Yep, you read that right. All of my bills were paid, and my mortgage was paid off, so I thought about how I could treat myself with the pay increase I had just received. Typically, the only place I spend money is at the hair salon, so I decided to upgrade my towels. Now, these aren't your regular towels. They are soft and plush luxury towels from Frontgate, and I love them! I Saved and Invested Some Too Now, I'm not going to lie. I did save and invest a considerable part of my increase. I increased my retirement contribution percentage to the maximum allowed and called my financial advisor to see how I could invest a little more of my income. That may sound a little scary in today's market, but I think it's the perfect time to invest. I'm just going to sit back and wait for the market to rebound. A portion of the money I saved also went towards future unexpected expenses and the oh-so-fun travel trip with my husband. We love to travel and have visited Antigua, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, and Jamaica. Living in Florida and Georgia, we've visited all the hotspots like Savannah, Atlanta, Orlando, Tallahassee, and more. Next up is Los Cabos, Mexico, this summer and Curaçao in December. Through sheer diligence with our savings and paying off our bills and loans far in advance, we can pay cash for our vacations and any other significant purchases we may have. See my feature in: Gen Z: Here's How You Can Save For Travel On a Tight Budget My Husband Encourage Me to Buy A New Purse I wanted to buy a summer purse for our upcoming summer trip to Mexico. I was debating between two different purses on the Michael Kors website. So, I asked my husband for his advice. He said since you only bought towels when you got promoted, why don't you buy both purses. This was in celebration of my 10-year anniversary at work as well. In the end, I only bought one purse because that was what I initially sought to do. Living Within My Needs and Treating Myself Every Now & Then I tend to live within my needs. I know the normal term is living with your means. However, living within my needs helps me continue saving and investing for my retirement future. It's a few years away, so living life based on the current needs that I have allows me to double down on my retirement savings for my future. My goal is to continue to tick off travel places on my bucket list and bring my husband along with me. Happy travels!

What is one cheap family summer activity that won't cost a lot of money? To help you sample out some fun and cheap family activities for the summer, we asked parents and outdoor enthusiasts this question for their best ideas. From creating your own activities to nature walks and hikes, there are several fun activities you and your family can do this summer without breaking the bank. Here are 10 cheap and fun family activities for the summer: Create Your Own Activities Homemade Playdough Backyard Scavenger Hunt Arcades and Gaming Centers Camping Fun at The Beach Museums and Parks Or Home Movie Nights Ice Cream Bike Tour Neighborhood Tennis Courts Nature Walks Or Hikes Create Your Own Activities Consider the following low-cost or no-cost events and activities for your own children or a group of friends who want to have fun and make memories without breaking the bank. Make two boxes with index cards with activities printed on them, one for "outside" and one for "inside." Change up who in the family gets to choose the card for the day. This is a terrific strategy to avoid expensive activities while creating a fun family schedule. Draw your ideal home interior view with all the features on a large sheet of paper using colored pencils. Take advantage of many local libraries' free summer reading programs and storytimes. - Timothy Woods, Carnivore Style Homemade Playdough The best and most inexpensive family summer activity would be making homemade playdough. Kids love playdough, and it's easier to make a large batch of it. You need 1 cup flour, ½ tsp salt, food coloring, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, and 1 cup water. So, if you have older kids and adults in the family, gather them for this action also. You may also hold a competition where everyone is given something to make. Now, you need to see who makes the beautiful flower, the fascinating creations, or any funniest animal. - Caroline Lee, CocoSign Backyard Scavenger Hunt My dad has a great activity that the grandkids love. During the summer, he'll collect 10-15 different items (toys, trinkets, etc.) and take a picture of them as a group. Then he scatters them throughout the backyard, makes copies of the picture/list of items, and sends the kids on a scavenger hunt. The kids find the items throughout the yard, cross them off the list, and there's a prize when everything has been located. It's free, grandpa gets a fun way to connect, and the grandkids love the game! - Logan Mallory, Motivosity Arcades and Gaming Centers Arcades and gaming centers are cheap options that can keep a family entertained and engaged all day. Arcades have been changing in recent years so that there are now affordable options for playing all day instead of the expensive quarter-eating machines we all grew up with. Gaming centers often provide a wide variety of games so that people of all ages, genders, and interests can find something fun to play. - Rob Bartlett, WTFast Camping One easy and cheap family activity is to go camping. Campsites cost under 30 dollars, you can see many new sights and sounds, and just go for walks and experience nature! You can easily find and go camping, pack tasty food, and have great family memories. - Catherine Way, Prime Plus Mortgages Fun at The Beach There's nothing quite like jumping in the car and heading to the nearest beach when the weather is nice. There's always plenty to do for families at the beach. Whether it's relaxing with a book, working on your tan, or paddling in the sea, it's an awesome day out that doesn't break the bank. - Neil Thacker, Casual Car Guide Museums and Parks Or Home Movie Nights You don't always need to spend a lot of money to have fun with your family. There are plenty of activities that are cheap or even free. For example, museums have dates where the tickets have a discount, especially during the summer, or they have special discounts for kids. Many parks, expositions, and theaters also have this kind of discount-based schedule. If you want to do something more relaxing, I always find that creating a home movie night is always enjoyable. You can use a streaming service to watch your favorite movie, put some blankets and pillows on the floor and prepare some snacks. Even make fake movie tickets so that the little ones can have the full movie theater experience. All you need is to get creative. - John Cheng, Baotris Ice Cream Bike Tour Summer activities with the family should end with a well-deserved reward. Is there anything better than delicious ice cream after a physical effort on a hot summer day? Taking a bike tour that promises a delicious end is not just a fun way to spend time together. According to Charles Duhigg's cycle of "cue, habit, reward, " it is also a great way to build healthy family habits. - Michal Jonca, PhotoAiD Neighborhood Tennis Courts Neighborhood tennis courts give you the opportunity to play with your kids and potentially teach them a new game they might love. Many parks have tennis courts that are free and available to the public, and they're absolutely family-friendly. Even if you aren't particularly good at tennis–or aren't a very good tennis coach–it's okay because even disorganized tennis matches can be playful and fun. - Alex Wang, Ember Fund Nature Walks Or Hikes One cheap family summer activity that won't cost a lot of money is to go for a nature walk or hike. You can explore the local area and get some exercise at the same time. You may also want to bring a picnic lunch so that you can enjoy your surroundings even more. - Petri Maatta, DreamMaker

Have you been looking for easy ways to save money or spend less? These helpful tips can help you keep your budget on track and provide you with additional ways to save, budget, and invest your money for the long term. I'm sure this extensive list can provide you with at least one or two ways to achieve your future goals. Let's take a look! As an advertiser, this post may contain affiliate links. Creative And Easy Ways To Save Money Save on Clothing Save on Food Saving for Goals Save on Fixed Expenses AARP Discounts Phone Apps to Help you Save Save on Activities or Hobbies Save on Gifts Save on Vehicle Repairs Save on Taxes Save on Recurring Memberships Save on Clothing Join a local Facebook group or apps like LetGo or OfferUp to find deals on free or gently used items. You can save hundreds of dollars on furniture, video games, or clothing. Visit your local thrift store at the end of a season to find clothes for the next season. Some of these items are new with tags and can be used for your growing children next season or even for yourself. You can save on name-brand shoes by buying kids' sizes. If you have smaller feet, you can purchase a kid's Nike, Reebok, or other shoes, and you pay less than you would for the adult size of the identical shoe. Save on Food When you shop, use a grocery list, and don't go into the store hungry. Batch cook your food, so you don't have to cook as often. Batch cooking can decrease your eating out budget because all you have to do is pull a frozen meal out of the freezer when you're short on time. If your fruit and vegetables are going bad, chop them up and freeze them for later meals. For future meal planning, you can put them in a quiche, a stew, or a casserole. Buy your meat, fruit, and vegetables from local farmers. You will spend less money than you would if you were to purchase these items at a grocery store. It's of higher quality, and it lasts longer. You're also supporting your local community! Save all of your vegetable skins in a freezer bag to make a vegetable broth in the future. It will be so delicious. So, don't throw away your potato, carrot, onion skins, etc., any longer. Are you still running short on time? Try a food delivery service like Dinnerly. Advertiser Disclosure What are the benefits of Dinnerly? You get 49 unfussy weeknight meals for those hectic days. Pre-portioned ingredients The most affordable meal kit at $4.99 per serving Delivery to anywhere in the United States You get your time back! Dinnerly recipes take 30 minutes or less to prepare and cook. Savings Goals Create a savings account and relabel it for what your savings goals are. If you're saving for a car, home, or vacation, you can relabel it as Honda, Homeownership, or Trip to Jamaica. Save for retirement by increasing your contributions by at least 1% each year that you receive a pay increase. See my feature in 8 Simple Ways for People in Their 20s To Begin Saving Now. Save on Fixed Expenses Shop around annually for ways to save on car or homeowners' insurance. It's important not to sacrifice coverage. Most insurance companies will quote you on minimum coverage levels. So, ensure that you cover your property at the same coverage and deductible level when shopping around. Shop around semi-annually to find better rates on your phone or cable bill. Promotions are always available, so see what you qualify for. Switching companies for a better rate will also have your old cable company begging for your business back at a cheaper rate. When purchasing a home, shop around for multiple rates. Don't stick to the first lender that offers you a great rate. See what's out there because it could be a 15 or 30-year bill payment. Pay more than the minimum on your bills. Pay your regular bill and then pay an additional principal-only payment to reduce the interest you pay over the life of the loan. See my feature in Don't Be a Fool: Take These Simple Steps Today to Begin Saving. Join AARP for Discounts You don't have to be 50 to join AARP. You can join before the age of 50 and receive various discounts. You'll be eligible for the full membership after turning 50. Is your spouse 50, and you're younger? You can join under their plan to receive the benefits of the full membership. AARP has travel discounts that can save you on airfare, hotels, and car rentals. Visit the AARP Travel Center to see how you can save. See my feature in Gen Z: Here's How You Can Save on Travel on a Tight Budget. Download Extensions or Apps on Your Phone or Web Browser These apps will search the internet for coupon codes based on what's in your cart—no more spending hours searching for a coupon code that doesn't work. I use a few: Fetch Rewards, Honey, Rakuten, Ibotta, Shopkick, CamelCamelCamel, RetailMeNot, and Grocery iQ. Do you travel? American Airlines has a web extension called AAdvantage eShopping, and you can earn points on your purchases for seat upgrades to flight purchases. Earn cashback rewards by scanning your receipts and purchases with the Fetch app and joining the NCPMobile community. Every time you make a purchase, scan your items and earn points for gift cards. Save on Activities/Hobbies Check your local city's website to see what free or discounted activities are available. Visit your local library's website for free Libby audiobooks or movie downloads. Visit theme parks during non-peak seasons. You can pay less by visiting from October to February. Save on Gifts If you're buying gift cards, buy them when you can also receive gift cards for your purchases. Amazon and restaurants will provide you with a gift card for your purchases during popular shopping seasons. For example, spend $100 and get a $20 gift card. Use this for yourself or your family and friends. Don't buy prepacked gifts or fruit baskets. Build your own gift basket by searching on Etsy or Pinterest. You can buy multiples of each item in advance and build gift boxes for coworkers, family, or friends and save lots of money. Save on Vehicle Repairs Put a reminder on your calendar to regularly complete car maintenance. Your car may have come with a booklet on recommended maintenance scheduling. Don't neglect this because it could cost more to make repairs than preventative maintenance. Learn how to complete car repairs on your own. From oil changes to changing a fuse, if you have the proper tools, you can learn how to do car repairs by watching free YouTube videos or going to a local auto repair store to borrow tools for free. You can also visit localtools.org to find a tool lending library near you. Save on Taxes Advertiser Disclosure You can save on taxes now by automating your retirement savings into pre-tax retirement accounts. You reduce your current tax bracket, and you may find that you bring in slightly more income. Contribute to Flexible Spending or Dependent Care Accounts. If you have medical expenses or dependents in daycare, contributing pre-tax dollars to these accounts can save you money in the long run and further reduce your taxable income. Save on Recurring Memberships Do you have a recurring membership on your phone bill? If you're not using it or forgot to cancel it, take the time now to cancel the membership and reduce your bill. If you don't watch Netflix, Hulu, or any other app, cancel or downgrade the membership. If you sign up for a free trial, cancel it immediately. You still get the free trial, but you don't have to remember to cancel it later. What other ways have you found to save money and build your wealth?

Being a tipped employee can mean that your income is not consistent weekly or month-to-month. The varying income can make planning for your basic expenses, saving, and even retirement challenging. To help you save for retirement as a tipped employee, I asked thought leaders how tipped employees can save for retirement when they aren't offered benefits. From exploring tax-advantaged plans to tapping the features of cash-value life insurance, there are practical options that may help you save long-term for retirement. Saving for Retirement as a Tipped Employee Set Up 401(k) and Invest in ESPPs and ESOPs Limit Spending and Save Explore Tax-Advantaged Plans and Related Options Tap The Features of Cash Value Life Insurance Explore Tax-Advantaged Plans and Related Options No access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a 401(k)? You can still contribute to a tax-advantaged retirement plan if your income is documented on a 1099 or W-2. The earned income could allow you to make a tax-deductible contribution to an individual retirement account (IRA). More options exist for those with income reported on a 1099 form since they are self-employed. Small business retirement plans, simple IRAs, SEP-IRAs, and solo 401(k)s allow for more contributions. For those who work strictly under the table, remember that you must report income and pay any taxes due. You can contribute to a Spousal IRA if your spouse has enough earned income, even if you don't have reportable income. Either way, you can always save in a brokerage account and invest long-term for retirement. - Jonathan Vander Werff, CFP®, My Financial Coach Set Up 401(k) and Invest in ESPPs and ESOPs There are a number of ways that you can achieve this, and many of them are quite simple. For example, you can set up a 401(k) plan at your employer or invest in individual retirement accounts (IRAs). You can also set up a pension plan if you are lucky enough to have one. All these options offer tax advantages, and you can also make contributions on a pre-tax basis. Additionally, you can use special employer contributions programs that allow you to make contributions even if you do not qualify for a traditional 401(k). Finally, remember that you can also use Employer Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). - Paw Vej, Financer.com Ltd Limit Spending and Save The vast majority in the USA, with handsome salaries, retire without any savings, let alone be able to survive and pay for medical and utility bills. The past 20 years were quite challenging, starting with 9/11, then the recession. Adding fuel to the fire was Covid-19, which caused many affluent people to hit rock bottom, with many well-established businesses closed worldwide. It seems impossible for tipped employees to save substantially for retirement in these terrible conditions, living below the poverty line. However, the 21st century holds its distinct advantages. The key to success and saving for retirement is sacrificing the Now for a safe and better future. I am not suggesting working extra hours but living a simple life and minimizing unnecessary expenditures. The tips should be considered a blessing and put in a savings bank account. This will have a snowball effect, and it will multiply with time. Following this will save a meaningful amount for a safe and prosperous future. - Brad Eckhardt, Elite Dental Center Tap The Features of Cash Value Life Insurance You can set up a cash-value life insurance policy with regular premium payments. Part of the payment will go toward the policy's death benefit, while part of it will go into the cash value portion of the policy. Cash value in a life insurance policy builds up tax-deferred just like an IRA. But, unlike an IRA, you can often add much more to the life insurance contract than a traditional IRA. Also, with the new life insurance products, you can have your cash-value account linked to an outside index like the S&P 500. This allows you to earn higher interest than fixed rates, but most policies also come with a floor of zero to avoid losing any of your principal investment. Another great feature of life insurance that most people are not aware of is you can access your cash value growth at retirement by taking a policy loan. Unlike a traditional IRA, this policy loan allows you to access your value tax-free. It's a win-win scenario. - Mike Raines, Raines Insurance Group

To help you make the best out of your promotion and raise at work, I asked business leaders what is one thing someone should do when they earn a big promotion and raise at work. From expressing gratitude to updating your resume, there are several pieces of advice that may help you make the best use of your promotion and raise at work. What to Do After You Get a Raise Express Gratitude Make Smart Decisions Avoid The Trap of Overspending Improve Your Quality of Life Adjust Your Monthly Savings Update Your Resume Express Gratitude The concepts of the self-made man and overnight success have begun to unravel as professionals start to recognize the contributions of others. After a big win, it’s tempting for hard-chargers to set the next goal, but allow yourself a moment of reflection. Consider what you learned from the victory and who helped you along the way. Then, thank them and commit to repaying the kindness. Mentors move mountains. - Tim Toterhi, Plotline Leadership Make Smart Decisions When you receive a promotion or raise, make sure you adjust your investment and retirement plan. Take advantage of this increase and put more into your 401k or IRA account. Pay down high-interest debt and build up your emergency savings with 3-6 months of expenses. If you have those taken care of, set up a non-retirement investment account to accumulate funds for the mid-term. Review your plan with a Financial Advisor to make sure you are making suitable financial decisions. - Alison Stine, Stine Wealth Management Avoid the Trap of Overspending Once your income goes up, you will probably feel inclined to spend more because you will likely afford more. For that reason alone, you should take things slowly, or you might end up in debt even though you’re making more money. Lack of planning, more than lack of money, is what leads to debt. When you think you have more, you often start spending more, which can quickly drain your bank account. The first step is to begin a new budgeting plan and track money in and money out. Know what your expenses are, then compare how much you still have left at the end of the month before you spend any more. In the end, it’s about avoiding bad money surprises. Avoid resorting to credit cards to cover the gap of what you still need to pay until your next paycheck. - Andrei Vasilescu, DontPayFull Improve Your Quality of Life While the emphasis is on paying off debt and other financial goals, a raise should also improve your quality of life. A better quality of life often makes you happier and healthier, making it an excellent way to utilize the promotion. You can get a gym membership, learn a new skill, refurbish your car, or even see a therapist. Whatever you choose should make your future much more pleasant. This activity can be your way of celebrating yourself and acknowledging your hard-earned achievement. Take the opportunity to recognize your accomplishments. - John Tian, Mobitrix Adjust Your Monthly Savings Once you learn your new income level, you should review your financial plans to determine how much you want to save and spend each month going forward. It can feel tempting to want to spend your increased income on anything you please, and perhaps at first, you may want to treat yourself as a reward for your raise. However, you do not want to be financially irresponsible in the long run. - Drew Sherman, RPM Update Your Resume When you earn a big promotion and raise at work, update your resume immediately. Even if you do not expect to actively job hunt in the near future, this action can help the promotion feel more official. Plus, the act can help you better structure your journey. By envisioning what bullet points you might like to write in a few years, you can create goals and timelines for the new position. - Carly Hill, Virtual Holiday Party See my feature in How To Ask For a Pay Raise on Wealthy Single Mommy for additional tips.

After a divorce, you may end up with one source of income that can make it challenging to make ends meet. You also might have to pay child support or receive child support that doesn't cover the expenses that come with raising children. I reached out to divorce attorneys and business leaders for their best advice on how you can survive financially after a divorce. From getting another source of income to seeking support from family, there are several tips that may help you best manage your money. Managing your Money After a Divorce Find Another Source of Income Focus on Self Preservation Take Control of Your Finances Create a New Budget Request a Mortgage Modification Seek Support From Family and Friends Find Another Source of Income Your financial capability will surely drop after a divorce. Unlike before, you have to adjust your budget according to how much you earn for yourself. Regarding this, adding another source of income would help you handle and manage your struggling financial capability. You can get a side gig or a part-time job that wouldn't coincide and affect your main job and put yourself at risk. An added source of income will also help you build your own credit and start saving. - Paw Vej, Financer.com Ltd Focus on Self Preservation For anyone who's getting a divorce, my top advice is to always start with closing any joint accounts. Your goal is to keep any assets you have that are your own money, and the last thing you want is for someone to withdraw everything you have. For that reason, it's best to have your own separate account as soon as possible and close any joint ones so you have complete control of what goes in or comes out of your account, with no fear of unknown purchases or withdrawals. This also minimizes any chances of someone taking more money from your account, which could result in the loss of your funds and the potential to owe the bank some hefty overdraft fees. To protect what you own, you need to ensure no one has any access to your accounts but you. Divorce is already expensive as it is, so you need to protect the money you currently have. - Andrei Vasilescu, DontPayFull Take Control of Your Finances After a divorce, the one thing that affects the separating couple is the finances. The soon-to-be-ex couple often fails to figure out their budget and finances post-divorce. It is very understandable since they go through an emotional phase. Yet, they should collect themselves as soon as possible and manage their budget. They should cut off their unnecessary expenses until they are in complete control of their budget. - Natalie Maximets, Online Divorce Create a New Budget Once you have control of your finances, sit down and create a new budget to track your expenses. Take into account all payments (child support, alimony) that you are responsible for now and all streams of income you have as a single person. You can see where you may be spending unnecessarily and how to allocate these funds to your debts and payments. Try to write out all of your expenses for one month to get a better perspective on your situation. - Riley Adams, CPA, Young and the Invested Request a Mortgage Modification Surviving financially after a divorce is difficult but not impossible: a mortgage modification with your housing lender may be an avenue to consider if you are seeking lower interest rates or reducing your current payments, and refinancing is not an option. Lenders are not obligated to renegotiate your loan terms, so be prepared to show evidence of hardship whether you contact the lender directly or work with a third party. Should you engage with a settlement company, do your research to avoid onerous fees and scammers. A few items you may need as a part of this process include proof of income, tax documents, bank statements, and a letter to the lender describing the nature of your hardship. Local housing agencies also may offer financial education resources or pro bono services from qualified financial counselors to help you evaluate options before approaching your lender with a mortgage modification request. - Russell Lieberman, Altan Insights Seek Support From Family and Friends One tip for surviving financially after a divorce is to ensure that you have support from family and friends and a solid budget. This budget should include all of your necessary expenses and any debts that you may have. Additionally, it is important to start saving for your future so that unexpected financial costs do not catch you off guard. Finally, it is important to seek out support from friends or family members who may be able to help you through this difficult time. - Brian Meiggs, My Millennial Guide

Clutter was everywhere, and I couldn't think straight. I had a list of things to do in my office, and I could not get started because of the clutter. It was stressing me out, and I just walked away. Usually, I'm a very organized person, and that week I had a lot going on. Has this ever happened to you? Conquering Clutter My task list was not going anywhere, so I turned back around and started straightening up my desk and getting my papers organized. I started separating my business papers, my employer's papers, and study material into a section of its own. My desk was back to normal, and I could breathe and think better. I took a couple of minutes to look at my accomplishment and reflect on how I got into that situation in the first place. I reminded myself that I needed to follow my list and take the time to organize one area before moving on to the next. If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign? - Einstein Sorry Einstein, but I'd rather have a clear desk and an uncluttered mind. See my feature in A Sortable List of 80 Morning Routines from Highly Productive People. Creating A Tasks Lists Creating a task list can help you conquer your weekly and daily duties. Whether washing clothes, cooking dinner, managing your budget, or doing your taxes, having a task list can help you check the box and maintain your sanity. When you finish a task, checking the box can also motivate you to move on to the next day's item. You don't want to be busy and not accomplish anything at all. Your task list can help you focus. Developing A Routine When you develop a routine, it can flow over into other aspects of your life. Having a daily or weekly schedule can help you prepare meals, leave your home for work quicker, and even develop an exercise routine. It can also help you manage your finances. I know you've probably heard that variety is the spice of life, but sometimes you may need a sprinkle of sugar. It can eliminate the chaos that I encountered when walking into my office. Managing Your Finances How does having a routine help you manage your finances? Let me ask you this. When you wake up in the morning, do you already know what you're going to wear? If not, do you stand in your closet trying to pick out an outfit, and how long does that take you? What happens after that is a trickledown effect on your day and your budget. See my feature in How to Organize Your Closet, According to Women Who Really Have Their Lives Together. Standing in your closet before you leave for work can take a few extra minutes that you didn't plan for. Then, you run out the door without eating breakfast, drinking your coffee, or taking your lunch. So now, you pull up to your favorite breakfast spot and leave work to pick up a bite for lunch. By the time you're halfway through the day, you've spent about $25 that you didn't have in your budget. And, the day was stressful, so you pick up food on the way home so that you can relax. Whoa, that's another $30 for a family of four! Does that sound about right? Try doing this three to five times a week and add up how much you spend. The Solution Try creating a weekly schedule for yourself. On Saturday, make your dinner meal plans for the week and ensure that you have everything you need and any meat thawed out. On Sunday, pick out your outfits for the week. Start each day with a bit of exercise in the morning. Exercising can help you mentally prepare for the day ahead. Your clothes are already picked out so you can shower, dress, and prepare your breakfast and lunch. Tip: Prepare your lunch the night before so you only have to worry about breakfast and coffee in the morning. Finally, when you get home, cook the dinner that you planned. Creating a weekly schedule can save you between $100 to $150 a week, depending on your family size. It can also help you maintain your sanity and your health. Eating healthier food at home not only saves you money but can also save you a trip to the doctor. Your health is wealth, and taking care of it today can help you save money for future goals.

Have you been searching the internet for ways to get your credit score for free? Well, there's always a catch when you see the phrase "Get your credit score at no charge!" You either have to sign up for a credit card or have a bank account with the company offering the free FICO score. You may also see that you can get your VantageScore for free if you sign up for Credit Karma. So, what's the difference between a VantageScore and a FICO credit score? And how do they affect your ability to get credit? Let's review what your credit score consists of and the differences between the two scores. What's In A Credit Report? Your credit report comprises your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, social security number, previous addresses, and employers. It includes all the types of credit you have, such as your mortgage, car loans, and credit card balances. You will be able to see any delinquent accounts, such as past-due utilities, cell phone bills, and even medical debt. At the bottom of your credit report, you will see all public records, such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, and any judgments that have been placed against you. Finally, all inquiries for credit will show to future lenders. How To Rebuild Your Credit What Is A Credit Score? Your credit score tells future lenders how likely you are to repay any money they may loan to you. If you are making only the minimum payment on your accounts or if your accounts are maxed out, then they may see this as a red flag that you are overextending your available credit. Also, moving or changing jobs frequently affects the equation that creates your credit score. Finally, frequent inquiries on your account may leave lenders wondering why you are trying to obtain additional credit. So, it's essential not to constantly apply for new credit, especially if you want to make a big purchase soon. See my feature in How to get an 800 Credit Score What's a FICO Score? A FICO score is your credit score that the Fair Isaac Corporation created. Your FICO score can range between 300 and 850. It's one of the most common scoring systems lenders use to help determine your creditworthiness. It can also vary depending on the reporting agency that the lender uses. For example, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax may report your score differently because not all lenders report your credit information to each agency. However, each of the scores you receive from these agencies will closely represent your level of lending risk. What's the VantageScore 3.0? VantageScores were created in 2006. Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax created it as a way to create a more consistent credit scoring method. Your VantageScore 3.0 can also range from 300 to 850 and ranks your creditworthiness using a scale of A through F. You can track your VantageScore for free using CreditKarma, CreditCards.com, Nerdwallet, and more. Lenders sometimes use this model to determine your creditworthiness. However, I want to mention that it scores your credit differently from the FICO score, which could affect your credit approval if the scores are not interpreted similarly. How Your FICO Score Is Calculated 35% Payment History - Your on-time or late payments 30% Debt You Owe - Compared to your available credit 15% The Length of Your Credit History - When your credit journey started, and how long your accounts have been opened/closed 10% Types of Credit - Mortgage loan, auto loan, credit cards, etc. 10% New Credit - Credit you applied for within the last two years and inquiries on your credit report. See the difference between a credit charge-off and a collection. How Your Vantage Score is Calculated 40% Payment History - Your on-time or late payments 21% Depth of Credit - The length of your credit history and the types of credit you have 20% Utilization - The current debt you have 11% Balances - The amount of debt you owe on your current and delinquent accounts 5% Recent Credit - Credit you applied for within the last two years and inquiries on your credit report. 3% Available Credit - The total amount of credit available to you Here's a great book that can help you on your credit journey. Your Score: An Insider's Secrets to Understanding, Controlling, and Protecting Your Credit Score (Ad) FICO Scores and VantageScores are good tools to keep track of your credit history. However, it's also important to know that each lender may use a different mechanism to evaluate your creditworthiness. Keeping a handle on the credit you apply for, making on-time payments, and keeping your credit utilization low can help you increase your credit score. An important tip is to be patient as you watch your credit score grow. Want to learn how to get rid of credit card debt once and for all? Read more here.

If you're in the market for a new home, you may want a move-in ready home that requires minimal upgrades. However, there are some items that may increase the cost of your mortgage and cost you more in the long run. To help you avoid unnecessary home upgrades, I asked real estate experts and homeowners about new construction upgrades that you should avoid adding to the cost of your mortgage. From avoiding wallpaper to saying no to custom built-ins, there are several recommendations that may help you avoid choosing needless new home upgrades in the future. New Home Upgrades to Avoid Wallpaper Non-Eco-Friendly Features Glass Front Door Granite Countertops Light Fixtures Kitchen Backsplash Custom Built-Ins Wood Flooring Wallpaper Adding wallpaper can be risky. First of all, you would need to make sure that you are definitely in favor of this wallpaper before you put it up. Also, you may change your mind over time and have to redo the wallpaper. Furthermore, prospective buyers may not like this wallpaper if you ever decide to sell the home. - Drew Sherman, Carvaygo Non-Eco-Friendly Features One thing many new homeowners are seeking today is eco-friendly features throughout the home. Features such as energy-saving appliances and drought-resistant landscaping provide savings when it comes to water, gas, and electric bills. They also contribute to overall environmental health. When upgrading a home, pay attention to these details as they hold the potential to increase your property value and appeal to more buyers when it comes time to put your home on the market. - Than Merrill, FortuneBuilders Glass Front Door One home construction upgrade to avoid is a fancy, glass front door. While it may add some curb appeal, it can also be a security hazard. A thief can easily break the door to gain access to your home. - Matthew Ramirez, Rephrasely Granite Countertops Granite Countertops are yet another home upgrade that simply isn't worth the time and effort. This is because granite countertops can be extremely expensive and aren't always going to give you a bang for your buck. A countertop made of butcher block, concrete, or quartz can look just as good as a granite countertop and will save you money. Granite countertops also require regular maintenance in order to keep them looking good. Concrete and quartz countertops do not require this type of maintenance. If you are thinking of upgrading your home with granite countertops, think again! Many other options will look just as good, if not better, and will save you money in the long run. - Marc De Diego Ferrer, MCA Assessors Light Fixtures While additional lighting is always an excellent choice, upgraded lighting fixtures are rarely worth the investment at a builder's showroom. Light fixtures are a fashion accessory and come in a huge variety of styles and quality levels at all kinds of price points. Trends come and go. This is something you can easily DIY once you have time to get a feel for the style and use patterns of your new home. - Kenny Jobe, Legacy Roofing Northwest Kitchen Backsplash The upgrades produce a significant profit for a home builder (heavily marked up). Your salesperson will try to persuade you to buy the kitchen backsplash, which, yes, does look excellent in images and the demo home. However, tile work is time-consuming, and the builder will factor in a significant expense for labor and the tiles you select. After closing, you can install a kitchen backsplash for about 40% less than what the builder would charge you. In my view, you should seek bargains on high-quality tiles and hire someone to construct your kitchen backsplash. This is a simple new house improvement to avoid. - Angela Blakenship, Best Neighborhood Custom Built-Ins Drywall built-in entertainment centers. These seemed like a great idea, but then the sizes of the televisions kept increasing, and with these, you couldn't upgrade or replace without getting the same size. Another is lighting. Builders charge high rates for LED and motion lights, but these are simple to DIY nowadays and cost a fraction of the price. - Mike Powell, Red Flag Home Inspection, LLC Wood Flooring Wood flooring is the final home upgrade to avoid. This is because wood flooring can be expensive, and it is a difficult upgrade to do on your own. If you are thinking of upgrading your home with wood flooring, think again. Many other options will look just as good, if not better, and will save you money in the long run. Laminate flooring is an excellent alternative to wood flooring, and it is much less expensive. Laminate flooring also does not require a lot of maintenance. It is a great option for people who are on a budget and want to upgrade their homes. - Peter Lucas, Relocate to Andorra

The unexpected always happens when you're least prepared for it. That's why you may be surprised when an unexpected event does occur. Things like car accidents, doctor's bills, natural disasters, or even air conditioner repairs all occur seemingly out of nowhere. So, how do you protect yourself from these unexpected events without going into financial ruin? Here are a few unexpected life events and how you can protect your finances in an emergency. Expenses That You Might Charge To Your Credit Card Living in Florida, numerous unexpected emergencies can lead to individuals using their credit cards to cover expenses. One of the most prevalent emergencies is air conditioning repair or replacements. The temperatures in Florida can rise into the 100's and air conditioners are used for at least ten months out of the year. Increased usage puts a strain on the a/c and can cause you to replace the entire system or overhaul it faster than expected. In my case, it was less than eight years in a new home before we needed a new system. Other emergencies that occur in Florida are hurricanes. Hurricanes can leave you scrambling to find canned food, gas for your generator, and even candles. Hurricanes can also have you doublechecking your homeowners' insurance policy to ensure you have credible coverage. If you don't have money saved up in these situations or credible coverage, you could end up paying out of pocket or using your credit card to cover any costs. Budget Busters And How To Reduce Them Strategies To Protect Your Credit Score From Emergencies To protect your credit score during emergencies, you can build an emergency fund that can cover medical, household, job loss, and other unexpected events that may occur. Also, double-check your insurance policy to see if you have enough coverage in the case of an emergency. Do you have a flood policy? Have you done any renovations lately? If so, did you notify the insurance company of your home upgrades? If not, your policy may not have the appropriate coverage levels to rebuild your home with the upgrades included. In the case of a job loss, COVID has taught us that the unemployment system cannot always be a backup source of income. Creating an emergency fund that can cover three to six months of your monthly expenses can help bridge the gap until you find suitable employment. In addition, building an emergency fund reduces the need to use your credit card during emergencies and eliminates the need to borrow money at exorbitant interest rates. Ultimately, having additional funds saved up can help keep your budget on track and allow you to continue planning for your future goals. See my feature in 8 Things To Do After Being Laid Off. Programs That Help People With Credit Emergencies The Public Benefit Corporation curates resources through Findhelp.org that provide community members with assistance during emergencies. If you are looking for help with food, housing, transportation, work, and any other subset of these categories, aid is available in your local area. Harris Financial Coaching is a participating member of findhelp.org, and there are many more in your local area. Fema.gov is another resource that provides funeral assistance if a family member has passed away due to COVID-19. The Homeowner Assistance Fund was also established by the American Rescue Plan Act and can help you if you were financially impacted by COVID-19. So, if you are having difficulty paying for your mortgage or utilities, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance. Find out more here. Did You Miss A Credit Card or Other Bill Payment? If you miss a credit card or bill payment, it's essential to pay it as soon as possible. Not paying the bill can lead to additional fees and late payments being due. Some utility bills, mortgage payments, or credit cards have a grace period before you're charged a late fee or additional interest. Paying as soon as you realize that you miss a payment reduces the chances of it being reported to the credit reporting bureaus. Whatever you do, planning for emergencies by building up an emergency fund and ensuring that you have medical, homeowners', and even life insurance can reduce some of the financial turmoil caused by emergencies. The words of Confucius still ring true thousands of years later: "A man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble at his door."

To help you with preparing to ask for a raise, I asked HR managers and CEOs for their best insights. From communicating challenges you overcame to presenting tangible numbers and results, there are several tips that may help you ask for a raise in the future. So, what's one thing to consider when asking for a raise? Preparation Tips for Asking for a Raise Communicate Challenges You Overcame Consider Asking For Perks Prepare for the Worst Ask for More Than You'd Settle For Make Sure Your Industry is in Good Shape Expect a Waiting Period Determine Why Your Boss Should Give You a Raise Come Into The Meeting Well-Prepared Plan a Year Ahead Consider Your Timing Present Tangible Numbers and Results Communicate Challenges You Overcame Your boss and company must see your real growth. Therefore, instead of raving about your achievements, narrate the stories of how you encountered a challenge, made a superior result, and solved an issue. When we're nervous, we often demonstrate the victories. But, taken out of context, those victories may be challenging for another person to understand. Therefore, you need to communicate the whole story without telling the brief. It will show your boss how you think, how you approach work, and how you will take on cumbersome responsibilities in the future. So, never forget to consider proper communication. - Eden Cheng, PeopleFinderFree Consider Asking For Perks It's understandable you might want a raise for doing impressive work. However, if the company has a tight salary band, you might ask for perks instead of a monetary raise. For instance, you could ask for a more flexible schedule until the company can pay your target salary. As long as you continue to meet employer expectations while you are waiting for your monetary raise, enjoy the perks you can negotiate for yourself in the meantime. - Janice Wald, Mostly Blogging Prepare for the Worst One thing to consider is that you may not get it, and it is important to be mentally prepared for such a scenario. The best thing one can do in this situation is to ask their boss, "What would I have to do to get a raise?". In that way, you get a list with all requirements, and you can use it as leverage during your next negotiation about the raise. - Magdalena Socha, PhotoAiD Ask for More Than You'd Settle For It's important to do your research on how much you should be making in your position/industry. With that number in mind, you can decide what amount you would be happy settling for. Whatever you would be happy with, ask for more in your meeting so that you have wiggle room when the company (likely) counters you with a lower number. - Kristine Thorndyke, Test Prep Nerds Make Sure Your Industry is in Good Shape Especially in post-corona times, economic conditions are dynamic. Over the last two years, some industries have suffered more than others. Consequently, employees should study the shape of their industry and their company before asking for a raise. In some cases, the company might not be able to increase the payment at the moment. - Tomek Mlodzki, PhotoAiD Expect a Waiting Period When you ask for a raise, don't expect an immediate answer. Your boss likely won't have the permissions required to immediately increase your compensation. There are additional leaders involved, budgets to consider, and other employees who may have recently asked for a raise as well. All of these factors may be taken into consideration, which may take some time. Don't give up, but don't be disappointed if you walk out of the room without a bigger paycheck. - Logan Mallory, Motivosity Determine Why Your Boss Should Give You a Raise Think about your level of contribution to the team in the past year and what giving you a raise would mean for your boss. Has your performance indicated that you've made significant impacts to the company? Would giving you a raise retain you and push you to work harder? Putting yourself in your boss's shoes will help you think of ways that you can spin your request for a raise to make it mutually beneficial. When you do meet with your boss, make the initial conversation career-focused, including a performance review and what you and your boss's goals are for you moving forward. From here, you will better understand what exactly you can bring up when you do ask for a raise. - Jacob Dayan, Community Tax Come Into The Meeting Well-Prepared Asking for a raise and salary negotiations are not something to be taken lightly! With every negotiation you initially complete with a new company, the rest of your salary increases are based directly on that number in most cases. You need to make sure it's a salary that's fair and worthy of the time you are sacrificing away from your family to go to a company and gift them 40+ hours each week. Here are 5 key takeaways: Identify your range, considerations of the proper range, and remember the lowest number is typically what recruiters remember. Research the role, industry, and geographical pay rates on Glassdoor or Salary. Figure out your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and value offerings that relate to the targeted role and re-emphasize this at the negotiation table. Evaluate reasons to negotiate your salary (education, experience, skills, cost of living, multiple offers, etc.). Discover ways to increase your perceived worth. - Matthew Warzel, MJW Careers LLC Plan a Year Ahead An employee should plan well ahead of time when asking for a raise. A year before, have a discussion with your boss. Tell them your goal of getting a raise in 12 months. Offer to achieve specific goals and ask if there are any others that you could achieve that would help the company's bottom line. I suggest an opening to the discussion such as: "I would like to talk about specific goals I can achieve over the next year to earn an x% raise. I can assist our company in reaching its financial goals by doing x, y, and z in order to show my commitment to our success. Are there any others I should add? Does this work for you? If your employer isn't open to this discussion, then spend the next year looking for another employer. - Jean Prejean, Guardian Computer, LLC Consider Your Timing When asking for a raise, the main thing to consider is timing. Showing your skills and possibilities to contribute to the project within the right time is essential as this can define a yes or no. That doesn't mean you should wait for the perfect time because it will never come. But yes, you should be aware of the movements that facilitate the acceptance of your request. Usually, they happen at critical moments (for those who like to take risks) or soon after outstanding achievements. - Thaina Geniselli, Financer.com Present Tangible Numbers and Results Don't JUST ask for a raise. Raises are usually given when an employee consistently delivers high-quality work that positively impacts the organization. And if you're not sure if your work is providing those types of results or if you can be doing more to achieve success… ask! When you have tangible numbers and results to share with your manager, present them meaningfully, reinforcing the value and impact you bring to your organization, and ask to chat about a compensation adjustment based on your recent performance. - Mike O'Callaghan, eMoney Advisor, LLC For additional tips, see my feature in How To Ask For a Pay Raise on Wealthy Single Mommy.

To help assist first-time homebuyers, we asked experienced homebuyers and insurance experts this question for their best tips. From searching for first-time buyer programs to having extra money set aside for hidden homeowner costs, there are several recommendations that may help you with buying your first home. What is one tip that you would give a first-time homebuyer? Financial Tips for First-Time Homebuyers Search for First-Time Buyer Programs Avoid Unnecessary Upgrades Don't Get Too Attached to Specific Homes Make an Offer Only When You are Sure Do Your Due Diligence Make a Competitive Offer Get a Loan Pre-Approval and Stay Within Your Budget Make Sure You Have a Good Credit Score Have Extra Money Set Aside for Hidden Homeowner Costs Search for First-Time Buyer Programs Local and federal governments often treat a first-time home purchase differently from other such transactions. Different programs are often available, offering anything from a minor tax rebate to preferential mortgage terms. Checking whether you qualify can take minutes and usually save you several percent of the total cost, which can easily reach 10s of thousands. That's pretty good for 30 minutes of researching and a few hours of applying! -Michael Sena, SENACEA Avoid Unnecessary Upgrades When buying a home, some upgrades are worth getting initially if they last for at least 20 years. These upgrades include tile flooring, higher ceilings, adult-height sinks, and kitchen cabinetry. These upgrades are items that most people obtain home equity lines of credit for after owning their home for a while. It would be best to avoid upgrading appliances, light fixtures, door handles or even adding blinds throughout the house. These items will not last 30 years, which is the typical time for a mortgage. And these items can be upgraded later with a bit of know-how and can cost you less over time. -Annette Harris, Harris Financial Coaching Don't Get Too Attached to Specific Homes If you want to find a good deal, don't fall in love with any specific home. Remain open to possibilities and be willing to compromise on certain features. Remember, the home you eventually purchase doesn't have to be perfect- it just has to have the potential to be perfect for you. -Matthew Ramirez, Paraphrasing Tool Make an Offer Only When You are Sure It may happen that you have been looking for a house for a long time and you are not convinced by any of them. Faced with this desperation, it is common for buyers to buy a house on impulse to the fact of losing another opportunity. But realize that this decision will have repercussions for your whole life, and it is worth waiting a little longer before rushing emotionally and making an offer on a house you don't like. -Natalia Brzezinska, PhotoAiD Do Your Due Diligence Every first-time homebuyer needs a bit of buyer education. To complete the purchase of a property from start to finish and to have it go off without a hitch requires your buyer doing their due diligence. This means doing their research and knowing the ins, outs, and all the processes of home-buying that will make things easier for everyone involved. They should ask the right questions of their broker or agent, their lender, and anyone else involved to help it go more smoothly and avoid any roadblocks that could upend the entire transaction. -Matt Woods, SOLD.com Make a Competitive Offer You have no idea how much you should offer as a first-time buyer. You're ready to make an offer because you've already been preapproved for a loan. Make sure you don't go over your spending limit. Make an offer that is within your price range. Ask your real estate agent to assist you in ensuring that your offer stands out from the competition. It would be best if you researched and checked out the market value. It is important not to make a too generous offer to beat out the competitors. Also, try to figure out a range from the seller, which will help you bid a good amount. -Ryan Yount, Luckluckgo Get a Loan Pre-Approval and Stay Within Your Budget One piece of advice that I would give to a first-time homebuyer is to always have a loan pre-approval in hand before you start your home search. This will help you narrow down your search to homes that are within your budget and avoid any heartache down the road. Additionally, it is important to be realistic about what you can afford and to stay within your budget. Don't overspend on your new home just because you think it will increase in value down the road - you could quickly find yourself underwater on your mortgage. Instead, be realistic about what you can afford and stick to it. This will help you avoid any financial trouble down the road. -Amira Irfan, A Self Guru Make Sure You Have a Good Credit Score Having a solid credit history can help when applying for a mortgage or home loan. If you use credit cards often or cannot keep up with monthly bills, it's time to make some changes before looking at houses. By showing lenders that you've successfully managed money in the past, your chances of getting approved for a mortgage increase greatly. You should aim for at least five years' worth of history with no late payments or other negative marks against you on your credit report since these can hurt your chances of getting approved. -Peter Lucas, Relocate to Andorra Have Extra Money Set Aside for Hidden Homeowner Costs As an insurance expert with ExpertInsuranceReviews.com, I knew how to find the most affordable homeowners insurance when I recently became a first-time homeowner. That savings, as well as comparison shopping mortgage rates and negotiating closing costs, helped me weather hidden costs of homeownership that surprised me during my first year despite my family being in real estate. For example, in addition to the mortgage cost, I also factored in utilities, regular maintenance of the HVAC system, regular pest control, and lawn care. But I didn't count on an influx of carpenter bees my first spring, followed by birds building nests in my carport, then other bugs that tried to take over my shed. This called for extra pest control company expenses and extra trips to Lowe's, where I was already accruing credit card debt for having to purchase a washer and dryer as well as a lawnmower, edger, and leaf blower. -Karen Condor, ExpertInsuranceReviews.com