Category Archives: Holiday and Seasonal Finances

4 Budget Friendly Summer Date Night Ideas

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Summertime is upon us and that means the kids are out of school. We find ourselves spending a lot of time (and often, money) making sure they are happy and entertained during the summer months. It’s important that we don’t forget about ourselves in the process. Even if you’re not a parent, finding time for your relationship with your significant other is essential to a healthy partnership. Below are four ideas for fun summer date nights that won’t put a hole in your wallet.

Catch a baseball game.

Even if you’re not in a big city that boasts a professional baseball team, check out MiLB.com to discover a minor league team near you – like the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Tickets to minor league games are less expensive and the snacks and drinks are typically more budget friendly as well.

Check out the night sky.

How often do you and your partner take time to gaze at the night stars? Summer is the perfect time to grab a blanket and get outdoors. You don’t need a pricey telescope to find those constellations in the sky. Check out this free Star Tracker app and explore the universe from your own backyard.

Enjoy some ice cream.

There is nothing like a cold treat when it’s hot outside. Instead of a date night at an expensive restaurant, opt for a dessert date instead. That way you’re still out together enjoying something delicious, but for a $10 price tag instead of $100.

Have a game night indoors.

Get inside and away from the heat and be a kid again. Have a game night with all your favorite board games. The games and snacks won’t cost much and the winner’s bragging rights are priceless.

Article Source: Wendy Bignon for CUInsight.com

4 Ways to Save Money on Transportation Costs this Summer

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It takes money to go somewhere. Whether you drive or have someone drive you, you’re going to have to budget a portion of your income to help you get around. If you’d like to spend a few less dollars in that area, here are some tips that can help you save money while getting from Point A to Point B.

Drive better.

It takes gas to make a vehicle run, but it takes less gas when you’re driving more responsibly. We all get in a hurry from time to time, but you can improve your gas mileage if you try to speed less. Some cars have an “ECO” light that turns on when you’re cruising at an economically favorable speed. If you don’t have a similar feature, try and stay at a constant speed and not brake/accelerate so much.

Find the cheapest gas.

When you have a need, there’s usually an app for it. GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest gas around and it’s powered by users, so you get to help let others in on the discounts as well. Just try to never let your tank get too low or you won’t be getting many options on where to fill up.

Get a bike.

If you have a short commute, you can solve two problems at once. If the weather is nice and your commute is short, why not leave the keys at home and take your bike to work?

Start a carpool.

Have some coworkers who live nearby? If so, there’s no excuse for not starting a carpool. By taking turns driving each week, you’ll save a lot of gas money over the course of the year. If you like driving too much to be a rider, why not pick up that coworker everyday? They can pay you a flat fee for the ride, you’ll make a few bucks, and they’ll save the wear and tear on their vehicle. Everybody wins.

Article Source: John Pettit for CUInsight.com

 

7 Money Saving Party Hacks

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Group Of Mature Friends Enjoying Buffet At Dinner Party

Hosting a party is a fun way to express hospitality to friends and family, but the expense can also be a strain on the budget. The concern with trying to throw a party on the cheap is that it will end up looking or feeling just as cheap. So how do you pull off an amazing, classy party that’s much less expensive than it looks? are seven simple ideas for you to try next time you want to host a gathering.

1. Make your own decorations with inexpensive materials rather than purchasing them pre-made.

Decorations are one of the easiest things to get away with doing cheap without sacrificing appearance, especially if you borrow ideas from frugal decorating blogs or Pinterest. Here are a few fun ones, just at a glance:

  • Construction paper stars
  • A “chandelier” made from a spray-painted umbrella frame and a string of lights
  • Window displays made by hanging single bulbs from tension rods
  • Ribbon — cheap, plenty of variety, and it looks good everywhere

2. Go to the dollar store for disposable paper goods, but serve from real flatware.

Not everything at the dollar store is a deal, but it’s a good place to find cheap disposable paper goods and supplies, holiday decorations, and bulk party favors that make it more affordable to customize for one occasion. To avoid even this expense, make your party a little classier by serving on real dishes. That’s right – pull out that fine tableware you never use and put it to work. The savings and elegant appearance of your party will be worth the extra load of dishes later.

3. Plan your menu based on sales, make your own appetizers and dips, and opt for cheaper desserts, drinks, and cheese.

Base your menu around what’s on sale, and get creative just like every other occasion. Appetizers like dips and breads are cheaper if you make them yourself, and a DIY dish has the added effect of appearing gourmet. For dessert, a punchbowl trifle is easy to make, visually appealing, and serves a large crowd. Instead of buying expensive, aged cheeses, use cheaper varieties like ricotta and feta and add herbs, honey, or spices for extra flavor. Finally, a common recommendation for saving money on drinks is to feature just one signature cocktail.

4. Presentation is everything.

You also don’t have to serve rich foods to impress your guests. Even the cheapest appetizers and dishes can look impressive if you take the extra step to plate them appealingly in glass dishes or trays and spruce them up with garnish and added touches.

5. Go with a theme: appetizers-only, dessert-only, cheese and wine, or a cookie swap.

Choosing to elaborate on a limited category adds uniqueness to your party while cutting out the expense of a multiple course meal. Sticking with small-plate finger foods that can be carried also encourages people to walk around, mingle, and creates a livelier party.

6. Ask your guests to contribute food, but with class.

Potlucks are a cheaper way to handle gatherings with family, but you might feel awkward asking guests to bring food to your party. Instead, ask people to bring a specialty item to share, such as a batch of their favorite cookies, or make it a “bring and share your favorite wine” event. This also makes the food or drinks a focal point for conversation and a natural ice-breaker for interaction.

7. Less is more.

Finally, less is always more when it comes to throwing a classy party. Too much stuff and fuss can come across as cheap no matter how much money you spend. The fewer, tasteful decorations and key foods (in plentiful quantities), the more memorable your event will seem.

Article Source: Jessica Sommerfield for MoneyNing.com

3 Tips for Saving Money During Cold and Flu Season

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A young woman lying on her couchEven if we wash our hands and try our hardest to stay healthy, the reality is that winter and cold and flu season are upon us and often can’t be avoided. Even if you’re not feeling well you don’t have to let your wallet feel the pain too. Here are three tips to help save a few bucks when you’re dealing with a cold.

Buy generics

You may lean toward buying the name brand, and more expensive, over-the-counter cold and flu medicines thinking they will work better. Before you do, compare the ingredients with that of the store brand products. More often than not, you will find that they are identical and the generic brand can save you a great deal.

Try home remedies

When your symptoms first show up and before you rush to the pharmacy, be patient and try the remedies you learned from mom. Sometimes a sore throat can be caused by the change in seasons so first try vitamins, hot tea with honey, or gargling with salt water. You may be able to nip it in the bud before it gets worse and you end up at the doctor.

Clip coupons

Remember the last time you checked out at the pharmacy and received a long sheet of coupons along with your receipt? It may seem annoying at the time, but hold on to them for the future. Saving even the smallest amount when you’re not feeling well can make your illness seem just a little bit better.

Article Source: Wendy Bignon for CUInsight.com

4 Tips for Bouncing Back from Holiday Shopping

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metal spring for a car on a white background

You say you won’t go overboard every year – but once again holiday shopping may have gotten the best of you already. In spite of your best intentions, you overspent, you’re probably full of regret, and you’re getting a headache just thinking about your January credit card statement. Now what?

1. With a sober mind, go through what you bought and return/exchange if it’s not too late.

It’s easy to get so caught up in the moment — the rush of shopping, the allure of good deals and sneaky sales tactics — and you probably made a few impulsive decisions, even if you didn’t overspend.

Shoving the items you felt guilty or embarrassed about to the back of the closet might make you feel better, but the act might also cost you the 30-day return/exchange window — in other words, an opportunity to reverse your losses. If you didn’t give some items as gifts, return them stat.

2. Offset over-budget spending by cutting elsewhere.

If you’re in the red after the holidays, it’s time to offset your spending by cutting a different area of your future budget to accommodate it. Start by totaling what you spent and comparing the total to discretionary spending you’ve budgeted for January 2017. Is there something that matches the exact dollar amount? What about two or three ‘luxuries’ that match one half or one third of what your spent? Cut them. You may only need to cut a service or two for a month before you’re back on track, so it’s really not much of a sacrifice. Consider cutting the following:

  • Extra cable channels
  • Netflix and other streaming media accounts
  • Scheduled hair treatments, massages, or manicures
  • Magazine, book club and other subscriptions

Beware: cutting one of these temporarily might show you how little you’ve missed it… and how much nicer it is to have the cash!

3. Pay it back — fast.

If you charged up your credit card(s), the debt you accumulated and the interest attached to it may have even longer side effects than a light bank account. Resolve to pay your shopping debt off entirely within one to three months. If that’s not feasible, try to pay at least three times the minimum amount. Ultimately, aim to keep your balance below 40% of your credit limit so you won’t hurt your credit report.

4. Redeem those freebies.

Many retailers offer cash back in the form of gift cards on special buys through the holiday season or early into the new year, but reports show that many are never used. Don’t let your freebies go to waste – use them to retroactively pay for over-budget spending. If the gift cards aren’t for stores you shop at, go online and sell or exchange them for something you’ll be able to use. Just don’t let them go to waste.

Article Source: Jessica Sommerfield for Moneyning.com

3 Last Minute Holiday Shopping Tips

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colorful shopping bags set in woman's hand isolated on white

The holidays are right around the corner, as in the end of this week! Have you finished all your shopping? Here are three last minute tips to keep in mind as you venture out to fight the holiday shopping crowds this last week of shopping.

10-second rule

When deciding on whether you should purchase something, use the 10-second rule. Hold the item in your hands for a solid 10 seconds and think hard about whether you actually need it or whether it is the right choice for your loved one. Sometimes we are in such a rush to get things done we don’t actually stop and put thought into our purchases. So before you check that gift off your list, give it the 10 seconds to make sure it’s worth your money.

Cash only

It has been proven that we tend to spend more when we shop with our credit or debit cards. It is so easy to swipe that card at multiple stores without really tallying up how much you are spending. Often times it’s not until you check your account that you realize the damage you’ve done to your wallet. Use the cash only rule to avoid this spending problem. Decide exactly how much you want to spend before you leave the house. Take only that amount with you to the store and you will save yourself from those unplanned (and often expensive) holiday purchases.

Go it alone

Having friends and family members in your life that support and encourage you is something to be thankful for. But when it comes to shopping – sometimes having your loved ones with you can be a huge mistake. They may have the best intentions when helping you check things off your list, but they may in fact be persuading you to buy things you don’t really need to. So go it alone and stick to your shopping game plan.

Happy Holidays!

Article Source: Wendy Bignon for CUInsight.com