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How Getting Ahead Saves Me Time, Money, and Mental Energy

June 19, 2023 By MelissaB 2 Comments

Since the pandemic, I’ve been working on getting ahead in my pantry and finances. It’s taken me a few years, but I’m finally able to reap the rewards of my hard work.

How Getting Ahead Saves Me Time, Money, and Mental Energy

The two most significant ways I got ahead were having a well-stocked pantry and using this month’s income to pay next month’s bills. Here’s how each saves me time, money, and mental energy.

Pantry

I have two large shelving units in our basement that hold canned and boxed goods. I’ve grown this pantry in the last nine months since we’ve moved. Now, when I go to the grocery store, the only items I “need” are fresh fruits and vegetables. The rest of what I buy is to restock the pantry when needed.

In addition to dry goods, I have two deep freezers full of dairy-free cheese (I only buy this when it’s on sale), meats, fish, and freezer meals I’ve made in advance.

A well-stocked pantry and freezer save me money and time because I don’t have to run to the store for one or two items. If I run out of an ingredient when cooking, I get another one downstairs. I call it “shopping in the basement.”

Using This Month’s Income to Pay Next Month’s Bills

Getting ahead financially has been my goal for some time, but it was only over the last year that we’ve been able to do so. Having all the money I need to pay this month’s bills at the start of the month saves me mental energy, time, and money.

What I Used to Do

When I didn’t have extra money, I would assign each paycheck to specific bills I had to pay. Since my husband is paid every two weeks, this could get tricky. Our house payment is due on the first, but sometimes, depending on how the paychecks fell, I wouldn’t have the money to pay that bill until the very end of the month, which stressed me out. I had to keep an eye on all my bills to avoid missing any due dates.

What I Do Now

Now, I’m one month ahead on all bills in my budget. So, when June 1^st hit, I had all the money I needed to pay June’s bills. I can pay my house payment anytime during the month because the money is waiting for me to make the payment. Also, on June 1^st, I have the entire amount of grocery money for the month at my disposal, so I can buy groceries whenever I want or need to, rather than waiting on my husband’s paycheck to come.

When my husband was paid on June 1^st, I went to July’s budget and added his paycheck to those expenses. I can’t express the comfort I get from having all the money for this month’s bills ready as soon as I start the new month. It also saves me time because I can sit down to pay my bills at once without waiting for more paychecks to come in.

Final Thoughts

If you’re financially able, I highly recommend getting ahead on your pantry and your budget. You may find, as I do, that getting ahead saves time, money, and mental energy.

Read More

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5 Tips for Choosing the Right Car Transporting Company

June 12, 2023 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

Did you know that in 2021, there were 278,063,737 vehicles in the U.S.?

Many people choose to ship their cars rather than drive them across long distances. If you decide to do this, you must find the right car transporting company to help you. To do this, you should know what to look for.

See below for some signs that you’ve found a quality auto shipping company.

1. Assessing Company Credibility

When looking for the right car transporting company, it is essential to assess their credibility. It is also important to check a company’s background. Determine if the company is registered with the National Auto Shipper Association.

Additionally, you should check the Small Business Administration to see if the company has any prior grievances or complaints. You should look closely at the company’s reputation.

Evaluating a company’s credibility will give you the confidence to select the best vehicle shipping for the job.

2. Understanding Cost and Fees

When choosing a car transporting company, it’s essential to understand the shipping car cost and fees associated with the service. Ensure you get an estimate up front that includes all the fees and ask for a breakdown of each fee.

Ensure you are getting the service you need. Determine if all taxes and tolls are included in the fee. Ask if the payment is insured and precisely what it covers.

3. Evaluating Service Options

Ensure the company offers specific service features you need, such as enclosed transport, door-to-door service, safe tracks and stations, and other standard features. Make sure they are certified and licensed by the relevant transport authorities.

Have the means to track the vehicle in real-time to ensure safe and secure transport and have the infrastructure to handle emergencies. Considering all these points when evaluating service options, you can find the car transport company that is right for you.

4. Investigating Insurance Protection

One crucial step when choosing an auto transport company is learning about the insurance protection offered. When researching, be sure to find out if the car transporter provides liability and cargo insurance.

Also, identify if the carrier has cargo insurance that covers the value of the vehicle being transported. Confirm that there is coverage for personal injury and that it meets your state requirements. A reputable car transporter will provide information on the types of insurance protections offered.

5. Verifying Customer Feedback

Verifying customer feedback is essential. It’s important to read reviews and testimonials left by past customers to help you determine the quality of the service you are paying for.

Ask to speak to previous customers and visit online reviews to get honest feedback about their experience. Asking the right questions and reading customer feedback will help you ensure you don’t compromise on quality and get the best car transport experience.

Picking a Reputable Car Transporting Company

Taking the time to research a car transporting company is essential for finding a trustworthy provider. Consider costs, services offered, reviews, and more. Ultimately, the right car transport company for each customer will depend on their specific needs and budget.

You can find more valuable and interesting articles on our website. Be sure to visit us and read more!

4 Ways to Save Money On Extensive Oral Surgery

June 6, 2023 By Erin H Leave a Comment

Fitting oral health care into your budget is a necessity. Unfortunately, oral health care can be expensive, especially when you need major oral surgery. Of course, the best way to ensure you can fit oral health care into your budget is to focus on preventive health care. However, if you need extensive oral surgery, you may be able to save on the treatment by using these four tips.

1. Ask for A Discount

Sometimes, to protect your budget, you must step outside your comfort zone. It may seem unconventional to ask for a discount, but in many cases, it is the best way to find some savings. Negotiating costs is not typically associated with oral health care, but you can ask for a discount.

Many providers will offer a “cash” price for care. If you ask for the cash price, you may be surprised by how much you can save. Some providers will not reduce the cost but will provide added-value services to compensate for the costs.

2. Shop Around

You should shop around, Whether oral health services for yourself or a family member. The cost of dental care can vary greatly depending on the provider. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20% of all children in the United States have untreated tooth decay. This may be because they are uninsured and their parents cannot afford the treatment.

Shopping around for the best price can make oral health care more affordable. It is a lot easier to fit oral health care into your budget when you compare prices. The cost difference between providers can add up to thousands of dollars in savings.

3. Consider Dental Insurance

If you need extensive oral health care to get your teeth healthy, consider getting dental insurance. Dental insurance plans can help to offset a great deal of costs. Most plans cover 100% of preventive dental treatment and about 50% of other dental treatments. It is far better to pay 50% of treatment costs than to find a way to squeeze 100% of treatment costs out of your budget.

Dental insurance plans can vary in premium costs. You want to compare plans to ensure you get the best value. Check with your employer to see if they offer a dental insurance plan. If you have children, biological or adopted, it’s important to inquire about whether they can be on your insurance as well. Keep in mind, to adopt a child in Tennessee, you have to be at least 18, married for six months, and pass a home study by the Department of Social Services.

4. Keep Specialty Appointments Down To a Minimum

Any time you must see a specialist, it will cost more. General dentists can do a lot of the work that a specialist does. Make the job easier for your dentist by taking preventive steps at home. For example, according to the American Dental Association, if you crack a tooth, rinse your mouth with a saltwater rinse, and place a cold compress on your face to reduce swelling.

A good home oral hygiene program will make the job easier for your general dentist and help you to avoid those costly specialty appointments. If you need extensive work on your teeth, good oral hygiene will shorten your recovery period.

Oral health care can be more affordable than you think. You must work for the savings sometimes, asking around or doing some research to determine what resources are offered near you. Learn more about how to save money on oral health care and how to protect your budget. It’ll benefit you and your family in the long term!