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An illness, injury, broken appliance, car accident or job loss can occur at any time. Having enough savings to cover three to six months’ worth of expenses can help you avoid losing your home or going deep into debt to make ends meet. Savings Strategies It’s easy to set a vague savings goal, but you won’t build up an adequate emergency fund unless you make a consistent effort. Look at your income and expenses and set a savings goal that is both ambitious and realistic. Some people have funds automatically transferred to a savings account each time they get paid, while others wait until the end of the month and transfer what they can. The problem with the second approach is that if you aren’t disciplined, you might overspend during the month, have nothing left to contribute to your emergency fund, promise yourself that you will save money next month, and repeat the cycle. Automatic transfers can help you stay committed to your savings goal. Find Ways to Lower Costs Housing and transportation are major expenses for most people. If you have a mortgage, see if you can refinance and lower your interest rate. If you rent, consider finding a roommate or moving to a cheaper place. If you spend a lot on gas, taking public transportation, carpooling, buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle, or moving closer to work could lower your costs. Debt can make it tough to save. If you have student loans, consider refinancing. If your credit card balances or interest rates are high, look for a card with a favorable balance transfer offer. People spend a lot of money for convenience. You could save by cooking at home more often and taking coffee and a lunch to work instead of eating out and going to a coffee shop. Telephone and entertainment costs can get out of control if you aren’t careful. If your phone bill is high, see if you can switch to a cheaper individual plan or a family plan. You can also cut back on cable and go to movies and concerts less often. Earn and Save Extra Money If there isn’t much you can cut from your budget, increase your income. Look for a part-time job or odd jobs to earn some extra money. If you have any belongings you don’t use that are in good condition, sell them. If you receive a tax refund, bonus or monetary gift, put it straight into your savings account. If you can normally get by without the extra money every month, then you won’t miss it, but it can make a big difference in the size of your emergency fund. Start Saving Today An emergency can happen at any time. Having money set aside can give you peace of mind and help you avoid a financial crisis. Even if you can’t save much at first, do what you can and make saving a habit so you can gradually build an emergency fund. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Here are the defining features of French Provincial homes… Stone, Brick and Slate The exterior of this architectural style can be immediately recognized by its stone or brick faade and slate roof. Symmetrical Windows Multi-paned windows are commonly featured in French Provincial style architecture and are typically arranged symmetrically. Rustic Warmth Exposed wood beams, weathered finishes and wrought-iron accents are all great additions. Light and Airy Colors Complementing the natural materials, a light color palette plays a major role in creating the casual elegance thats highly sought after. Furniture and Decor When decorating in French Provincial style, the goal is to achieve a sense of simple romanticism throughout each room. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Food waste is a major issue in households across the U.S. Too often, we unintentionally buy or cook more food than necessary and then decide to throw out the extras. Reducing food waste not only helps conserve resources and protect the environment from more landfill gases"it could also save you a lot of money. Shop Smart One of the most effective ways to ensure you dont waste food at home is determining what to buy at the grocery store. Plan your meals for the week ahead, and prepare a detailed shopping list. Before going to the store, take inventory of your food pantry, fridge and freezer to ensure you dont accidentally buy ingredients you already have. When at the store, try sticking to your shopping list. Although it may make sense to take advantage of special offers or buy in bulk, such deals could end up being a waste of money and food if you dont use the products before they go bad. Therefore, consider an items shelf life, and dont buy additional fresh produce and other perishable items just because theyre on sale. To avoid impulse buying, which can fill up a shopping cart with unnecessary items fast, never go shopping while hungry. Store Strategically Keep your pantry and fridge clean and organized. This will ensure you know whats in them and dont forget about hidden items before its too late. You could unpack your groceries using what many restaurants and supermarkets call the first in, first out rule. By placing the newest items behind older ones, youll likely remember to use the older items first. To prolong the shelf life of cereals and other dry goods, store them in airtight containers in the pantry, and to help vegetables keep their crunch, place them in the refrigerators crisper drawer. As many fruits ripen, including apples, bananas and tomatoes, they release natural gases that make other nearby produce spoil faster; therefore, store fruits separately. Embrace Your Freezer The freezer is your biggest ally in the war against food waste, as freezing allows you to safely store items for long periods. If you buy meat in bulk, you could put the amount you wont be using that week in a freezer bag. If you have leftovers you dont plan to eat immediately, including soups and other liquids, you can freeze them until youre ready to reheat them. If bread usually goes stale in your home, you can freeze half the loaf for later use. If you want to cut your time in the kitchen or use ingredients before they go bad, you can cook and then freeze whole meals days in advance. Again, the freezer is your friend. Understand Date Labels Contrary to popular belief, date labels on products are merely guidelines that often cause people to throw out food thats perfectly edible. A sell by date label is for the stores benefit, not a customers, and best by or use by date labels indicate when the manufacturer thinks a product will lose its peak quality. Just because the labels date has passed, it doesnt mean the food is unsafe to eat. That said, use your senses to determine whether the food item has become mushy, discolored, moldy or stinky. If it has, the food is most likely unsafe to eat, and you should throw it out. When it comes to dealing with signs of spoilage, always err on the side of caution. Get Creative Food doesnt need beautiful ingredients to taste good. If you have vegetables or fruits a bit past their prime, they may still be edible and useful. For example, overly ripe bananas are great for banana bread, cake or muffins. Other fruits that have begun to go soft can also be made into fresh juices, jams or smoothies, and soft tomatoes are prime ingredients for pasta sauce. Aging or wilting vegetables might not look as appetizing as brand-new ones, but they could be fine for soups, stir fries, homemade stocks or casseroles. Explore cookbooks and online recipes to find creative ways to use food you might otherwise waste. Both the environment and your wallet will be better off. Published with permission from RISMedia.
After working hard at the same job for years, youve saved up enough money and hit the age where you can finally retire. Congratulations! Retirement can be an exciting time full of new journeys, personal growth and, of course, some well-deserved R&R. Although adequate savings and a responsible budget are essential for a happy post-work life, money isnt everything. In fact, studies suggest many people have trouble adjusting to retirement, and some may even become depressed. Now that youre out of the office, though, theres a variety of rewarding things you can do with all that extra time to help keep you active, social and happy: Focus on Family Did a busy work schedule ever make you miss a school play or karate class when your kids were younger? You cant change the past, but retirement is the perfect opportunity to focus on spending more quality time with your children and other family members. If you have grandchildren, offer to babysit them; your children will appreciate the help, youll enjoy watching your grandkids grow up, and the little ones will keep you on your toes. Travel If youve dreamed of seeing the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Colosseum in Rome, now might be the time. Of course, such trips can be expensive and physically demanding, so consult your financial adviser and doctor to ensure major travel is right for you. If health issues arise later in retirement, a local day trip could satisfy your wanderlust. Exercise Try signing up for a yoga class or joining groups of retirees for jogging, biking or swimming. In addition to the clear mental and physical upsides to exercise, you also might be able to make new friends. To guarantee daily walks and companionship, consider getting a dog, as well. Keep Learning Maybe you enjoyed gardening or painting but didnt get to really hone your skills while working. Or, maybe youve always wanted to learn how to ballroom dance, write poetry or speak a new language. In retirement, go for it. Practicing a hobby or continually learning can help keep your mind sharp and make you feel accomplished. You can even take courses at a local community college, many of which allow senior citizens to audit classes for free or offer major discounts. Get a Part-Time Job Wait, isnt the whole point of retiring to stop working? Well, maybe. But getting a less-intensive, part-time job does have several benefits for retirees. Regardless of whether you need the extra cash, a part-time job can help you stay active and social. It can also provide a sense of purpose and routine found in work, which some people miss after retiring. Volunteer Doing good for others makes you feel good. Like a part-time job, volunteering can provide you with a sense of purpose, but theres also the bonus of giving back to your community. Search for volunteer opportunities at schools, nonprofits, houses of worship or animal shelters. No matter what you choose to do with your time, the important thing is that you have a happy and fulfilling retirement. Youve earned it. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
Creating a nostalgic feel is the perfect way to recall a bygone era and can be done in any room with these items. Jukebox A mint-condition jukebox is an entertaining statement piece that will never go out of style. Vintage Cameras Arranging vintage cameras from different eras on a shelf is likely going to evoke a response from visitors young and old. Arcade Games Create a fun vibe with arcade games and pinball machines, while also introducing your kids to a game that you can actually beat them in. Record Players Record players have proven to be irreplaceable thanks to their distinctly rich sound and beautiful aesthetics. Vintage Refrigerators Whether you put it in your kitchen, game room or garage, a vintage refrigerator lends an old-timey feel and pop of color to any setting. Published with permission from RISMedia.
When it's time to move, you need someone who markets your home, knows how to find the right buyer, negotiate on your behalf, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. We take care of everything you need buy or sell your Scottsdale home, from start to close.
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