Creative Ways to Save Money in Your Garden

Posted on by Mandy

Having a garden does not have to be expensive. Many people laugh that is it the most expensive and time consuming way to save a few dollars but it can be affordable and rewarding with a little time and planning. Help your garden thrive this year with these creative ways to save money in your garden.

Creative Ways to Save Money in Your Garden

save money in your garden

 

When it comes to great ways to save money in your garden planning, food scraps can be a huge help. Plant the tips of potatoes that have sprouted instead of throwing them away. Leftover tomato slices containing seeds are perfect for planting in the ground for more tomatoes. The base of your plant can be re-grown after sitting in water until it roots.

Trade seeds, thinnings, and plant cuttings with friends and family to save money. This is a great way for everyone to benefit and a day of plant swapping can be a fun reason to get together for a potluck. For items, you do need to buy, shop together with friends and family to get better deals buying garden supplies in bulk. This is a great way to save on soil and mushroom compost.

Look for free options to mulch your yard. Leftover newspapers make a great barrier.  Grass clippings are good for creating a thick layer of mulch for free. Call your local power company and ask what they do with wood chips from tripping trees along the easements. Often they will drop these loads off at your house for free to save them money on disposal.

Use gray water from your kitchen, washer, and other non-chemical uses around the house to water your garden. Water can really add up as an expense for your garden. By adding thick mulch you trap water in the soil, stopping it from evaporating before your plants can soak it up. If collecting rainwater is legal in your area rain barrels are a great option for saving money in your garden.

Scan your local buy, sell, trade sites online for freebies you can use in your garden. This is a great place to find paving stones, supplies to build your own garden beds, and even plants and trees. Most of these freebies mean digging and hauling these items yourself but the payoff is well worth the labor.

Raid the clearance section at your local super store. Often places like Wal-Mart neglect plants and end up putting them on clearance. These plants can often be saved with some compost, water, and time from a loving gardener. In the fall you will find plenty of trees and other plants that will survive and grow after the winter on sale. Grab these and plant them with plenty of time before the first frost sets so they can settle in. Next year they will be ready to go.

Looking for an easy to grow a garden that does not take a lot of work to keep up? Choosing to grow plants native to your area helps rebuild the destroyed ecosystem and allows your garden to take less work than growing plants from other climates.

3 Ways to Make Money from Junk You No Longer Use

Posted on by Mandy

If you’re looking to earn a little extra cash, you might consider looking around your home for things you no longer use that might still have some life and value left in them. Are there clothes you’ll never wear again or exercise equipment you bought that is collecting dust in the corner? What if you gathered all this junk you will never use again and sold it for some extra cash?

Here are three ways to make money from junk you no longer use:

3 Ways to Make Money from Junk You No Longer Use

ways to make money

 

1. Sell it online – From eBay to Craigslist and everything in between, there are many places to sell your old junk online these days. In fact, even Facebook has sales groups to make it easier than ever before to sell your stuff right there on Facebook. Gather up the stuff you don’t want, take some good pictures, and start selling.  You might be surprised at how fast you have no problem selling your old stuff!  Price your items to sell and don’t get too sentimental about how much you originally paid for it.  Buyers are looking for a bargain and asking a fair price will get your stuff sold much quicker than setting the price real high.

2. Have a yard sale/ garage sale – This is a classic. If it’s bad weather, you might even decide to do it indoors or look for an indoor flea market to sell your junk.  This will probably be the most work-intensive of the three options, but if you enjoy this sort of thing, it’s a great way to sell your stuff when you have lots of stuff to sell at once.

3. Pawn shops/ consignment shops – Depending on where you live and the type of junk you’re trying to get rid of, you might also be able to sell it at pawn shops or consignment shops and earn some extra cash.  Most consignment stores will take a percentage of the sell price for selling for you, and most pawn shops won’t give you your top asking price, but if you aren’t sentimental about your junk and just want it off your hands, letting someone else handle the details can be a lot less stressful.

With these ideas, you can both get rid of the junk you no longer use and also put some extra cash in your pocket in the process.

5 Ways to Boost Your Writing Skills

Posted on by Mandy

Sure you can sit down and write a great blog post, the content comes naturally and you are able to compile sentences together to get your point across.

That is the easy part.

What is difficult is working to be better at writing with each blog post, article, or book. What are some ways you can work to grow in your writing career? Today we are going to discuss 5 ways to boost your writing skills so that you can work towards creating that magnificent content that goes viral.

5 Ways to Boost Your Writing Skills

writing skills

 

Practice Skills – essentially you want to test yourself on a regular basis, be motivated just enough to push yourself beyond what comes immediately to your mind. Start by writing your content as you normally would, go back to read the article and spruce it up with some controversial questions that appear in your mind as you read this content. Don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and work some of those creative questions, thoughts, or feelings into your article.

Become a Habitual Offender – designate a specific time of day where you will write nothing but content, set a timer, and only write during that allotted timeframe. The best way to boost your writing skills is to know when your creative mind as at full throttle, for some it’s first thing in the morning and for others it’s at the end of the day. Work to write articles during the best suited time of day, every single day and watch as you naturally boost your writing skills.

Find Your Muse – every writer needs a good muse, it is said that the best writers in the world had something that inspired them to write. Be it your relationship, a friend, or an inanimate object, find your muse and use it to boost those writing skills. A person who has a muse, someone or something that encourages their creative side to come out, will be far more likely to write amazing content than someone who is forcing themselves to write. A muse helps with passion behind the written word.

Read Often – reading online content, books and newspapers will ultimately help boost your writing skills for many reasons. When you read often, you are subconsciously developing better grammar skills, enhancing your vocabulary and learning good writing techniques. If you can learn to love reading and do it often, your writing skills will get better each day you put your fingers to the keyboard.

Dissect Articles – if you have a certain book or blog that you enjoy reading on a regular basis, start dissected their work as a means to determine what pulls you in to read their content on a regular basis. You want that skill, the one that keeps readers coming back to your articles, that skill that makes others leave positive comments on how amazing your writing is.

There are many ways people boost their writing skills, the reality is that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to enhance your skills. Each day work to implement those strategies listed above so that you can look in the rear view mirror and say, “wow, look how far my writing has come!”

Worst Things to Buy at the Dollar Store

Posted on by Mandy

Yes, there are scads of great bargains at the Dollar Store.  If you’re trying to be frugal, a bargain is a bargain, right?  On the other hand, there are several products you should probably cross off your list. Here are a few of them to consider and why some of these are the worst things to buy at the dollar store.

Worst Things to Buy at the Dollar Store

worst things to buy at the dollar store

Canned Goods

Many dollar store canned goods are priced at $1. No surprise, right? But, while this may seem like a great deal, you may not actually save any money at all. Often times, it’s easy to find the same products for sale at the grocery store for less than a dollar. Not only that, you usually have access to better-tasting brands and a bigger selection of food items to choose from.  Many store brands are just as comparable to name brands and are often only 50 to 60 cents in a grocery store.  This is a significant savings from the dollar store!

Batteries

This chain is known to stock lesser-known brands of batteries at bargain prices. But, these cheap batteries also tend to be low-quality. More times than not, these batteries are dead within a few days of buying them, especially if you use them in a device that takes a lot of power to operate. Spending the extra money for name-brand batteries that last longer ends up saving you quite a bit of cash.

Tools

Tools are one thing that really take a beating when you use them. Because of this, it’s important to buy tools that are well-made and built to last. If you settle for dollar store tools, you’re much more likely to break something in the middle of a project.

Big box or hardware stores are the best place to shop for new tools. Not only do these merchants carry a great selection of products to choose from, the majority of these items come complete with a warranty of some sort.

Toys

Dollar stores typically stock a wide variety of toys. However, many of these same toys are rather low quality. This means they may break easily and even present a safety hazard. Honestly, you’re generally better off staying away from these cheap toys and making your purchase elsewhere.

Armed with this information, there’s no need to worry as much about wasting money on sub-standard merchandise. Shop for fantastic buys on things like party supplies, seasonal decorations and dishware instead.

Significant Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Posted on by Mandy

There are many benefits of quitting smoking. We all know that smoking cigarettes isn’t good for your health. Unfortunately, past generations learned the hard way. In the past, you could see your favorite television host with a cigarette in their hand. You could open a popular magazine and see an ad depicting people smoking and having a great time. Cigarette smoking was even allowed in hospitals. But not nowadays. This generation is lucky enough to have anti-smoking advertising all around showing the negative effects of smoking. In parts of the country, smoking has been banned in restaurants and even public parks. Even with all we know about the health risks of smoking, there are still people that smoke. But, it’s not too late to quit.

 

Significant Benefits of Quitting Smoking

benefits of quitting smoking

Health benefits

There are many different health benefits of quitting smoking. Some happen within minutes and some happen over time. Quitting smoking causes the oxygen in your blood to go back to normal levels. Carbon monoxide levels decrease. Your heart rate and blood pressure both lower and go back to normal. Quitting smoking also lower risks of diseases including lung disease and other types of cancer, emphysema, COPD, and stroke.

Save Money

Quitting smoking can save you money. Imagine how much you can save! How many packs do you smoke a week? Calculate the amount you spend in a week. Now, multiply that by 52 and see how much money you spend on cigarettes a year.  Even if you only smoke a pack a day, the savings are a little over $1800 a year!   You’ll also save money on future medical care if you end up with a smoking related illness. When you quit smoking, save that money and treat yourself to something special.

Make a loved one happy

If you have close people in your life who don’t smoke, they may bother you about stopping from time to time. Just keep in mind that they aren’t trying to nag or annoy you. They mean well. People know the bad health effects of smoking and don’t want to see someone they love deal with that. If you have a spouse or kids, the happiness and relief that they will feel once you quit will be immeasurable.

What it comes down to is you. First, you need to want to quit.  When you are ready, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the options you have. Quitting smoking is a tough thing to do, especially if you have smoked for a long time, but the benefits of quitting smoking far outweigh the risks. Good luck!

local library save you money

How Your Local Library Can Save You Hundreds Of Dollars A Year

Posted on by Mandy

Gone are the days when the image of a library is of an older librarian hushing everyone in sight. Today, the library is known as the place to go for family events, free yoga, and DVD rentals. The local library for many people, especially those that live in large cities, has proven to be a way to save money. Can’t believe it? Believe it!

How Your Local Library Can Save You Hundreds Of Dollars A Year

local library

Fitness Programs– Forget your pricey gym membership. Your local library now gives you access to workout videos, nutrition books, and it even offers classes for different ages. Do you love yoga, but need an instructor? Many libraries offer evening yoga classes once a week in certain branches for adults. But libraries care about the kids too. Check out your library’s event pages online, see when they have meet-ups for yoga for mommy and me, or for school-age kids.

If your library loves to try new things, they may have monthly rotations for different workout programs each month, such as tai chi.

Cooking/Nutrition Classes– In the month of January, most libraries like to focus on health. This is the perfect time to snag a seat at a weekly nutrition class as well as a cooking class. You’ll have access to speak with a nutritionist for free, who can help guide you on your path to wellness.

Entertainment– How much do you spend now when you take your family out for one night’s worth of entertainment? Get your calendar ready, because it can easily get filled with the many events libraries hold at different branches in your city.  You can be certain to catch family-friendly performances, concerts, movie nights, and community events at your local library; where many times if they have land attached, they take the event outside.

Free Internet– If you need to go online sporadically to pay a bill or reply to an email, the library is an excellent way to get onto the internet. You can even bring your own laptop and sign in to their WiFi.

Free DVD Rentals– Drop the cable and borrow movies from the library. They’re not all outdated, people donate new ones all the time. Plus, if you download the app from the library you should be able to borrow movies to watch on your device. They also have seasons, so watch out Netflix!

Free Book Rentals– Well, this was obvious. But did you know, you can usually find college textbooks or books for certifications at your local library? Keep renewing them and you’ll hopefully make it a whole semester without having to purchase an expensive college book! Remember, if your local branch does not have a certain book, they can usually request it from another library for you to borrow.

Tutoring– Whether your child needs help with homework, or needs help with studying for the SATs, most libraries have appointed days for helping your child thrive academically with the guide of a tutor.

Libraries also have events where they teach anyone how to use certain programs on the computer, such as Microsoft. They also offer how to start your own small business courses, resume building shops, and even parenting classes!

Summer Programs– Keeping your kids busy in the summer can seem like a full-time job, on top of a money drainer. Your local library has weekly (or more, hop on over to different branches) reading programs. The weekly reading programs are filled with fun. A volunteer reads about 2-3 books, and then after there’s a craft, snacks, and free time to play with Legos or whatever they bring out.  Most libraries offer incentives for families to attend summer programs, such as raffles to win bikes, or tickets to free bowling.

In the summer, there are also different programs for older kids. Programs such as peaceful PRG (role-playing -think Minecraft), science programs, Lego programs, and even programs for cooking classes. The two words you should not hear from your child this summer is “I’m bored.”

Still not convinced your local library can save you hundreds of dollars a year? What if I told you, some libraries are beginning to lend out unconventional items? Items such as tools and fishing poles? On top of that, every so often, they give out passes to your local museums! Being active in your local library is an amazing way to stay involved in your community, enrich your mind, and save hundreds of dollars a year.

How to Bless a Single Mom on Mother’s Day

Posted on by Mandy

Parenthood is said to be one of the hardest jobs in life. Naturally, being single takes more out of mom, especially when she might not have much of a support system. Truth is, calling motherhood a ‘job’ is a bit of disservice because being a single mother is a blessing, but it does come with a few difficulties. Those little hiccups can lead to a few stresses, so blessing a single mom on Mother’s Day would be great.

single mom on mother's day

Wellness Gift Card

Single moms have a lot on their plate! This is the reason why a spa gift card might be the perfect gift. These types of gift cards are usually accepted at different wellness centers where a mother can enjoy things like massages or facials. Bonus points if you can offer childcare as well so that your single mom friends doesn’t have to lift a finger to arrange her spa day.

Coffee Gift Basket

coffee gift basket

We all need energy to get everything done – this is definitely the case for single moms who have to ‘do it all.’ Now, there may be a few ways to boost energy levels, but one simple way to do this is with coffee. This is why a gourmet coffee gift basket would be a perfect gift for Mother’s Day. It gives your friend or family member a chance to try coffee that’s a little more special, while providing her with enough energy to get through the day.

Beautiful Earrings

Boho Raw Crystal Gemstone Birthstone Aquamarine Stud Earring Jewelry

Most single moms will appreciate beautiful jewelry. Now, it is important to remember that moms may want to stay away from hoop earrings or any other type of earring that can be yanked. Kids can be careless, and hoop earrings can lead to unnecessary accidents. You should try to stick to studs or dot earrings. One great gift idea are these handcrafted boho raw gemstone aquamarine earrings.

Casual T-Shirt

There are times when the best gift is just a simple t-shirt with a few words of wisdom that says that being a single mom is a superpower. This gift can be worn anytime; it is a lighthearted shirt, and it is the kind of gift that can make anyone smile. Plus, it is a pretty empowering t-shirt, too.

A Streaming Gift

Gift Card Design

Single moms deserve a break on their busy days or at least a way to entertain their kids while they are busy doing something else. This is where a good streaming service gift card could come in handy. Your friend or family member can see the programming she wants to see on a smart device at any time. Keep in mind that the variety of kid-friendly and mommy-friendly shows on some of these streaming services are extensive, so there is no way to go wrong with this kind gift.

These are just a few options, and hopefully some fit the bill, but there are many options out there. All you have to do is think about your friend or family member and imagine what she might enjoy. Gifting a single mom on Mother’s Day with a nanny service could work, too.

Learn how to start a blog the right way and avoid common mistakes that new bloggers often make when starting a new blog from scratch.

How to Start a Blog: Blogging Basics to Know To Be Profitable

Posted on by Mandy

If you are looking for some help in the area of how to start a blog, you have come to the right place. This article is meant to help you get started on the right foot with blogging. One wrong move, in the beginning, can set you up to have to backtrack later. Let’s get started.

How to Start a Blog:  Blogging Basics to Know

Learn how to start a blog the right way and avoid common mistakes that new bloggers often make when starting a new blog from scratch.

 

Figure out What you Will Blog About

The first step to any business is to determine your goals, mission, and dreams.  This holds true with how to start a blog. Start your blogging venture by figuring out what you will blog about. Tip: choose a topic that you have loads of experience in so you never run out of content ideas.  This is often why most bloggers quit blogging…they choose a topic that they eventually run out of material for writing about.

Pick your Domain Name

Once you have figured out what you will blog about, now you must determine what your domain name will be. A great place to buy your domain name from is Go Daddy.  This where I personally buy all of the domain names I need.  They make it so easy and their customer service is top-notch.  Do your research, be clever and remember the key to more people visiting is to keep it short and simple. Tip: Search for available domains and don’t get discouraged, this process can be tedious.  Check out the blog name you want to use on all social media channels.  See if it is available before you lock into your domain name.

Purchase Hosting & Setup WordPress

This is part of the “do it right the first time” mentality.   Find an affordable WordPress hosting account and then work to install WordPress on your domain name. Tip: there are many hosting companies, don’t be afraid to start with a lower cost one and move to a larger one later.

Choose a Theme

Next up in the business of how to start a blog will be that you need to choose a theme.  There are many free WordPress themes to choose from. While you may want your blog to be pretty with lots of extras, keep it as simple as possible so as to not confuse the search engine robots. Tip: less is more when it comes to choosing a blog theme.   The Genesis Framework is absolutely a must for when you are ready to invest in your blog and install a professional-looking design.

Brunch: A Genesis Child Theme for Food & Lifestyle Bloggers

Logo

While it’s all great to have a logo designed if you are looking to spend less money upfront, this is the area you can invest in later on or hire someone from Fiverr to make you a decent logo. A logo or header for your blog is important, so ask around to see who makes logos. Tip: try to make your blog match your theme if at all possible for branding.

Social Media

Now that your blog is all ready to go, you need to get your blog name on all social media platforms. Check out Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and any other platform you want to promote your blog on.  Register the exact same name as your domain name. Tip: if your exact domain isn’t available, you can message the person to see if they will release it to you.

Now that you have your blogging basics completed on setting up your blog and grabbing your brand on social media platforms, it’s time to start thinking about content. Determine how often you will blog, what your topics will consist of and how you will work to ensure the content is delivered.   For example, use FeedBurner to set up an RSS feed that users can subscribe to.

These blogging basics on how to start a blog should lead you in the right direction to becoming a professional blogger in no time!  Read up on blogging with these helpful books for even more great tips on how to start a blog.