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How Changing Your Diet Can Change Your Life

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If you’re a regular visitor of Our Debt Free Family, you know that I am no stranger to trying new, crazy things to save money and lose weight. What if you could do both at the same time?

Like me, millions of Americans spend quite a bit of money each year maintaining their mental health. More specifically, warding off depressive episodes. A recent study found changing your diet could help decrease your risk of depression.

That’s right, not only does what you eat have a direct impact on your physical health but it can affect you mentally as well. Researchers found that people adhering to the DASH diet are less likely to develop depression. The DASH diet is heavy in fruit, veggies, and whole grains.

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States. In fact, the health costs associated with depression cost Americans millions of dollars a year.

Save Your Life By Changing Your Diet

For many people, controlling their diet may be the secret to saving their life, especially if they are prone to depression. Depression can oftentimes lead to thoughts of suicide and feelings of complete loneliness. Not to mention, adhering to what would be considered an unhealthy diet can cause a number of other health problems too (including heart disease).

You’ll save yourself a ton of stress by eating healthier, and you’ll feel it in your health and your wallet.

Thing to Eat to Maintain Your Health and Finances

So, what should you be eating to maintain your mental, physical, and financial health? Here are a few of my favorite foods that are DASH Diet friendly and super cheap…

Carrots & Celery 

Carrots and celery are two of my favorite snacks. It may sound crazy but both are great dipped in peanut butter and are super cheap. Usually, you can get a bag of baby carrots for $0.99 and celery for a little over $1. So, for less than $3 I’ll have healthy snacks throughout the week. It will help stabilize my mood as well as keep plaque from building up on my teeth, which helps control my dental costs.

Apples

Everyone knows the saying, “An apple a day will keep the doctor away.” Working fruits into your diet will help elevate your mood. Apples are also fairly inexpensive. The national average price of apples is $1.31 per pound.

Bananas

Another great and inexpensive food to work into your diet for mental, physical, and financial health are bananas. Cost wise, they are great (about $0.44 per bunch). Bananas are also rich in potassium and can help you maintain your health.

Unsweetened Applesauce

Unsweetened applesauce is a staple in my kitchen. It is super cheap, contains only natural sugars, and is delicious! You can get a 48-ounce jar of applesauce for less than $2.

Almonds

Almonds are one of the more expensive items on this list but they won’t break the bank. The Dash Diet-approved food is rich in protein and healthy fats. Compared to other types of nuts, they are also cheaper. The average national price of almonds sits around $3 per pound.

 

Sliced Deli Meat

Sliced deli meat is great for snacking and for meals. Places like Aldi sell pre-packaged deli meat for less than $3. Be sure to buy products lower in sodium and fat for health purposes.

Incorporating these inexpensive foods into your diet can help you in three major ways. The first is eating healthy will help you be healthy. This is a simple fact. It will also help you financially. Many people believe dieting means an expensive grocery bill, but it doesn’t have to! Lastly, altering your diet can save you mental stress and potentially reduce your risk of depression.

So, why not start changing your diet today? Introduce some healthy foods into your diet and let us know how it impacts you!

What to Do When You Need Extra Cash This Month

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It’s a horrible feeling when you can’t pay your bills or you run out of money before the end of the month. When you’re not even half-way through the month and already know for sure your account will be hitting zero soon it can be even worse.

Before depression sets in or you hit panic mode, stop and take a deep breath. There are solutions when you need extra cash this month.

Sell Stuff

When you need extra cash this month, start your spring cleaning early. Take an hour or two to go through the clutter in your home or apartment.

If you are like me chances are you usually put it off until you have time. But what better time than when you need some extra money?

Tackle that closet or dresser that is stuffed with clothes that don’t fit or new items you never used and won’t miss. Then, go online to eBay, Amazon, Letgo, or some other site and give it a new home.

Fill Out Surveys

Have you ever considered filling out surveys to make some extra money? There are plenty online to choose from that are willing to pay for your opinion of their products or services.

Some pay more than others, of course, but you could make anywhere from an extra few dollars to $90 or more. Regardless of the amount, if you have a computer already and a little extra time on your hands you could be making money in no time.

Ask for a Raise

Another thing to do when you need extra cash this month is ask for a raise. Obviously you will want to make sure you have been doing an exceptional job before you approach your supervisor. But this is one way to get some extra money in your budget when you need it.

Drive for Uber or Lyft

If you don’t mind driving you could use your car to earn some extra money. Sign up for Uber or Lyft and within a few days you could be chauffeuring others around and earning money for it.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a car. You can still sign up through HyreCar. Just fill out the paperwork and they will do a background check before matching you to a car you can rent.

Rent Your Extra Bedrooms

Having an unused bedroom can help when you need extra cash this month. With a little time and preparation you could rent it to other people such as vacationers or those traveling for business.

Check out the requirements with Airbnb to see if your home qualifies. You can either be absent or present when guests are there as long as you notify them before they rent.

You might be able to offer travelers additional services for extra money too, such a meals or transportation. However, if you do offer extras, make sure the prices are stated up front.

Offer a Variety of Services

Often people just need someone to fill the gaps in their lives. You could be that person. Advertise on Facebook, Twitter, and other places so that your community knows you are available.

The services you could provide are only limited by your imagination and what others need. You could babysit, animal sit, clean houses or businesses, paint, detail cars, tutor, clear snow, clean gutters, wash windows, buy and deliver groceries, run errands, and more.

Mend and Alter Clothes

If you have a sewing machine and are good at sewing you could tailor, mend, and alter clothes for other people to bring in extra cash. Some communities have a need for these services with no one to fill it.

Check with bridal shops, dry cleaning services, and clothing stores to see if you can get referrals. You may even be able to turn your temporary side-hustle into a permanent side business.

Bake or Cater

If you love to spend time in the kitchen and are a good cook, turn it into a money maker. Decide if you want to cater full meals or bake cookies, cakes, and other sweets.

Then, advertise and share a few samples to get customers fast. Before you know it you will be raking in the dough.

As you can see, when you need extra money in pretty short order there are things you can do to get it. Choose one or two of these ways to add to your income and help you breathe a little easier.

Have you ever fallen short on cash before? If so, what did you do to solve the problem?

Jeanne is a married mother of 2 children who works as a full-time freelancer and also helps out occasionally on the farm she and her husband own together. Her background is mostly finance and medical office management.  She’s currently working to improve her financial well-being and hopes to help others improve theirs as well.

What Do You Do When You’ve Have a Great Year?

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<p>It is that time of year again where many of your friends and family will resolve to change themselves for the better. The “new year, new me” vibe isn’t anything new. In fact, many people have become cynical of resolutions altogether. While I see how that could be easy to do, resolving to better yourself, or setting goals, is extremely helpful in life, both financially and personally. At the beginning of 2017, just one year ago, I resolved to better myself physically and financially. My credit score was around 420, I was living in a motel, and I was seriously overweight (around 280 pounds). I was spinning my wheels and needed to make a change. By February, I’d paid off the biggest piece of debt keeping me from being able to move and in April we leased an apartment. Then I started focusing on my health and continuing on my current financial path. I continued to pay off debt and started to save money. In June, I had to use all my newfound savings for a medical emergency (doesn’t that always happen?). No matter what happened, I continued to push forward. Skip to December 31, 2017, and my credit score is sitting at 650 (much better than earlier in the year). I’m also down 106 total from two years ago, 74 of which was lost in 2017. I also managed to establish some savings and established some credit for myself. When entering 2018 I was kind of flabbergasted. What do you do when you come off a good year? How do you maintain momentum?</p>::Pexels
It is that time of year again where many of your friends and family will resolve to change themselves for the better. The “new year, new me” vibe isn’t anything new. In fact, many people have become cynical of resolutions altogether. While I see how that could be easy to do, resolving to better yourself, or setting goals, is extremely helpful in life, both financially and personally.

At the beginning of 2017, just one year ago, I resolved to better myself physically and financially. My credit score was around 420, I was living in a motel, and I was seriously overweight (around 280 pounds). I was spinning my wheels and needed to make a change.

By February, I’d paid off the biggest piece of debt keeping me from being able to move and in April we leased an apartment. Then I started focusing on my health and continuing on my current financial path. I continued to pay off debt and started to save money. In June, I had to use all my newfound savings for a medical emergency (doesn’t that always happen?). No matter what happened, I continued to push forward.

Skip to December 31, 2017, and my credit score is sitting at 650 (much better than earlier in the year). I’m also down 106 total from two years ago, 74 of which was lost in 2017. I also managed to establish some savings and established some credit for myself.

When entering 2018 I was kind of flabbergasted. What do you do when you come off a good year? How do you maintain momentum?

How to Maintain Momentum

Keeping up momentum is something I’ve always associated with sports, running more specifically. I knew how to maintain and push through that way. A huge portion of that is the mentality, of course, so how do you maintain momentum when you’ve had a great year? Here are a few things I am doing to ensure my 2018 is just as successful as my 2017:

  1. Create a “did it” list. One great way to maintain momentum is creating a list of things you’ve already accomplished. By writing down the things you’ve already been able to do you can see the progress you have made. Consider keeping this list somewhere you walk by every day. When you accomplish something new, add it to the list.
  2. Set and focus on smaller goals. Instead of focusing on the fact that you need to lose 100 pounds, set a smaller weekly or monthly goal. For example, set a goal of losing 20 pounds by the end of March (a little more than six pounds per month). This makes your goal seem more attainable and it will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.
  3. Celebrate all of your progress. Any progress you make towards your goal should be celebrated. Just be sure you celebrate it in a way that will not hinder you. For instance, many people trying to lose weight will reward themselves with some big, greasy meal. Instead, consider grabbing yourself a new outfit or piece of clothing (you’ll need it with 20 pounds gone). Financially, people oftentimes save or pay off debt just to recreate the cycle again (spending all of their money or charging their cards). Don’t let your celebration cost you your success.
  4. Make small efforts each day. You should do something small each day to push you towards your goal. If your goal is to save more money, consider taking a money challenge that has you saving a different amount each day (the 365 Day Money Challenge is great). The same goes towards other goals you’ve set for yourself. Make a small effort each day and you’ll reach your goals in no time.

Each of these steps is something to consider when you are trying to maintain momentum in your personal life. Whether it is bettering your finances, doing better at work, or losing weight, you can keep climbing and reach your goals.

Have you had to find an innovative way to maintain momentum? Share it with us in the comments. 

10 Ways to Save For a Home in a Hurry

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So, you’re ready to buy a home but don’t know where to start when it comes to saving. You probably have bills now (rent, utilties, car payment, etc.) and now you’re trying to save thousands of dollars for a down payment on a home. How do you do it?

How to Save for a Home

There is no “fast” way to save for a home. When it comes to saving, finding focus and consistency lead to success. So, how do you go about successfully saving for a house? Here’s where you can start:

  • Get an idea of the buyer-seller market in your area. Of course, everyone has their idea of a dream home but buying a lower cost home may help you in the long run. After years of adding to the home and any renovations you may have made, your equity will go up and you’ll be more likely to be able to afford a higher priced home in the future.
  • Automate your savings. Most banks have an option to automatically deposit cash into your savings account. For instance, if you get paid on the 15th each month and want to put $200 of each check into savings you can set it up to transfer on the 16th. Doing this ensures that you won’t forget to save (or find a reason not to).
  • Save every extra penny you can. In addition to automated savings, try to save 100% of all windfalls. This includes bonuses, gift money, and prizes. You may also consider participating in a money challenge to encourage healthy saving habits.
  • Don’t lose focus. Saving for a home can be consuming. Don’t lose focus on the other important things in life. For instance, if you are saving for a home it would be counterproductive to skip paying your rent. Although you don’t want to be renting any longer, you still need a place to live. Saving for your home is important but so is maintaining good personal finance practices.
  • Budget. Budget. Budget. Create a budget and stick to it. Budgeting will help you realize where you can cut expenses and where you can’t. This will help add to the savings for your home.
  • Generate more income. If you want to save more money fast, you may want to consider looking for ways to make more money.

10 Ways to Speed Up Saving for a Home

<p>Speeding up your savings isn’t really possible without making more money or altering your life in some way. If you’re looking for ways to save for a home fast, think about taking on one or more of these tasks to generate more income: Ask for a raise. If you’ve been at your job for a while, ask for a raise. Negotiating a raise can be intimidating but remember that your time is worth money. Walk into the negotiation knowing what you’re worth and so will they. Having additional money each check will help you save for your home. Get a second job. Maybe you aren’t able to get a raise with your current employer. If that’s the case search for a second job. Consider weekend and part-time positions that won’t add too much to your plate but will help you save. Downsize your current living situation. Not everyone is able to do this but you can “generate” more income by downsizing for a short period before buying your home. Many couples move back into their parent’s home when saving to buy their own. Have a yard sale. Almost everyone has junk in their house they could get rid of and, chances are, there is someone out there willing to buy it and add it to the junk at their home. Hold a yard sale to generate some extra cash to add to savings. Make money with surveys online. There are survey sites that pay fairly well. You can make extra cash to stash away using the various survey websites out there. Make sure you get signed up with one that actually pays out though. Trim your budget. If you’ve taken the advice above, you have a budget. Are there any places you can cut down? Groceries are always my first go-to when I’m looking to trim my budget. Sell blood or plasma. There are parts of your body you can legally sell for money. Blood and plasma are both great ways to make extra cash to put in savings, especially if your blood type is rare. Many places will pay up to $400 for donating plasma, depending on the amount you’re able to give. Most donations equate to about $25 to $50 though. You can donate regularly though so if you want to add this to your list of ways to make extra cash it’s a good one. Open a high-yield savings account. Opening a savings account with a higher interest rate may help you save money faster by generating more money in interest than you would normally. However, many high-yield accounts have penalties if/when you withdrawal so before you open an account, read the fine print. Freelance. If you’re a writer or know a trade that you can freelance with, do it. Freelancing is a great way to make extra money to save for a home. You generally make your own schedule and only play off your own strengths. Talk to a financial advisor. Lastly, if you’re having trouble saving for your home or need more ideas on how to better prepare for your home, contact a financial advisor. They won’t necessarily help you generate more income but they can help you find money you didn’t know you had by sorting your finances. Getting ready to buy a home is an exciting and stressful time. Wanting to get it over with is natural but, when it comes to saving for a home, there is no fast track. However, take the tips and ideas above into consideration and you’ll be on your way in no time.</p>::Pexels
Speeding up your savings isn’t really possible without making more money or altering your life in some way. If you’re looking for ways to save for a home fast, think about taking on one or more of these tasks to generate more income:

  1. Ask for a raise. If you’ve been at your job for a while, ask for a raise. Negotiating a raise can be intimidating but remember that your time is worth money. Walk into the negotiation knowing what you’re worth and so will they. Having additional money each check will help you save for your home.
  2. Get a second job. Maybe you aren’t able to get a raise with your current employer. If that’s the case search for a second job. Consider weekend and part-time positions that won’t add too much to your plate but will help you save.
  3. Downsize your current living situation. Not everyone is able to do this but you can “generate” more income by downsizing for a short period before buying your home. Many couples move back into their parent’s home when saving to buy their own.
  4. Have a yard sale. Almost everyone has junk in their house they could get rid of and, chances are, there is someone out there willing to buy it and add it to the junk at their home. Hold a yard sale to generate some extra cash to add to savings.
  5. Make money with surveys online. There are survey sites that pay fairly well. You can make extra cash to stash away using the various survey websites out there. Make sure you get signed up with one that actually pays out though.
  6. Trim your budget. If you’ve taken the advice above, you have a budget. Are there any places you can cut down? Groceries are always my first go-to when I’m looking to trim my budget.
  7. Sell blood or plasma. There are parts of your body you can legally sell for money. Blood and plasma are both great ways to make extra cash to put in savings, especially if your blood type is rare. Many places will pay up to $400 for donating plasma, depending on the amount you’re able to give. Most donations equate to about $25 to $50 though. You can donate regularly though so if you want to add this to your list of ways to make extra cash it’s a good one.
  8. Open a high-yield savings account. Opening a savings account with a higher interest rate may help you save money faster by generating more money in interest than you would normally. However, many high-yield accounts have penalties if/when you withdrawal so before you open an account, read the fine print.
  9. Freelance. If you’re a writer or know a trade that you can freelance with, do it. Freelancing is a great way to make extra money to save for a home. You generally make your own schedule and only play off your own strengths.
  10. Talk to a financial advisor. Lastly, if you’re having trouble saving for your home or need more ideas on how to better prepare for your home, contact a financial advisor. They won’t necessarily help you generate more income but they can help you find money you didn’t know you had by sorting your finances.

Getting ready to buy a home is an exciting and stressful time. Wanting to get it over with is natural but, when it comes to saving for a home, there is no fast track. However, take the tips and ideas above into consideration and you’ll be on your way in no time.

Have you saved for a home? How long did it take?

Pursuing a Master’s Degree When You’re in Debt: Is It a Good Idea?

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Being in debt often limits your options. You cannot get an affordable loan due to the higher risk factor you now carry. It is also difficult to get your personal finances in order, considering you have many loan repayments to handle each month. Your options may be limited, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to improve.

Pursuing a master’s degree in fields such as business administration is a sure-fire way to boost your career to a new level. Better career means better income, which in turn can help you recover from your debt. That said, a master’s degree can be relatively expensive, so is it a good idea to pursue a graduate degree when you’re in debt?

Affordable Options

Let’s take a look at how you can pursue a master’s degree when you’re in debt. You can start by looking into online programs from reputable names such as Rutgers Online. Online courses are now accredited and allow you to get the same valuable degree as their offline counterparts.

There is another big advantage you will gain from going the online route too: affordable fees. Online degrees like AACSB online MBA are up to 50% more affordable than the equivalent offline degrees. Not only can you get an accredited degree that will help push your career forward but you can do it without spending as much money in the process.

Before you jump right in and enroll, however, there are more things to consider. Choose a degree that gives you the most career advantage. If you’re in marketing, for instance, look into online MBA programs that will help you become a better marketing executive and a prime candidate for a promotion.

More Homework to Do

Choosing a degree to pursue is just the first step. Since you have a less-than-stellar credit score and plenty of bills to take care of every month, you need to go the extra mile to make the pursuit of a master’s degree work.

You can start by seeking scholarships and financial aid. There are scholarship programs designed to help online students; these are the programs you should start with. Not all scholarships are based on merit and there are many opportunities to get them, especially today.

Financial aid is just as easy to find. Companies now offer incentives to persuade their employees to get a higher degree. This is because promoting an existing employee to a higher position is much cheaper than recruiting new executives. Check with HR if you can take advantage of such incentives.

Financing the Degree

If you still need a loan to finance the degree, then make sure you get the right type of student loan. Take your time and compare quotes from multiple lenders before borrowing any money. Calculate the total cost of using each loan and go with the best option you have in hand.

With an accelerated master’s degree such as the AACSB online MBA mentioned earlier, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as 12 to 15 months. The extra income you bank after giving your career a much-needed push will help you get your personal finances in order.

Financial Challenge Update: Can You Rush Into Saving?

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<p>If you’re a regular reader on Our Debt Free Family, you know that I’ve been facing some financial trouble, as well as some financials wins, in recent months. I finally got to the point that I was ready to take control of my finances again, from every angle. Of course, every financial challenge is a lesson. Because I’d not been able to save or invest in a while, I may have jumped into saving money too quickly. You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Is that even possible?” For me, it was (and still is). Below you’ll find tips and advice on how to avoid rushing into savings.</p>::Pexels
If you’re a regular reader on Our Debt Free Family, you know that I’ve been facing some financial trouble, as well as some financials wins, in recent months. I finally got to the point that I was ready to take control of my finances again, from every angle.

Of course, every financial challenge is a lesson. Because I’d not been able to save or invest in a while, I may have jumped into saving money too quickly.

You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Is that even possible?” For me, it was (and still is). Below you’ll find tips and advice on how to avoid rushing into savings.

Financial Challenge: Can You Rush Into Saving?

Like I said, for me, saving too quickly was a possibility. I set goals that made life a little bit harder. I wanted to save $400 a month to start. However, I budgeted myself down to the penny to get there. There was nothing left for me to do anything besides sit in the house. Not only will that make for a rather boring Saturday night, but it will also make you loathe saving money (and possibly tempt you to take from savings down the road). Here are three tips I’d give anyone about to start regular savings for the first time:

Don’t Strap Yourself

When you’re budgeting to save money, don’t strap yourself like I did. A huge part of this financial challenge was to simply become more aware of my finances. Setting such a steep savings goal to start off definitely made me take a closer look at what I was spending each month. However, it also made it so that I couldn’t do much else other than saving money. If you are trying to save up for something specific or need the cash quickly, this isn’t a problem. But, for long-term savings plans, you want to have something you can stick to for a long time without feeling strapped.

Be Realistic

Which brings us to my next point. You’ve got to be realistic when you are setting your savings goals. No matter how much you are able to save, something is better than nothing. Start out with a small financial challenge for saving, like the 52 Week Money Challenge or the 365 Day Money Challenge. Once you get the hang of putting money aside every day or every week, you can move on to bigger goals. Just be sure they are within your current budget.

Consistency is Key

Finally, consistency is key. In any kind of challenge, and especially in a financial challenge, staying consistent can prove to substantially beneficial. For instance, if you’ve decided to put $50 per week into a savings account but skip one week to go bowling instead you may be inclined to skip your savings deposit in weeks to come as well. If you stay consistent, however, it will become almost second nature. (Setting up automatic deposits is a great way to remain consistent with your savings goals.)

Whether you are trying to save or you’re trying to get a better look at your finances, taking on a challenge is a great way to get started. Check out my first post on My Financial Challenge and, as always, feel free to reach out!

 

Why You Need Life Insurance

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Young people in their 20s don’t think of life insurance as something that’s a necessity for themselves. Yet they are at the perfect age to buy a term or whole life insurance policy to take care of outstanding debts in case they die prematurely. And because young people are far more likely to carry a heavy debt load straight out of college, they need something to protect family members who co-signed for the loan. Or leave money to cover any expenses including the funeral and unpaid credit card bills. These are thoughts that no one likes to think as they’re a bit morbid, but it is a reality of life.

Young adults have the benefit of being in what’s known as a low-risk pool for insurers. They’re far less likely to have serious or life-threatening illnesses, and insurers reward that with lower premiums. The same goes for term or whole life insurance. And even though term life insurance only lasts for so long, it’s still worth buying while young. One reason is that life circumstances change over time. Someone who’s single in their 20s may be married in their 30s and raising a family. In the event they have an untimely passing in their 50s, they may still have a term life insurance policy in effect that benefits those who survive.

Take the quiz below to see how much you know about the benefits of getting life insurance at a young age. You might be surprised at what you learn!

Dear Best Friend, Here Are The Reasons I’m Not Loaning You That Money

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<p>"Can you loan me some money? Just until I get back on my feet?” Many of us have been in the position where a friend or family member is asking for financial assistance. If you’re like me, you’ve even gone into debt loaning that money. If the person is close to you, it may be hard to say no. However, there are plenty of reasons you have to say no without feeling bad.</p>::Pexels
“Can you loan me some money? Just until I get back on my feet?”

Many of us have been in the position where a friend or family member is asking for financial assistance. If you’re like me, you’ve even gone into debt loaning that money. If the person is close to you, it may be hard to say no. However, there are plenty of reasons you have to say no without feeling bad.

Dear Best Friend,

  1. I won’t be able to loan you the money you are asking for because I don’t have it. Even if this is a little, white lie, and you do have some spare cash lying around, you never had cash set aside for your friend, sister, mother or brother’s financial emergency. Look out for yourself first.
  2. I’m not loaning you that money because you couldn’t tell me what you are doing with it. Remember, if you are willing to loan someone money they should at least be willing to tell you what they need the money for.
  3. The reason I’m not loaning you that money is that you’ve never paid me back. Don’t get burned twice. If someone has already borrowed from you and left the loan unpaid, don’t lend them more cash. You’ll just keep digging yourself into a deeper hole.
  4. Another reason I’m not going to loan you any money is that you just spent a ton of unnecessary money. Tons of people spend money on new clothes and flashy things and then need to ask friends and family for money. Oftentimes, they pull their loved ones into debt with them.
  5. Lastly, I cannot afford to lose the money. Every time you lend someone money you are basically gambling it (except without any possibility of gaining more, unless you charge interest). You have to be able to afford to lose the cash you lend in the event that your friend or relative doesn’t pay you back.

I Will Still Help…

Although I won’t be loaning you that money, I will still help, and you can help your friends and family in a financial crisis too. Here’s how:

  1. Go over expenses with them. Offer to help them take a look at their finances. If you’re doing well financially, you may be able to help them get on their feet and stay there.
  2. Sit down and help them make a budget. Once you look at where their money is going, set up a loose budget with them. If you’re already budgeting, you can help your friend or family member better understand theirs.
  3. Identify places they may be able to trim. Talk with them about areas they may be able to scale down on (i.e. clothing cost, eating out, grocery bill, electricity, and water). Then help them decide on a way to track their spending and budget. (There are plenty of helpful apps and other tools.)
  4. Construct a savings plan. Once you’ve trimmed up the budget a bit, then help them establish a savings plan (even something as simple as the 52 Week Money Challenge). Even if it is only a few dollars here and there, it can make a world of difference.
  5. Provide support. If you’re able to provide your friend or relative with a little financial advice, you can also provide them with support moving forward. Personal finance doesn’t come easily for everyone. To prevent them from continuing the same cycle, provide them with continuous verbal/emotional support of their savings plan and goals and constantly remind them of what they are working towards.

Loaning people money is a sticky area. Don’t feel like you have to give anyone anything, especially if you truly don’t have the money to do so. Have you ever turned someone down for a loan? What was your reasoning? 

Photo: The One Thing

Ways to Improve Your Chances Of Winning Sports Betting

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Gambling is a kind of addiction to mind. By its nature, it is a method of filling your time and trying to make money.  But those who are into a healthy betting and do it sensibly, they can make it fun and exciting to be a part of sports.

Sometimes it may result in an uncertain outcome as it is all about finding the best value for money. So, do you know the ways to make the most of your bet? Do you know the tricks to get the best?

There are many things to take care of, like the right market, the best time to put your bet on and other little things. These things are like a guide for you to see if you can make the most from your gambling experience. By following an approach that is structured, better can possibly win more than losing. Here are a few ways out that can help a gambler to have a winning bet on sports:

Look around for bookmakers, do not stick to one

In the competitive sector of betting business, there is a big emphasis on brand loyalty. The companies will try to convince you to choose them for bet through various loyalty schemes. They all have the same intention and it’s on you to choose the best. Shop around the best bookmakers who has the best price for the market you want. Check the offers available and as a result, bookies all have their own spin on it.

Know the bookmakers and their odds

At times, the popularity of the event you are betting on will determine the odds of the bookmakers. Their odds will be a reflection of what bookmakers expect the general public to play and actually not the real probabilities of either outcome. They will set their odds in order to attract the betters on their side and to balance their liability. So, choose wisely and opt to play with reputable ones like sports.williamhill.com/ who offers fair odds across all markets, even promotions. Calculate the margins of smart bookmakers, to find great value for your events and a profitable strategy.

Keep the past away and do not celebrate for too long

In the past, whether you lost or win, do not let it run throw you off your game. Keep it out of the league, out of your mind and start a new analysis. The spin will surely be on your side. Also, do not assume a false courage due to some past experience. Stick with your plan, have a good analysis.

Develop a long term stability

Who doesn’t want to get rich quickly, but that is not actually possible. It is a long term process. Getting rich through betting involves stability. You need to build a betting bankroll to increase the amount you bet on each game. When you steadily gain a stability you will find yourself making a decent pocket money and maybe also living wage out of it.

Maintain the records

Keeping a record of your betting game will help you in long term success. Keep a record of your betting by having a spreadsheet that will track your bets, the odds and what other things you want to add regarding your matches you bet on. When you do this, your betting will become more disciplines and it will assist you to keep a track of your profit and loss during every bet. Overall, it will enhance your betting discipline.

So, in a nutshell, follow these ways to have a win-win betting.

How to Start Your Own Project Management Company

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Making your way in the world when it comes to your career is a tricky road. Learning how to navigate it can take an entire lifetime. You’re faced with twists and turns that you didn’t even imagine existed. So what happens if you’re not satisfied just following a basic path; what if you want to make your own way and be the one in control of your career? This is exactly why so many people choose to start their own company.

One field that is extremely popular with those looking to head up their own business is project management. As a project manager, you’ll be the one in charge of the planning and execution of various projects that you take on. It’s something new and exciting each and every day, which adds to the allure. Here’s a look at the steps you can take that will allow you to start your own project management company.

Start with an Educational Foundation

Before you can even think about starting up your own project management company, it’s necessary to get the proper educational foundation. What this means is enrolling in a masters in project and program management program. You can even enroll in an online MSMPP program, which will allow you to obtain the degree while working on the side.

By earning your degree you will be arming yourself with the most-up-to date tools, knowledge, and skills that are required to successfully manage projects.

Specialize in a Particular Industry

Another tip is to become an expert in one particular industry. This will help you to gain the upper-hand in that industry, which will set you apart from the competition. You’ll want to start specializing as early as possible so it’s clear from the start where your focus is.

Build a Marketing Plan

It’s pretty hard to build a company and make it successful if people don’t know about you and don’t know how to find you. This means you need a marketing plan. How do you plan to reach potential customers, where will you do this, how often, and how will you follow up with potential clients.

In today’s landscape, social networks tend to be an excellent place to market your services. What this means is that you need to be active on social networks such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You’ll also need a website that is SEO optimized, is user-friendly, and provides people with a reason to visit it. Adding a blog to your website can definitely help.

Get Out and Network

When it comes to starting your own business, no matter what industry it is in, networking is an absolute necessity. Attend industry events, seminars, conferences, and look into cross-promoting with other companies. The larger your network, the more opportunities will be open to you.

Keep at It

No-one has ever said that starting your own business is an easy process. It takes time, energy, motivation, and perseverance. All of this work just helps to make it more rewarding when your business does become a success.