Search Results for: budget

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

April 14, 2023 By Erin H Leave a Comment

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!

Can You Have Two Car Loans At Once?

These Budget-Friendly DIY Ideas Will Transform Your Master Bathroom

April 10, 2023 By Erin H Leave a Comment

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.

4 Tips for Cleaning Your Home on a Budget

February 21, 2023 By Erin H Leave a Comment

It’s essential to clean your home. This is because it’s one of the things that can help you to keep it comfortable and safe. While maintaining a pristine home under various circumstances may cost a lot of money, you could cut these costs if you try. Please have a look at the four tips below that stand to help you clean your home on a budget. They will also help you to enjoy a space that feels every bit as fresh and unique as it looks.

1. Invest in Quality Cleaning Supplies

The first thing that you need to do is to invest in quality cleaning supplies. Get your cleaning supplies from a janitorial supply store or a local hardware shop to have an easier time. They’ll have much better quality items in stock that you won’t keep breaking. Buying flimsy, cheap supplies several times will likely cost you a considerably higher amount of money than you’d have to spend on getting quality items once. When you get the supplies you need, remember to clean your entire house and the various elements as often as they need to be cleaned. For instance, manufacturers suggest you clean heat exchangers at least once every five years.

2. Shop Around for the Right Cleaning Service

When you need to pay for a cleaning service to get your home in better shape, it’s a good idea to shop around for one. This is because various cleaning services will have different pricing options. They may also offer differing cleaning solutions, so it’s best to find a company that can give you the specific service you need. While shopping around, you may be interested to learn that many cleaning services, according to Thimble, cost $100 to $150 for each job that they do. This should give you a good idea of the costs that you’re likely to encounter. This way, you’ll not be likely to get overcharged and should be on high alert if a cleaning service asks for a lot less.

3. Clean Regularly

If you want to lower your expenses on cleaning your home, it’s best to clean often. Doing this can help you keep the amount of cleaning needed each time to a minimum. You’ll also spend less time cleaning your home to get more done quickly. While doing this, ensure to dispose of waste safely and responsibly, recycling and composting as necessary. Paper is one of the most recycled materials, according to Reader’s Digest. This means that you can live more sustainably if you clean frequently and eliminate waste correctly.

4. Declutter Religiously

Last but not least, you should declutter your home regularly for the best outcome. Doing this will make it easier to clean and keep your home tidy. To have an easier time once you declutter and get rid of everything you don’t use, ensure that everything has its spot in the house. You could donate or sell unnecessary items around your home so that you don’t have to pay to keep them in storage when you may never use them again. Practice getting things back to where they need to be once you’re done using them, and there will be less that needs to be done to get the home in good shape.

These four tips should help you clean your home on a budget and enjoy living in a clean and beautiful space. While it may be hard to form the habits you need to practice to keep your home clean, it’s worth the effort. Teach your family the same habits, and they could benefit from them for the rest of their lives as they’ll know what to do to keep their homes clean on a budget.