Beating Broke

Personal Finance from the Broke Perspective

4 Tips to Help You Afford Child Care

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When it comes to child care, the services can be expensive. Unfortunately, it’s not an area where you can afford to cut corners. Nothing comes before your child’s well-being, but that doesn’t stop you from needing to work or attend school. Fortunately, if you’re looking for ways to lower the cost, there are some options available.

1. Finding a Care Option that Meets Your Finances

Supporting your family is a huge responsibility. Most of the time, working hours are longer than school hours, meaning there will be times when your child needs to be cared for until they’re old enough to be home on their own.

You may need child care in the morning and after work. If your child is school-age, then you have the option of an early drop-off. Some daycare centers offer deals, especially if you’re dropping off more than one child. College students studying early childhood development look for jobs as nannies. If you can set aside the budget, your child will get the personalized attention they need.

2. Registering for After School Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities

Schools often offer after-school programs, where your child can spend a few hours while you finish work for the day. As your child will already be in an academic setting, it is also an excellent time for them to get their homework done so that you can enjoy your evening together when you get home.

As well as general after-school programs, there are extracurricular activities. Joining a club, starting a sport, or embracing a creative field is excellent for overall child development while giving them a hobby and helping them gain much-needed confidence.

3. Accepting Help from Loved Ones

If after-school programs or extracurricular activities are unrealistic for your situation, it may be time to turn to loved ones for support. It’s very common for family members to step in when necessary. 81% of all guardians are family members, so there’s no reason to feel guilty or embarrassed over the situation. Asking for help is never comfortable, but you probably have friends or family members that would happily watch your child. Think of people in your life with children of a similar age to your own, especially if they’re already close to your kid. After all, if they had to choose between being around people they don’t know well or spending a few hours with their cousins or friends, it’s pretty apparent which they’d pick.

Whoever you choose to look after your child while you’re at work should know if you’ll likely be home late. Your commute will probably mean sitting in traffic for a while as the roads become flooded with other people driving to school and work. All of the vehicles in America collectively travel trillions of miles every month, and while you’re rushing to pick up your child, it can feel like all those cars are on the road at once.

4. Considering Child Care for Special Events

Sometimes you only need child care for a night or a few days for an event like a wedding. Unfortunately, most weddings will happen when kids are out of school for the summer, as only 5% of weddings occur in the winter. If you cannot bring your child to the event, consider hiring a babysitter or getting a family member to stay in the hotel room.

Being able to afford child care can feel impossible, but if you’re mindful of the options available and plan, you’ll be able to plan your finances around having someone you trust to watch your child. Additionally, you can help them devote the time they’re not with you to their overall development by having them join an after-school program or extracurricular activity or leaving them with a nanny or family member that can give them personalized attention.

How to Find the Right Car That Won’t Break Your Budget

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Are you on the hunt for the perfect car? Before you start, it’s important to know your budget. If you start looking without a spending limit in mind, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and even anxious looking at all the market options. As soon as you put yourself in a price range, you can lower the number of cars you have to look at, instantly making the process easier. After that, there are other aspects to consider, like fuel efficiency, different types of vehicles, the features you want, and what you’ll be most comfortable in. Take a look at some of the specifics before heading out to begin your vehicle shopping experience!

Consider Fuel Efficiency

One way to ensure your new car won’t strain your bank account is by choosing one that’s fuel-efficient. According to Consumer Reports, a hybrid car will save you around $500 per year in fuel costs compared to one powered by gasoline. With increasing fuel prices, selecting a car with better efficiency is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Moreover, hybrid vehicles usually have a longer life expectancy. So, you won’t be back on the market looking for another car right away.

Explore Electric Vehicle Options

The popularity of electric vehicles or EVs has definitely increased in recent years. According to Policy Advice, there are over 5.6 million electric vehicles around the world. These cars offer many benefits, including reduced emissions and operating costs. Furthermore, many governments give incentives for purchasing EVs, which will lower your initial cost. If your situation allows for it, consider investing in an electric vehicle to save money on fuel and maintenance.

Think About Safety Features

While finding a car that fits your budget is important, you should never compromise on safety. For example, larger trucks are involved in less than 4% of all accidents. Look for vehicles with good crash test ratings and advanced features like blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Spending money on a car with these added bonuses helps you avoid getting into unexpected accidents, which can get rather expensive.

Assess Your Needs

When searching for a car that won’t break the bank, it’s important to solidify what features are a must for you. First, consider the vehicle’s main purpose. Are you going to be commuting to work, taking it on family outings, or exploring on weekend road trips? Then, list the features you need and those you can probably live without.

For example, prioritize fuel efficiency and a comfortable interior if you have a long drive to and from work. On the other hand, if you need a car for family trips, focus on the above-mentioned safety features and lots of storage space. Knowing what you need, you’ll be better equipped to find one that meets your requirements.

Shop Around and Compare Prices

Once you clearly understand how much money you can spend and the features you’re expecting, it’s time to start shopping! Visit several dealerships, go out for test drives, and compare prices. Additionally, research online to find the best deals and see if there are any promotions available. Finally, don’t hesitate to negotiate with dealerships and ask for a better price. Many will haggle with you and you can end up saving thousands.

Buying a new car is supposed to be an exciting experience. So, don’t let the stress of getting the perfect one keep you from enjoying it. The best way to do that is by preparing ahead of time. Know your budget, understand what you’re looking for and what you want, and take into consideration the costs you may incur down the road. In the end, just make sure that you’re comfortable with your new ride and that you can afford it. Then, happy cruising!

These Budget-Friendly DIY Ideas Will Transform Your Master Bathroom

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Your master bathroom should be one of the most luxurious parts of your home. It’s where you go to prepare for your day in the morning and where you unwind at night. However, bathrooms become dated over time, and renovations can be very costly. Fortunately, there are many budget-friendly ways to transform your space.

Transforming Your Space with a Cost-Saving Strategy

If you’re sick of your bathroom, you are certainly not alone. According to Statista, in 2020, 33% of homeowners who renovated their master bathroom did so because they couldn’t stand the way it looked anymore. You might have installed a brand new bathtub or shower, and at the time, you couldn’t wait to bathe, but now it shows signs of wear and tear.

Trends come and go, and what looked stylish 10 years ago will seem dated today. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take inspiration from modern features and current color schemes, but consider that you’re about to devote a lot of time to creating your dream space.

Classic Versus Trendy

A common mistake people make is not separating classic versus trendy styles. Categorize the features in your bathroom that you know are popular right now and the ones you’ve seen in houses throughout the years. If you’re worried about your budget, the more classic styles you follow, the fewer long-term maintenance costs you’ll have.

Create a Blueprint

Before you begin, put a plan in place. It might sound obvious, but once you start building the room, overdoing the space might be tempting. Since you’re on a budget, you’ll need to get creative. Take some time to look at pictures, even if they’re of bathrooms that you could never afford to install as they are, and use that as inspiration for your blueprint.

Start with the basics. If you want to create a more peaceful room, then your instinct might be to pick a color scheme and paint the walls. Now, choosing the right shade will certainly optimize your space, but choosing the right lighting is crucial.

Choosing the Right Lighting

Bright lights can be too strong, and dim lights can be depressing. Overhead ambient lighting should be between 4,000-8,000 lumens. If you’re worried about it being too bright, consider adding a dimmer to tone it down. The lighting around your mirror should be at least 1,700 lumens. You can get creative when you pick the actual light fixtures; they don’t have to be expensive. Many of your local hardware stores will have economical options and a plethora of places to find what you’re looking for online.

Wall and Cabinet Color Schemes

People often use colorful paint on their walls and neutrals for their cabinets. Soft colors like lavender, light yellow, or sky blue will make the room more tranquil. Using a color like navy blue, a dark accent wall can also make it feel bigger. Think about the shades that make you feel the most peaceful, and swatch the walls before you begin, as sometimes the color looks different in the can.

According to a survey, almost 33% of homeowners prefer white finishes for their bathroom cabinets. It gives them a fresh and clean look and guarantees that they will match no matter what color you paint your walls. Even better, white paint costs a lot less than brand-new cabinets.

Decorative Pieces and Keeping Your Space Manageable

Choose some decorative pieces that enhance the space but keep it manageable. There’s a fine line between the two, but you don’t want to go to all this effort for the room to be cluttered. Choose some accent towels, a picture or two for the walls, and some candles.

Home renovations are expensive, but being on a budget shouldn’t stop you from creating your dream space. With some creativity and research, you’ll have a tranquil and inviting bathroom while expressing your style.