Beating Broke

Personal Finance from the Broke Perspective

Here’s How to Paint Your Home on a Budget This Spring!

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Spring has arrived, and it’s the perfect time to give your home a fresh wash. Thankfully, you don’t have to go broke trying to make your home look nice. Follow the tips in this article on how to paint your home on a budget this season. With a little planning and a decent amount of elbow grease, you can transform your home’s exterior in a way you never imagined.

Power Wash Your Home’s Exterior

The first step in the exterior painting process is to power wash all the surfaces completely. It’s important because it helps clean and remove dirt. The clean surface allows for a smooth and even paint application when you’re ready. Renting a power washer is fairly inexpensive. The cost will pay for itself by making your paint job look more professional.

Saving on Exterior Painting Services

Did you know that the average cost for exterior painting services is around $3,000? Don’t let that number scare you off. You can get friends and family to help, or you can just DIY the whole project and save money. In addition, before you panic, understand that there are other ways to lower the price, too.

Find the Best Deals

One of the easiest ways to save cash painting your residence is by hitting the pavement and shopping around for the best deals on products and materials. Look for sales and discounts at your local hardware store or online. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for advice from store employees. They will often recommend the best supplies for what project you’re doing and how much you want to spend.

Choose the Right Paint

While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest paint you can find, remember that you often get what you pay for with these kinds of things. Investing in a higher-quality paint will save you money because you won’t be touching it up in the same short time you would have to a lower-quality product. Painting the exterior of your home has the potential of getting you a 55% return on investment (ROI). So, spending a little more on quality paint is always the smarter choice financially.

Invest in the Proper Tools

It may cost a bit more upfront to purchase or rent high-quality brushes, rollers, and other supplies, but these tools are a crucial part of a good paint job. They’ll make the job easier and help you achieve a more professional-looking result. Plus, if you have well-maintained tools, you can reuse them for future projects.

Set a Realistic Timeline

Before you begin the process of painting your property, get a plan in place. In addition, set a realistic expectation for a timeline for completion. Think about factors like how big your house is, the predicted weather, and any other commitments that might get in the way. By setting a clear schedule, you can avoid costly mistakes or delays that could increase the cost of your project.

Don’t Forget About Prep Work

Prepping your home’s exterior surfaces before you start the painting work is essential if you want a successful finish. It may include things like scraping off old paint, caulking gaps, and filling in cracks or holes. By taking the time to prepare, you’ll help guarantee a smooth and even paint application and most likely save time, energy, and money on touch-ups later.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to painting your home on a budget this spring! Plan ahead, shop smart, and invest in the right tools and materials. If you do it right, you will transform your home’s exterior without emptying your wallet. Remember, it’s not just about saving money. You should also be able to take pride in your home and increase its value. With a fresh coat of paint, your home will look completely renewed, and you’ll fall in love with it all over again!

 

6 Tips for Surviving Your 20s When You’re Broke

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Hello, fellow broke 20-somethings! Are you sick of living on instant noodles and dreaming of the day you can afford avocado toast or a five-star meal? Well, worry not. This piece gives you some tips on how to get through your 20s without going bankrupt. So get your piggy bank, and let’s dive in!

1. Have a Budget

A budget may seem obvious, but making one is the best way to manage your money after going broke. Find out how much money you receive each month and where it needs to go. Ensure you have enough for basic needs like rent, utilities, and food before spending on anything else.

Once you have a budget, check your spending carefully to see where to cut back. For example, do you truly require that subscription service to a streaming app you rarely use? Canceling unnecessary expenses can save you a lot of money over time.

2. Give Your Savings Accounts Fun Names

Instead of having a savings account that says ‘Savings Account #100’ when you log in to your bank account, you might want to change the name to something more specific. Maybe it could say, ‘I’m quitting my job in January 2024’ or ‘Going to Maldives in May 2024.’ The more specific you are, the less likely you are to keep taking a little money off the top every time your checking account gets a little low.

3. Be Mindful of Expensive Cosmetic Procedures

Before deciding to get a cosmetic procedure, it’s essential to do your research and fully understand the costs. Don’t just rely on what the plastic surgeon or clinic tells you. Research online and talk to people with similar procedures to understand the possible costs.

Research shows that about 11.36 million plastic surgery procedures were done worldwide in 2019. It indicates that more people know these procedures, so shop around for financing options that are more accessible. Getting caught up in wanting to look better is easy, but remember, stay moderate and spend what you can afford.

4. Avoid Unscrupulous Deals

You might fall victim to embezzlement if you work a white-collar job. Embezzlement is one type of white-collar crime. In this crime, a person mishandles money they are in charge of and uses it in a way that is not allowed. It’s wise to implement solid financial controls like performing regular audits or reviewing financial records to avoid the devastation of embezzlement. Promote a culture of transparency and accountability and save yourself from going broke

5. Be Responsible and Invest in Yourself

A survey says drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 are most likely to be drunk behind the wheel. However, you don’t have to be among them. Choose a responsible life and avoid situations that could lead to such an occurrence. Instead, focus on investing in yourself, like improving your skills or getting an education or training that will help you earn more.

6. Have an Insurance Cover

Insurance can keep you from going bankrupt in your 20s by protecting you from sudden financial losses caused by accidents or things you can’t control. For instance, if you suffer from a severe illness or injury, health insurance can assist in paying your hospital bills. You might have to pay these expenses out of cash if you don’t have health insurance, which can be costly and cause financial strain.

Being optimistic and focused on your goals will help you get through the rough financial times that often plague your 20s. Set yourself up for long-term financial success. Remember, you can make the most of your situation and set yourself up for long-term success with the right attitude and good money habits.

4 Tips to Help You Avoid Bankruptcy

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If you’re feeling swamped by debt and money problems, you might consider bankruptcy as a solution. After all, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can get your debts discharged in 90 days. This is a very tempting solution that works for some people. However, it has major consequences, so you’ll want to avoid bankruptcy if at all possible. Here are some tips to help you avoid bankruptcy.

1. Keep Track of Your Spending

You need to have a budget. If you have an incomplete budget now, it is time to tighten it up and make sure it includes everything you’re buying. If you don’t keep track of your spending, you’ll end up spending a lot more money than you anticipated without realizing it. This might lead to you taking on debt in order to cover the remaining bills. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can discharge debt like credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and overpayment. But it comes at the cost of your credit and has a lot of consequences. If you track your spending carefully, you’ll be able to tell where all of your money is going. It will also let you find the holes and plug them up, preventing you from wasting money.

2. Don’t Overspend

Even if you know where your money is going, spending too much of it will still put you at risk of bankruptcy. Don’t overspend on purchases, both large and small. Instead, learn how to research prices and find different savings opportunities. You might be able to find a cheaper alternative to the item you’re looking at. Or you can get it on sale during certain times of the year. When you avoid overspending, you can also avoid taking on debt since you’ll be working within your income. So be conscious of prices when you’re buying and look for ways to bring those prices down.

3. Work With Your Creditors

If you’re overwhelmed by your debt, there may be ways to make it easier without bankruptcy. Lenders are often willing to work with you if you explain what is going on. Call your credit card company and tell them if you’re struggling to make your payments. While they won’t cancel the balance, you might be able to get a lower interest rate or avoid a penalty for late payment. These companies don’t want you to get in trouble with your debt. They’d rather work with you to find a way in which you can still pay them and avoid bankruptcy. In 2016, there was an increase from 24,797 companies in bankruptcy in the first quarter of the year to 25,227 in the second quarter. If you work with your creditors, you may be able to avoid being part of this.

4. Consolidate Your Debt

Often, you have debt coming from all different sources. You may have credit cards, auto loans, medical bills, or other loans you’ve taken out and can no longer pay. One way to make these manageable is by consolidating your loans. In this case, you’ll take out another loan and use it to pay off all of your debts. Then you’ll only have one bill to pay, with only one interest rate. This can make your payments much smaller each month, giving you a chance to get back on your feet.

While bankruptcy is a solution to financial troubles, it can be a difficult one. You want to find ways to avoid it if at all possible. If you’re struggling with debt, consider applying these solutions to your problems first. By figuring out your financial situation and looking for assistance, you will have a better chance of getting back on your feet without filing for bankruptcy.