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How to Prepare for Major Expenses Associated With Your Home

July 13, 2023 By Erin H Leave a Comment

Home expenses can sometimes hit us when we least expect them, and when increases happen during a period of a struggling economy, this can make things worse. It’s always a good idea to have some tips for spending your money wisely, especially when looking to curb home expenses and find a balance.

Spending Too Much on Furniture

According to RentoMojo, the estimated lifespan of a typical sofa is 2,958 days. Can you just imagine this low lifespan? Instead of buying cheap, invest in a more premium sofa, which can help you save in the long run. Yes, you’ll have to pay more, but it will cost you less later. Your couch will be more durable for the long haul and save you money from having to keep replacing the less robust and cheaper sofa each time it gives in and doesn’t work the way it should anymore.

Save in Advance

Whether you need to repair your roof, replace it, or do any other major thing on your property, rather save ahead of time. Putting away the full amount for an expensive project will dent your cash flow for the month. If you set aside an allocated amount to save for maybe three years (depending on your money management and budgets), then you can accrue the money for the project without feeling it directly.

Saving ahead is unlike when you’re paying off credit. No additional interest is added, so you can save until you’re done and ready to start the project. Modernize suggests that, on average, American homeowners can expect a roof replacement cost to fall somewhere between $5,200 and $12,085. This amount also depends on things like materials and location, as prime locations are often more expensive for everything, including hiring contractors.

Set Up a Fixed Savings Account

Major and minor home renovations can cost a lot, depending on how much you have done. Arrange with your bank that you can create a fixed savings account that is only accessible after a set period. In this way, you won’t feel the urge to tap into it and utilize it for other expenses. You can now set aside money dedicated to your home renovation or another major project to do. It’s said that an estimated 22% of homeowners will spend between $5,000 and $15,000 on home improvement projects. This figure is steep but saving will surely help.

Include Major Expenses in Your Budget

It’s important to have money to save, and if you haven’t started, then assessing your current budget and tweaking it to start adding a set amount for savings each month helps. At the same time, by altering your budget, think about the costs you’re currently paying and what you could do without, and it won’t be straining the household. You may want to cut back on some additional expenses to accommodate a compulsory saving feature each month until you have completed the project that you’re saving for.

Do You Need Additional Income?

You may need to compensate your money each month and might need to take on a second job or something to help increase your current income. If you have a major expense related to your home, you can look into ways to make extra money. Perhaps your partner enjoys baking and wouldn’t mind making baked goods and selling them for an additional income. You may have a food truck business that you run on the weekends to add to your daywork income during the week. You can also sit dogs, kids, houses, and many other easy things that won’t need much capital to get them off the ground

Are you feeling pumped to get this saving feature underway so you can get cracking on your home expense project? Once the project you’ve saved for so long is completed, you will be super proud and happy knowing that this is something you successfully achieved.

Filed Under: Saving

7 Common Bed Buyer Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

June 30, 2023 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

 

Are you looking for a new bed to get extra benefits in your sleep? Perhaps you want something more comfortable or a cushion that helps you rest better. Either way, it helps to know what mistakes to look out for.

Buying a bed goes beyond the thickness and softness of the material. You should consider the type of foam, size, and other factors. But the question is, what should you avoid doing?

Here’s a look at seven bed buyer mistakes you want to prevent to ensure you find the right bed for your needs. Let’s start!

1. Choosing Based on Price

Many bed buyers choose based on the cost alone. But although the price usually reflects the quality, you could still come across great affordable deals.

Comparing bed prices makes it easier to find high-quality beds for a reasonable cost. And so, it lets you limit your expenditure to reasonable amounts.

Moreover, if you’re on a budget, you might want to list down your priorities rather than focusing on the cheapest option. This way, you get to stick with a quality bed that holds up well instead of a low-cost one you replace often.

2. Only Replacing the Mattress

Some people only change the mattress when they get a new bed. Note that this works well if your bed base is new or in good condition.

Check your bed frame whenever you decide to get a new mattress. Some signs you need to change include frequent creaking, mattress sinking, and damaged hardware or wood.

Remember to assess the base if you’re uncomfortable with your sleep but aren’t sure if there’s a problem with your mattress.

3. Not Testing the Bed

When buying a new mattress, you should give yourself ample time to try each option. Testing different beds lets you see how it feels on your back or helps you determine if it’s comfortable.

Some stores don’t allow you to lie or sit on the beds. In this case, you can use your hand or arm to confirm if you like it.

It’s also good to test the bed before buying it to check if it’s too firm or soft. While it differs based on your preference, the bed should be the right balance to prevent pain or muscle problems.

4. Estimating the Size

Beds already come in sizes that include King, Twin, and Single. Although you can use these as a general basis for picking a bed size, you should still note your bed’s measurements for accuracy.

Some manufacturers make beds of a slightly different size than others despite being the same kind. So, you want to get one that fits the best for your room.

A quick tip when you measure is to decide how much space you want in the room. With that, you only pick a bed that fits perfectly or gives you more free space.

5. Style Over Comfort

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a bed that looks nice, but it often becomes one of the common bed buyer mistakes.

It’s good to remember that comfort is one of the essential bed features. A stylish bed usually provides it the least due to its structure. Unless you value visual appeal, you may want to check other options.

Choosing a bed for the style more than the benefits and comfort hinders you from having a better sleeping experience. Note that this doesn’t apply to all visual-appealing choices.

Testing it out is the best way to see if a trendy bed is worth the cost. When you do so, you can see if it’s comfy enough.

6. Overlooking Warranties

Manufacturers offer different warranty and return policies, so you must check out these guidelines when you buy a bed. It makes it easier for you to address any problems with the bed without incurring additional expenses that could have been free.

If you buy a bed from a third-party provider, you should know their policies to ensure nothing overlaps. This way, you don’t find yourself in a situation where you’re stuck between their rules.

At the same time, some sellers won’t allow you to return or replace the bed under specific circumstances. So, when something comes up, document and keep related receipts for later proof.

7. Not Viewing Other Options

Many bed buyers look through the same types and options when they shop for a new one. While it could be your preference, it’s also a common mistake among most individuals, depending on their reason for replacing their old mattress.

For example, if you’re looking for a new bed because yours feels too small, you may want to look past the twin-size section. On the other hand, if you stay in a single room with less space, it’s best to avoid the king and queen-sized beds.

It also helps to check if specific types of beds are available. You could get a bunk bed if you share the room with someone else.

A loft bed is an excellent choice if you want to have more floor space. Murphy beds are a unique way to keep your room space without worrying about your sleeping space, which you can learn more about in this article.

Find the Best Bed by Watching Out for These Bed Buyer Mistakes

Most bed buyer mistakes affect the type of mattress and frame you purchase when looking for a replacement or upgrade. It usually involves checking the comfort level, warranties, and sizes and testing it.

Following these practices helps you focus on picking a bed that works well with your needs! You can check the rest of our blog for more tips and guides.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

What Can I Do If I Can’t Afford Dental Work?

June 26, 2023 By Erin H Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that dental care can be very expensive. According to reports, almost 50% of American citizens don’t have dental insurance coverage. Without insurance coverage, paying for dental care outside of your budget can be difficult, but not impossible. Read on to learn how you can get dental care even though you can’t afford it.

Get Cleanings and Fillings at a Dental School

Is there a dental school somewhere in your area? If so, it’s a great resource for free or reduced-cost dental care. About 26% of American adults aged 20-44 have cavities that still need treatment, according to the CDC. If you’re currently dealing with tooth decay, going to your local dental school may enable you to get fillings for free. Before any dentist graduates, there are certain procedures they must demonstrate to their teachers.

Continue Wearing Your Retainers

Are you someone that’s dealing with misaligned or crooked teeth? If so, you’re not alone, since one out of three orthodontic patients are adults. Do you have a retainer from your last treatment? You should continue to wear it as it will keep your teeth in line. If you stop wearing your retainer too early after braces treatment, your teeth may shift back to their old position and require costly care again.

Use Credit

Credit cards aren’t just for shopping and taking vacations. You can also use credit to handle medical and dental care fees as well. Matter of fact, there is a credit line specifically for such scenarios known as Care Credit. Visit the Care Credit website and apply online. Once you’ve been approved, you can quickly use your credit line to pay for any dental or medical services. Even if you have dental insurance, you’ll still have to pay something out of pocket. Luckily, with Care Credit, you can pay for any coinsurance, copay, or office visits not covered by your regular plan.

Set Up a Payment Plan

Did you know it was possible to set up a payment plan for certain dental procedures? For example, if you’re going to your orthodontist for braces treatment, it can take as long as two years to complete. If making those payments out of your pocket is too much to do up front, work out something with your orthodontist for the lifespan of your treatment.

The type of payment plan you can use depends on the dentist that you’re going to. Some may have payment plans for a few months, or some may allow you to stretch out your payments until treatment is complete. If a dentist has a payment plan option, they often list it on their website. However, if you don’t see a payment plan option on the website, don’t be afraid to go in for a consultation anyway and see if there’s something you can work out.

Check Special Programs

Many programs are available to assist people with various needs. Did you serve your country as a veteran? If so, the first stop you should make is your local Veteran’s Association office. Depending on your status, you may be able to get full or partial coverage for your dental care. If you’re over the age of 65, Medicare has programs to assist seniors with medical and dental care needs. People with physical or mental disabilities should check their local and state programs for help.

One of the ways to practice good oral care is by seeing a dentist regularly. Unfortunately, your budget may not allow you to get the care you need when you need it. If you’re dealing with such a situation, there are ways you can work around the high cost of dental care. Use this list for some tips, so you can keep your teeth as healthy as possible.

Filed Under: dental work

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