Do you hesitate to travel for fear such getaways will mean spending too money? If you said yes, you are by no means alone.

That said do not always let expenses get in the way of fun and adventure.

With some careful planning and looking out for deals, you can find fun savings before you know it.

So, is it time to think about packing the luggage and getting away for fun?

Where Might You Find Savings on Online

In your efforts to get away and yet not break the bank in the process, use the Internet to your advantage.

By going online, you can find more savings than you likely anticipated.

For example, what if you are interested in finding discounts on Disneyland tickets? Yes, such tickets and savings do exist.

For many travelers, venues such as Disneyland are high on their lists of things to see and do. If you have children, a visit to Disneyland is even more special.

That said go online and see where you can track down savings for Disneyland and other such venues. Finding a brand’s travel partner and more can lead you to getting discounted tickets. When you do, you are not fretting as much about spending a lot of money.

While on social media, also take the time to check out pertinent social media accounts.

Such accounts related to places you want to visit and more can lead you down the path to finding savings.

No matter how you use the Internet to help you in finding travel savings, be sure to do it.

Look for Savings at Your Destination

You also want to look for savings at your destination before and even once you have arrived.

If traveling with children, see if hotels, restaurants and more cost less for young ones. If you are a member of the military or even a senior citizen, it is also worth your time to check in and see about savings.

One mistake too many make over time is that they assume there will not be savings wherever they go.

As a result, they are often spending more money than they need to at the end of the day. If you do not ask, how would you know whether there are savings waiting for you or not?

Do Not Run up a Big Credit Card Bill

Finally, it is important when traveling that you steer clear of running up a big credit card bill.

Unfortunately, too many end up with big credit card bills from their getaways. As such, it takes much of the fun out of getting away in the first place.

Your best bet when traveling is to try and use cash whenever possible. This not only keeps your credit card debt to a minimum, but it also often leads to spending less money. Many are more apt to buy stuff when they have the plastic card available. This is as opposed to cash coming out of their wallet or purse.

As you look to save money on your next getaway, do all you can to enjoy your trip and not fret over finances.

The post Fun Away from Home Doesn’t Always Mean Spending a Ton of Money appeared first on Money $aving Michele.

We all want to save money whenever possible, especially consider that the average American household is roughly $137,000 in debt. There are credit card bills, mortgages, and student loans to pay. But many consumers don’t realize there are many ways to save without having to change up too many of your habits. While it’s important to make purchases smartly, this doesn’t mean you have to resort to three-course meals of cheap ramen. Here are a few ways you can save money on products you’re already buying:

Use Your Credit Card Rewards Programs

You may not realize it, but you can alreadya decent amount of money with the cards you have in your wallet already. For example, Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Network allows you to get cash back from local retailers. You can simply open up your app and see which retailers participate in the program, and decide which are best for you. This way, you can shop with the stores that are affiliated with your bank and credit cards in mind. Some cards allow you to earn points on those purchases, which can be redeemed for everything from cash to airline flights.

The 1 Hour Work Week

The1HourWorkWeek.com is a platform where users get paid to shop. Shop from thousands of retail products that you already use, and you’ll get automatic cash back each month, direct deposited into your account. You can earn even more by signing up for the Referral program and making a percentage of initial purchases made by users you refer. From clothing and accessories to food and pt products, you’re guaranteed to find something you already use in your household.

Buy Discounted Gift Cards

Websites like Gift Card Granny let you save a few bucks when you purchase discounted gift cards. While it typically only saves you a few bucks at a time, these small dollar amounts add up. While you can save 1% on gift cards from major retailers like Amazon, there are smaller niche retailers where you can save upwards of 50% on the sticker price.

Search for Promotion Codes

If you’re purchasing something online and notice that there’s a field for a “promotion code,” you could benefit from conducting a manual search to see what’s available online. Many times, the promotion code for popular websites is listed somewhere on the Web. For example, if you’re shopping at beauty retailer Sephora, you’d search Google for “coupon codes Sephora” and will likely be met with a handful of results. There are several websites, like Retail Me Not, that aggregate coupons codes as well. Therefore, you can reverse engineer the promotion code search by heading over to that site and searching for stores you already frequent. This allows you to find codes for stores you enjoy shopping from.

Start Meal Planning

Meal planning allows you to properly leverage everything you’ve purchased, maximizing the money you’ve spent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends $3,000 per year on dining out. Many Americans are also spending plenty of money of ordering lunches at work instead of making them at home. Meal planning can prevent you from overspending. Using some of the apps and tools already mentioned here, you can save money on food. Then, spend an afternoon making meals for the rest of the week. Even if you don’t have time to make meals ahead of time, take small steps by planning out your meals for the week on a calendar, which makes it easier for you to take action.

Download Savings Apps

There are dozens of coupon clipping apps available to help you save money when you go to local stores. Two popular options are Ibotta and Favado. With Favado, you can add drug and grocery stores to your list, and the app will automatically add sales prices and other deals on stores you frequent. You can add items to your shopping list directly within the app, and mark them off once you’ve purchased them.

Ibotta, on the other is cash back app that allows you to get a little extra money on products at your local retailers, though it’s most popular with grocery stores. Once you download the app and browse categories, you can unlock rebates by taking a short survey, going into the store, and redeeming your rebate by scanning and uploading a photo of your receipt.

The post Six Ways to Save Money on Products You Already Buy appeared first on Money $aving Michele.

Now in the current year of 2018 many individuals are looking for new ways to start saving money. Many young individuals are now paying back massive school loans and life can be hectic, so it is not surprising that some may need to learn how to save money for their future that they may not be so focused on. A great new way to start saving money is by automating a checking account to automatically send money directly to a savings account as soon as money is directly deposited into an account. Another cool new way to save is by using new apps like Acorn or Piggybank that can be used as a personal savings account. These apps allow individuals to set a specific amount of money with a set recurring period where money can be automatically transferred into the apps where they can build interest and individuals can have a personal savings account that is outside of their main bank. These new apps are making it more convenient for millennials and future generations to make saving more relatable to the type of lifestyle they may be used to. Furthermore, there are also limits as to how many times an individual can withdraw money from their savings account due to laws that are in place. So, the more people have money automatically added to their savings accounts the more they will save and have money added to their futures.

Solar Tax Credit

Another great way to save money on taxes is by taking advantage of your state’s solar tax credit. For example, the Utah Solar Tax Credit is called the RESTC program and allows individuals who install solar panels on their home, until 2021, to receive a $1600 tax credit. This same tax credit can be used repeatedly every year through each year. $400 will be subtracted from the total, so four years later the tax credit will shrink down to $400 instead of $1600. The sad thing about this tax credit is that it will expire by the year 2025, so individuals will have to hurry to take advantage of this great tax credit. In order to take advantage of this tax credit, they must first install a solar energy system in their house from a reputable solar panel installer. By so doing, extra steps to receive the tax cut are automatically done so the homeowner can start saving on both their electric bill and on their taxes. Next, the homeowner must make an account with the Governor’s Office of Energy Development which assistance will be provided from the installer if they are a reputable company. If this process is done correctly, individuals in around six weeks will receive a form called a TC-40E in the mail as evidence if they are audited. They can properly show proof they can use the tax credit. Even though this is a tax credit plan for Utah, individuals in other states can look to see if their state is also offering up a similar tax credit.

Best Retirement Savings Plan

There are 6 main investment vehicles which include: currency, mutual funds, individual stocks, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and REITs. Investing in currency is when an individual trades one currency for another in the foreign exchange market also known as forex. A mutual fund is when someone invests into a large pool where everyone’s wealth can grow together a lot of 401K are invested into mutual funds. Individuals also like to invest in the stock market where they have to research the growing and losing markets where they will invest after researching the market. Furthermore, a lot of people like to invest in precious metals like gold or silver due to them continuously holding their value even when a financial crisis is going on. Due to this, a lot of people say that investing in precious metals is recession proof. Cryptocurrencies are a new way people invest all around the world by investing in virtual money. This virtual money can also be gained by using computer digital mining machines that solve complex problems that reward individuals with more digital or virtual currency. Lastly, the final investment vehicle is known as REITs or real estate investment trusts which are when individuals invest into a pool of different property sectors or holdings.

It’s too bad that saving money is not as easy as spending it, but do some research and see what you can do to save more of your hard-earned dollars. 

The post Brainstorming New Ways To Start Saving appeared first on Money $aving Michele.

Independence for All Thanks to Mobility Technology

There are very few reasons to stay sequestered in your home if you are using a wheelchair. There are a number of ways to go out, on your own, without the need for any assistance, if all the right items are purchased to make this possible. In addition, going out and just traveling around the neighborhood is absolutely possible by looking at getting a motorized powerchair, which doesn’t require the enormous upper arm strength it takes to operate a standard wheelchair.

Portability

Many of the motorized chairs now have a portability factor that is second-to-none. It is nice to be able to have a chair that can be folded up in seconds and that which is small and lightweight when collapsed. This creates freedom for those who cannot ambulate as they once did, or who are requiring a wheelchair to get around. For many getting on in years, this kind of portability might be something they want just so they can get around amusement parks and even shopping malls, or big box stores.

Hitch Lift

Many people in wheelchairs look at getting hitch lifts if they have a larger wheelchair that is not portable. Some of the larger motorized chairs, with the addition of a hitch lift installed on a minivan, allow users to drive themselves right into their vehicle, and then transfer to the driver’s seat.

Technology

There are a number of companies that are leveraging technology to help those that are visually and physically challenged never feel as if they are alone. The technology that exists now can have a person put on a pair of sunglasses that double as cameras. The service that comes with the glasses allow the user to contact a person, in a call center, that will help guide them to where they are going, help them to find out which direction to travel in to arrive at a particular location, or simply be a second set of eyes for those that find comfort in this type of service.

We are only seeing the beginning of this type of technology, but in the fullness-of-time, this technology is going to allow millions to remain in their homes, avoiding institutionalization, well into their golden years. Our elders near-disproportionately do not want to end up in a care facility later in life. These glasses and all other occupational therapy assistive items will keep people fully able to perform their activities-of-daily-living (ADL) and maintaining independence.

Accountability

Using technology, like smartphones, to let family members and loved ones know where you are traveling to, how long you intend to be there and what time you are planning to be home is also very important. For those that are comfortable with this smartphone feature, there are location-based options so that others can check in on your whereabouts. If there was one auspicious development relative to elders and independence, it is technological advances.

There are also a number of resources to learn more about avoiding accidents and falls for seniors.

Fitness

Physical and mental fitness have a tendency to go together. The more exercise you get, the better you feel and the happier you are. Having independence, in the form of a portable wheelchair, provides for independence getting people out of their homes and feeling better. Getting to a fitness center is that much easier when one can get around easily, without relying on others, where perhaps one can partake in the all-important water therapy. Many fitness centers have soaking pools and are designed with those that are elderly and/or physically challenged.

Assistance

Many major grocery stores now have delivery services. Although someone might have the ability to get out and do their shopping, it is also nice to know that in inclement weather, groceries can be delivered through online ordering. This makes life much easier for many.

Also, there are now task services, in most metropolitan areas, where help can be ordered for a specific task, like perhaps collapsing and putting a portable wheelchair in the trunk. A person simply arrives, helps put items in your vehicle, and then they are gone; it is that simple.

There are also online communities to join when sourcing new information on how to lead a better, more independent life in a cost-effective way.

Comfort

The goal of most all family members is to keep their elders comfortable in whatever capacity they choose. If someone wants to remain in their homes, but are wheelchair bound, or not able to get around as they once did, using all the tools technology has delivered to us to make this possible will help achieve this.

Those that are using wheelchairs will be enthralled to find that there are portable, lightweight options. The investment in a minivan, if not currently owned, and hitch lifts can be costly, and this might be an issue for some. It is entirely much easier to just get a chair that can be put in the trunk and be on the move, enjoying a full life.

The post Independence for All Thanks to Mobility Technology appeared first on Money $aving Michele.

Running a business requires a lot of responsibility. You must adhere to all laws and regulations, hire and manage employees, pay business taxes, and make decisions that keep you profitable. You can’t be expected to manage all these things on your own — nor should you attempt to do so. In most cases, hiring an expert to handle certain aspects of your business can help you to become successful. 

In particular, you should always hire a professional accountant to manage and file your business taxes. Len Stauffenger, ESQ, a highly respected attorney specialized in dealing with tax issues, explains some of the many reasons why you need to hire a tax professional for your business taxes:

You Don’t Know All the Deductions You Can Take

Deductions reduce the amount of taxes you ultimately have to pay, either by deducting the amount from your tax bill or deducting it from your taxable income. Depending on the type of business you operate and your actions, you could qualify for hundreds or even thousands of deductions. Unless you trained as a tax professional at some point, there’s no way that you can know all of the deductions that are available, and any deductions you don’t take are costing you money.

Deductions are available for certain business purchases, charitable donations, and more. By hiring a tax professional, you can be sure that you are taking every allowable deduction for your business and saving as much as you can. Depending on the size of your business, that could be a few hundred dollars in savings, or it could be millions. 

You Don’t Know All the Credits You Can Get

Tax credits are not the same as deductions. Instead of reducing the tax you owe or your taxable income, credits apply a positive amount to your tax obligation. For example, a $2,500 credit would take that amount off what you owe. If you paid in the money already through your estimated tax filings, you would get a $2,500 return. 

Credits are available for all kinds of things, including environmentally friendly business actions or purchases or even for hiring certain employees. When you work with a tax professional, you can learn what tax credits you can include on your current filing and get advice about actions you can take to qualify for additional credits in the future. 

You May Not Know Everything You Need to Report

If you are a small business owner, your knowledge of your tax obligations is likely lacking. Even people who have been in business for years can be making huge blunders because they have never consulted with a tax professional and they haven’t been caught for their mistakes by the IRS. There are many things you may not be reporting what you should, and that can cost you dearly, both in terms of the fines and penalties you will have to pay but also potentially in terms of criminal consequences.

A tax professional can ensure that you are reporting all income and other items that you are required to report. 

The Laws Change Quickly

The tax code is always being changed, and that affects both businesses and individuals. If even one law changes, it can change what you have to report, what deductions you can get, or what credits you can claim. Unless you spend a great deal of time studying politics and the tax code, you are unlikely to know when these laws change or how they impact you.

It is a tax professional’s job to know about all the changes in the law and how they impact your bottom line. When you hire a tax professional to do your business taxes, you ensure that you are always getting up-to-date advice about your tax obligations and your opportunities for deductions and credits.

Stay out of trouble and keep your tax obligation to a minimum by hiring a professional to handle your business taxes. You’ll also save a lot of time that you would have spent researching tax law and putting together your tax documents. Your time is money. By hiring a tax professional, you can spend more of your time on expanding your company and making it successful.

The post Why You Should Always Hire a Professional to Handle Your Business Taxes appeared first on Money $aving Michele.

Investing provides an amazing wealth of vehicles to reach financial goals. These vehicles exist whether your intentions are short-term, like building emergency funds, to saving long-term for retirement, and anything in-between.

There’s a saying: “The best time to invest was 20-years ago. The second best time is today.”

You’ll likely find yourself following several personalities and financial plans as you invest time and resources into learning personal finance. This educational process could include slow-and-steady methods like the ‘Snowball Effect‘ popularized by Dave Ramsey. Or, attempting a modern, hyper-aggressive method like FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early).

Any method is viable if you’re willing to learn the strategies and stay the course.

The trouble is: Where do I even start?

Let’s skip the basics (e.g. reasons to save) and dive right into the types of investments you may want to explore. 

Six Investment Vehicles to Explore for New Investors

There is no “best” investment strategy since you can never be quite sure what the future holds. 

But:

It’s almost unanimously agreed that time in the market is better than timing the market. Even right now, there are rumblings of a possible bubble and a recession — with many pulling out of the market and sitting on their cash. Others are charging forward like bulls, without flinching at what’s causing others to worry.

Diversification, as you’ve heard before, is key for whichever direction the market and the economy go.

Explore one (or all) of these investments strategies:

1. Currencies

Investing in currency involves hedging against inflation and attempting to arbitrage national economies. 

A common vehicle in this space is trading the US Dollar to the British Pound but there are many options once you look around. Check into the Best Foreign Currency Investments for 2018 to see current currency exchanges and opportunities.

2. Mutual Funds

Mutual Funds are a collection of other people’s money toward the common goal of financial growth. This lets participants tap larger investment pools, funneling investments outside the reach of a sole individual. 

The most common of these is through a 401k as it gives exposure to multiple sectors to provide stability and compounding returns. Look for mutual funds providing growth opportunities with low management fees for optimal returns.

3. Individual Stocks

Investments into individual stocks aren’t as scary as many lead you to believe. Combining market awareness and a few, basic stock valuation exercises can provide great income opportunities. 

Get your feet wet investing in broad index funds tracking the overall market. Then explore individual stocks from companies you know and understand. This creates excellent exposure to markets, industries, and businesses you believe are growing. 

Check with your preferred financial institutions for a brokerage/investment account. Fund your account and put time and resources in following the markets. 

4. Precious Metals

Like currencies, Gold, Silver, and other precious metals are a common buy & hold strategy. 

These investments are seen as recession-proof because they often hold value during an economic downturn. This, however, isn’t always the case if you’re unable to find buyers to offload your metals. But, there would be bigger problems going on if you couldn’t so please do further explore this option for diversification.

5. Cryptocurrencies

The hot, trending investment is cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrency is virtual money tied to a blockchain project. The biggest of these, Bitcoin, has grown tremendously over the past 5 or so years. Many call it “digital gold”. There are other cryptos like Ethereum, LiteCoin, and a dizzying amount of alt-coins like Ripple, Dash, and Cardano.

The crypto market is incredibly volatile with countless ICO scams, hacks, and pump/dumps. Those wanting to explore cryptos should stick to the top 10 traded coins as these have legitimate projects and adoption. 

6. REITs

Ever have an interest in flipping or investing in income/rental property? Didn’t want to take on the risks and headache of managing the property? If so, REITs are something you should likely explore. These are ‘real estate investment trusts’ comprised of different property sectors and holdings.

REITs are available through private/public investments and commonly found via stock tickers. REITs tend to grow during economic expansion and pay high dividends. 

The Earlier the Better. Start Today.

Just as a disclaimer, none of the information in this post is suggested investment advice. Do your own research. However, you do need to recognize the value of getting in sooner than later as this gives you more time to grow your portfolio. 

Compounding and tax-free earnings are a magical thing. Even a 5-year difference can have a substantial impact on your growth potential. Explore which option works best for you and invest what you’re comfortable with.

The post 401K, IRA, ETFs? Which Investment Strategy is Right for Me? appeared first on Money $aving Michele.

Do you have big city dreams?

Are your fantasies filled with the glitz of city life and all the new cultures, food, and events you’ll explore? Does your mind’s eye envision a life of cosmopolitan success and prestige?

We easily get so caught up in the dreams of life in the city that we forget about how leaving behind the hometown costs big bucks to pull off. Not to mention the cost-of-living is sure to go up with the new location. Yet these are not good enough reasons to squash our hopes of finding better opportunities elsewhere. It just takes some careful planning and consideration.

Here are the ways to make your move to a major metropolis more than just a pipe dream:

Less to Take, Less to Spend

The fewer items you drag along the better since you’ll spend less on moving help and transportation. Likewise, your new location may not call for many items you find commonplace (e.g. heavy winter coats in Florida). 

What can you do?

• Donate items you no longer want or need to a local charity
• Give away things to close friends, neighbors, and family
• Sell whatever you can on Craigslist, Letgo, or eBay
• Trash whatever doesn’t hold value to anyone

Sounds routine because it is!

Start early (given 1-2 months prior) and you’ll whittle your stuff down to the essentials. The money you get from selling items could go toward the moving expenses or hedged to pick up a few essentials once there.

Let Professionals Help

Consider the costs of doing the move on your own:

• Renting a truck, paying for gas, and mileage
• Taking time off to pack and move everything
• Putting yourself at risk on the open roads

Even if you could crunch the packing down to a few days that’s still days you missed at work. Then, a rental truck charging by the miles (almost $0.60/mile with some providers) becomes astronomical.

Try plugging your location/destination into the North American Van Lines website to see the cost difference. Then, factor the manpower for the heavy lifting. And, the time/money you’d save by driving your car or flying instead.

The service costs seem higher up-front because it’s in one invoice. But, it’s often comparable or better once you factor every little expense you’d have if DIYing.

Adjust Your Cost of Living

Big city, big expenses — that’s a given.

You’ll likely need to adjust your lifestyle and get real with finances when making a big shift from small town to a metropolitan area. There are several relocation tips you’ll want to remember — checking the average cost of living in this new area to what kind of taxes and service increases you can expect.

What are some ways to quickly adjust?

• Tap into free resources like the local libraries and city directories
• Use your network and connect through friends in this new place
• Consider downsizing your living space along with the stuff in it

City life has a little something for everyone making it enticing to get out and about. This could mean more eating out, events, and the like, but adjusting your lifestyle can factor those new expenses easily.

Assimilate with the Locals

Those first few days/weeks in a new place get costly because you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings. Plus, it’s easy to say “let’s order takeout” because you’ve been too busy adjusting and unpacking.

Try assimilating to the big city like a local instead of spending money for the convenience. Get out and meet people or read where they’re going. Join local clubs or do meetups to get the inside scoop of what’s good/what’s bad.

What are good ways to spend money once you get there?

• Small, weekend excursions to get the lay of the land
• A visit to local markets, thrift stores, and pop-up shops

The sooner you know the area, culture, and opportunities the sooner you can adjust your lifestyle and expenses. You’ll soon find cheaper options for food, furniture, transportation, and other regular expenses.

Do You Have Big City Dreams?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when moving great distances to live your dream of moving to the big city. But, with a bit of prep and smart financial sense, you’ll stay on budget and quickly adjust to your new surroundings.

Keep your head on straight, manage your money, and those starry-eyes will glimmer with everything your new place offers.

The post Starry-Eyes in the Big, New City: How to Assimilate Without Going Broke appeared first on Money $aving Michele.

Personal injury lawsuits are something we hear about and yet many people don’t understand what they are. Today we are exploring the definition and the process for a personal injury case.

It’s A Lot More Than You Think

A personal injury case is best defined as a case in which an individual was physically harmed and it is alleged to be the fault of another through negligence. This means that if you are hit by a drunk driver, slip on a wet floor in a store, or break your leg after falling off a trampoline at the neighbor’s house, you could have a personal injury claim.

There are also two types of cases. Informal cases are where you meet with legal teams from both sides to come to an agreement without the help of a judge. A formal case is when you go before a judge to argue each side and allow the judge to make a ruling on the case.

Let The Professionals Handle It

Let’s be honest here, any business or person is going to look out for their own best interests. That fast food joint is going to want to pay you a little bit (that may sound like a lot to you) to keep the case out of the courts. While informal cases are wonderful when all sides are being treated fairly, an attorney is going to make sure that it happens. They know the law and your rights and it is in your best interest to hire one.

The important thing to remember is that you must hire the lawyer in the area where the accident occurred. Personal injury law firms in New York can only assist you with incidences in New York. This is because lawyers must be licensed to practice in the state they practice in. If you were hit by the drunk driver in New Jersey, you will need a New Jersey personal injury lawyer.

The Process Matters

Not only does the case have a process, that process can mean everything to successfully winning your claim. Here is the average rundown of a personal injury case:

• Accident occurs
• You seek medical attention
• You consult an attorney
• The attorney investigates your claims and reviews medical records
• Make the choice to file an insurance claim or demand a settlement
• Lawsuit is filed if you demand a settlement
• Discovery- each side investigates claims and defenses of the other parties
• Mediation and/or arbitration with the other party
• Trial

This is typical if your court case goes to trial. It could end with an insurance claim or during mediation. It sounds simple enough but it can take a long time to finalize the entire ordeal. Between meetings and making court hearing dates, it is going to be a bit of time before you see a resolution.

It’s Not Inexpensive

The cost of a lawsuit is why a lot of people will try to do it themselves. Don’t make this mistake! Firstly, many personal injury lawyers won’t take your case unless they are sure they can win it. This means you won’t have to pay anything until there is settlement money. If the lawyer takes your case, you need to think about all of the court costs and the fee of the lawyer that you will need to account for. Regardless of the settlement money coming through (which doesn’t always happen as quickly as you’d like it to be), we encourage working legal fees into your household budget. You could dip into your emergency savings but just be sure to replenish that when you do see the settlement money.

Personal injury cases are quite frequent and popular in the legal system. When you understand the process and have the right people helping you, we are sure you will make the best decision for your situation.

The post Understanding What Personal Injury Is appeared first on Money $aving Michele.

Nothing ruins a beautiful summer day like an attack of insects. Whether it’s mosquitoes triggering a long night of swatting and scratching or a picnic overrun by ants, we always want to keep the creepy crawly critters away.

Our usual first reaction is to use repellents. Whether it’s a citronella candle to clear an area of mosquitoes or a quick spray of repellent to meet them right at the peak of their irritating behavior, it can be very effective to use some sort of product to keep bugs away from us.

In conjunction with repellents, insecticides can also be purchased over the counter for treating an entire area. These products help us to thin out the population a little and reduce the odds that we will fall victim to biting and stinging.

Many times, we can do pretty well with these two techniques. It doesn’t really seem to matter if there are bugs around as long as they stay off of us. 

The fact is that repellents just don’t always do enough. The best way to deal with bugs is to have a good repellent plan as well as utilize the best pest control sprays and treatments.

Repellents only work when you use them–and where you use them. That just makes sense, but it can be very easy to forget that not only do you need to use them while you and your family are spending time outside, you also need to provide protection to guests. When you have 20 little kids coming over for a birthday party with 30 parents, do you really want to spend the whole evening spraying everybody with insect repellent?

In addition, repellents only last so long before they must be reapplied. A long day of work in the yard will sweat the product away much faster, and it is much harder to reapply on sweaty, dirty skin. Throw in the need to use sunscreen as well and it gets even harder to get good coverage.

And of course, repellents are a real problem when you’re using that popular backyard fixture: the swimming pool. It’s tough enough to keep kids out of the water for sunscreen to dry. How will you rein them in long enough for repellent to dry…and be reapplied?

Repellent is a great solution for shorter periods of time, smaller numbers of people, and activities that don’t involve a lot of sweat and dirt. Beyond that, it’s time to think about knocking down the population of bugs so that the repellent isn’t so essential, and an exterminator can help you do that.

A good treatment by a qualified exterminator will reduce the impact of the Yard’s Most Wanted by helping with mosquitoes, ticks, and wasps. These lower populations will mean less havoc is wreaked on your family, and that your repellents should be able to keep the survivors at bay.

Another big advantage of using an exterminator is that you can have treatments made for the pests that bother our checkbooks instead of our skin. Getting a good exterminator to come in and treat for termites is the best way to reduce the chances that these home-destroying monsters will begin to devour your little castle from the inside out. The cost of replacing termite damage can be astronomical, so the exterminator is well worth it.

Bugs of all kinds aren’t called pests for nothing. They can make us miserable in our own backyards and do a lot of damage to our homes. Yes, it’s a great idea to control bugs yourself when you can, and of course you should make regular use of repellents when you’re outside for long periods. But the best control comes with a good plan to treat your home, your yard, and yourself.

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With credit card debt becoming an increasingly serious problem around the world, the average consumer is in more debt than ever but continues to possess more buying power than they should. People spend beyond their means and end up losing money they can’t pay back. As a result, more budget-conscious consumers have moved to a credit card-free lifestyle and the benefits have paid off.

Not only do you end up with way more spare change in your bank account due to a lack of interest fees, you also become more conscious of where your money goes and how you can save it. This way, you refrain from wasting it as you no longer have the option to simply give into temptation and pay the consequences later (which usually becomes never.)

Unfortunately, many people end up sticking to credit cards due to worries or a belief in one of the following misconceptions. Here’s why they aren’t true and how you can work around these issues.

Losing Your Cash To Thieves

Unless you’re walking around with money clips where your cufflinks are supposed to be, chances are that you won’t be the first target for robbery. It’s worth noting that your credit card can be stolen just as easily as your cash. It’s no less difficult to take from your person. Sure, there’s usually a minimum withdrawal limit or some sort of security measure in place, but the same applies to your cash in one way or another.

Make a habit of not taking all of your cash with you in one go; simply take what you need and a little more. Be sure that your insurance also covers allows you to claim theft, which is usually the case.

Travel Expenses

This namely applies to renting a hotel, car, or purchasing airline tickets. Many people believe they can only pay for these types of services with a credit card, which is completely false. The only gripe here is that the company you’re renting or making a purchase from may put a security hold for a small amount on your debit card, which is still better than wasting money you don’t have, so don’t stress it.

Inconvenience

The last and perhaps most common misconception is that managing your cash is more difficult and tedious than simply swiping your card. However, this isn’t true as you have to remember that with a credit card, you constantly have to ensure that you aren’t overspending, that your statements are in check, and that you know all your details.

With cash, all you need to do is organize and allocate every so often, which in the end will prove to be a lot easier and acts as a great opportunity for you to look at your finances.

Conclusion

Once you start using cash on a regular basis, you’ll likely end up paying off what you owe with your newfound money and scrapping your credit card for good. A cash-only lifestyle will prove to be much easier on the wallet and can provide an inheritance for your children as opposed to straight debt.

The post Three Misconceptions About Living A Cash-Only Lifestyle Explained appeared first on Money $aving Michele.