Tag Archives: expenses

Simple Ways To Lower These 5 Monthly Bills

bills, money, expenses, monthly costs, budget, finances

Pixabay. CCO Licensed.

Many people are looking to cut costs at the moment. Finding ways to reduce your monthly bills could be one way to do this. While there are many long-term investments you can make to reduce your bills such as installing solar panels to reduce energy bills, there are less drastic measures that you may be able to implement immediately. Below are some examples of how to reduce these 5 bills.

Energy bills

Heating/cooling accounts for about 48% of the average home’s energy consumption. By relying less on heating and cooling, you could reduce future bills. Wrap up warm in winter and rely more on fans in the summer (these use a fraction of the electricity of air con). Beyond heating and cooling, consider other appliances that guzzle energy. Washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers can account for 14% of household energy usage – make sure you’re not washing/drying half-loads and use the right wash/dry settings to reduce energy usage. 

Insurance premiums

When was the last time you shopped around for insurance?  You could potentially save money on your health insurance premium by switching to another insurer. Many people stay loyal to one insurer because of incentives like no claims bonuses, but you may find that there are still cheaper deals out there to grab new customers. It’s worth noting that ringing up insurance companies and asking for a price can also sometimes get you access to better deals than you might be offered online. 

TV/internet bills

TV/internet is something you can also usually haggle down the price of if you’re willing to ring your provider up. If you threaten to leave, you will often be offered very low exclusive deals by a sales rep to stop you from leaving – these deals are worth taking advantage of. It’s also important to consider what services you actually need. Are you paying for channels that you don’t watch? Reducing the channels available could help you access cheaper rates. 

Credit card bills

A simple way to lower your credit card bills is to stop flashing the plastic as often. While paying by credit card can come with incentives and rewards, every purchase you make becomes a debt with interest fees. Switching to your debit card for everyday purchases can lower your credit card bills. Focus on paying off as much of your credit card bills as you can to reduce interest fees – you shouldn’t be regularly maxing out your card. Make sure you’re also taking advantage of the rewards offered by your credit card.

Loan/finance repayments

Loans and finance repayments can take their toll on our finances. It’s important to consider how much interest you are paying and whether it would be worth refinancing. This involves paying off high interest debts with a lower interest loan. Many people are able to save thousands by refinancing mortgages and car finance. Just be wary of exit fees charged by some lenders – these can sometimes make refinancing not worthwhile.

Top Tips To Keep Your Vacation Expenses On Track

vacation, travel, expenses, money
Image Credit

International family trips were a hot trend in 2018, according to AAA. They found that 35% of families planning a vacation had set their sights on a trip abroad, with trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic leading the way. Despite the average American spending 10% of their annual income on vacations, 27% of families opt to take three or more trips per year. Therefore, in order to maintain this lifestyle and enjoy family fun-filled days on the beach, it’s essential that you take steps to keep your vacation costs down. 

Book in advance 

When you’re hunting for a vacation online, you’ll undoubtedly come across endless adverts for low-price last minute deals. However, these deals often mean flying at undesirable times of the night which is far from ideal with kids in tow. Additionally, hidden costs such as baggage fees still need to be factored in. Travel Insider recommends booking your vacation as far in advance as possible and at least one month before you plan to travel. By doing this, you’ll secure the perfect room for your family and will avoid last-minute price increases. 

Prepare your expenses 

On a vacation abroad, you’ll want to indulge and show your kids the wonderful sights and tourist attractions of your chosen location. However, this comes at a cost of $4,580 for a family of four. By planning your excursions and daily itinerary before you go, you’ll know exactly how much cash you’ll need each day. Pop this cash in an envelope and lock it in your room’s safe when you arrive to ensure you don’t go over your daily budget. You should also seek out ways to gain incentives with your payment method. By signing up to a reward credit card, you can earn cashback and rewards when you dine out and shop overseas. This can then cover the cost of a small family treat at the end of your trip. 

Be financially savvy before you go 

74% of holidaymakers fall into debt as a result of overspending on vacation. However, there’s no need to see your finances falter if you meticulously save before you go. Set up a savings account especially for your family vacations and have a standing order in place to top it up each month. This way, you’ll always have cash put aside for your beloved family trips. It’s also wise to make cutbacks before any big vacation. So, be sure to follow in the footsteps of the 50% of Americans who reduce the amount they eat out and the 41% who shop less. 

There’s nothing better than kicking back and relaxing with your family on a joyous vacation. However, to ensure you can cover the cost of this luxury, you should make your booking in advance, prepare your expenses before you go and take steps to cut your spending before boarding the plane.

Does President Obama Want More More Stay-At-Home Dads?

The social media world of parents, stay-at-home moms in particular is blowing up after President Obama’s speech in Providence, Rhode Island on 10/13/14.

During his speech, Obama was going about about the need for better childcare and his main solution was high quality childcare for children, but not wanting Americans, mainly women making the choice to stay home. Here’s his exact words from the transcript…

Obama Against At-home Parents Speech_10-31-14

There have been many stay-at-home moms who quickly lashed out on Facebook and Twitter to show their anger from his words, and rightfully so!

Mollie Hemingway published an article on The Federalist title 3 Reasons President Obama is Wrong About Stay-At-Home Mothers, and again, I agree with her stance.

But, this leaves me thinking, does Obama think it would be better for more men to be Stay-At-Home fathers instead? Or, is he just thinking we don’t exist and it’s only women who stay at home? I’m a major support of any at-home and working parent as I am and have been both and if works in your family, that’s the best thing!

Having a parent stay home to raise the kid(s) is wonderful for their development and saves a lot of hassle from dealing with getting them to and from daycare along with the expense similar to if not greater than sending them to college.

Anyway, just had to share my thoughts on our President’s great ideas (sense my sarcasm) and would like to get your thoughts.

How do you feel about Obama’s words on childcare and stay-at-home parenting?