Therefore, to ensure you are living in a green home, it’s time to change those lightbulbs to an eco-friendly option. You need to go around the property and fit eco-friendly LEDs. They might cost more to buy than traditional lights, but they can last a lot longer. And most importantly, they will save you wasting so much energy. Not only will this help the environment, but it will also help your bank balance too!

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Look into switching to solar energy

 

A lot of people use electric or gas for their heating in the home. After all, it’s the most common ways to ensure your house is a heated paradise. But a lot of people end up wasting a ton of energy if they are using one of these options. After all, they tend to have the boiler on from day to night to keep the property warm. Therefore, to ensure you have a green home, you should consider switching to solar energy. It’s a lot more eco-friendly as it uses the sun to heat your home. In fact, you can look at this solar energy infographic to find out exactly how it works. And while it can be expensive to install, it’s hugely beneficial to the environment if you do install these on your property. After all, it will save a ton of energy every month. Moreover, it will save you a lot of money too if you go for these panels. After all, if you haven’t used all your energy, it can be sold back to the grid to earn you extra money. And ultimately when you come to sell, the house will be looked on more favorably!

  Pixabay

 

Ensure you are recycling properly

 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of just sending everything to the trash can. But if you want to live in a green home, you do need to make an effort to recycle daily. After all, it will ensure you don’t contribute to the high amount of waste in the world if you do recycle. And it can mean that resources don’t get wasted. In fact, a lot of the items will be repurposed if you do recycle. Therefore, get a good two section bin which will make it easier to recycle at home. And then you can ensure the future is bright for the next generation.

 

And here are some other things you can do to make the world a better place!

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