Once a staple of any well-dressed person’s wardrobe, the handkerchief has gone out of fashion as an accessory and as way to keep a hygienic nose. These small squares of cotton, linen or silk, however, can help save you money as well as save natural resources when they replace the box of paper tissues sitting on your counter. Handkerchiefs come in all shapes and styles: Men’s handkerchiefs, women’s handkerchiefs, cotton handkerchiefs, linen handkerchiefs and embroidered handkerchiefs all offer great style and are easier on your nose. Frugal families can also count on handkerchiefs to save money, which is nothing to sneeze at. To calculate how much money using handkerchiefs can save, do the math: Amazon lists a box of 280-count, two-ply white tissues for $3.69. A household with a family of four likely uses two of these each month, spending $7.38 a month. That’s $88.56 a year. In contrast, a $30 pack of a dozen handkerchiefs can last years with proper washing. Here is a selection of handkerchiefs that can save your family some cash during the cold and flu season, at allergy time or while delicately dabbing the tears from your eyes at a cherished niece’s wedding. JoS. A. Bank Cotton Handkerchiefs, for Men and Women JoS. A. Bank offers a “baker’s dozen” of these classic, hand-rolled, 100-percent cotton handkerchiefs. Each measures 17 inches square and are machine washable. The bright, white color adds to their timeless style. Price: $30 per baker’s dozen (13 hankies); shipping: $8.95. Floral Women’s Handkerchief for Lartisana A daintier size (13-inch by 13-inch) and a feminine floral design make these handkerchiefs a pretty addition to any women’s wardrobe. Handmade, machine-washable, 100-percent cotton with scalloped edges, these hankies cost $3 each. Shipping is $6.95. Make Your Own Linen Handkerchiefs Linen handkerchiefs are wonderfully light and soft, an attribute any cold or allergy sufferer with a stuffy nose will appreciate. An economical way to make a handful of linen handkerchiefs is to purchase a length of handkerchief linen, cut 17-inch-by-17-inch squares and sew in a small hem. Silk Road Fabrics sells delicate handkerchief linen in white, black, off-white and natural at $12.95 for a 60-inch-wide yard. Shipping varies. Vermont Country Store Embroidered Handkerchief A pretty embroidered white-on-white rose design graces these women’s handkerchiefs. The 10-inch square hankies are 100-percent cotton and available in a pack of 12 for $19.95; $6.95 shipping. via Arbitrage Bands https://www.arbitragebands.com/handkerchiefs-save-money-mens-or-womens-cotton-or-silk-embroidered-or-plain/
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Ten Honolulu Money Savers for 2009: Low- or No-Cost Guide to Transportation Food Lodging and Fun4/27/2018 It is possible to have a great time in Hawaii’s capital while keeping your vacation budget balanced. The following ten tips will show you how.
via Arbitrage Bands https://www.arbitragebands.com/ten-honolulu-money-savers-for-2009-low-or-no-cost-guide-to-transportation-food-lodging-and-fun/ Good money management is crucial, particularly when the financial climate is filled with uncertainties. And for families with bigger financial commitments, the ability to save, budget and manage debt effectively can have profound effects on the relationships between spouses and between parents and children. Families struggling to make sense of savings, budgeting and debts can try the following approaches to manage money more efficiently. Maximize Savings There are so many savings products offered by banks, but their interest rates vary not only from bank to bank but within the same bank itself. Generally, there are two main types of savings accounts – those with higher interest rates but with limited access and those with lower interest rates but with higher access. Families will benefit considerably if they get the access to interest rate balance right. Here’s what to do:
Start and Maintain Budgets Good household budgeting skills will certainly help improve financial confidence. And no, it’s not that daunting a task. Start by writing down household expenses over a fixed period of time. Categorize the expenses. For instance, divide items into “essentials” and “extras”. Essentials are for utility bills (water, gas, electricity, telephone and Internet), housing (mortgage or rent), groceries (food, beverages, toothpaste, and shampoo) health (prescription medication, eye care and dental care), transport (car maintenance, petrol and bus fares) and education (school fees, uniforms, books and stationary). Extras are for entertainment, holidays and gifts. Remember that a budget can change. What’s important is to keep it simple and easy to understand. These days, many free and user-friendly online budgeting tools are available to help people create and stick to their budgets. Check out bank websites or try the Understanding Money Budget Planner. They are extremely useful to help people start and maintain their budgets. Manage and Consolidate Debts Most families have multiple credit cards and loans. Each debt comes with an interest rate and various charges. By consolidating debts, families can save on interest. Do a credit card review to see if the annual fees, interest rates and other charges are too high. If they are, consolidate them into one single credit card. However, read the terms and conditions carefully and check validity of the balance transfer rates. Another approach is to consolidate multiple debts into one personal loan. This way, only one repayment is required each month, eliminating the possibility of accidentally omitting a repayment if there are multiple debts. Also, there is only one set of interest rate and charges to worry about. Smart household money management revolves around the ability to maximize savings, start and stick to budgets as well as manage and consolidate debts. It does take some research comparing savings products and interest rates; commitment in maintaining budgets and understanding fine prints but the efforts are worthwhile in the long run. via Arbitrage Bands https://www.arbitragebands.com/smart-household-money-management-how-families-can-save-budget-manage-debts-successfully/ Single Parenting and Money: Making Money Stretch Whilst Raising Children as a Single Parent4/23/2018 Many single parents find it difficult to keep afloat with their finances, let alone begin a savings plan. Cash goes into paying household bills, keeping food on the table and paying school and childcare fees. Saving a Small Amount Many people save whatever is left over at the end of the pay cycle. A more productive way is to stash a small amount in a different location at the beginning of each cycle, even a small amount of $20, into a separate account. Having this cash in another location takes away the temptation to spend it. Over time a small saving can mount to a mini holiday, a new television or an amazing christmas. Having a defined goal as to what this money is for makes saving first that much easier. Knowing Where the Cash Goes For a period of time, write down every single cent spent. Include groceries, coffee, bills, fuel, payments, the 50 cent lollipop bought to keep the kids quiet for a while. At the end of every pay cycle, make a spreadsheet of all expenditures, and possibly be surprised as to where the money is actually going. Strategic spending plans can be adjusted to work based on the figures collected. Many single parents have discovered that by taking their children shopping with them, they can spend up to $50 extra each trip. Writing down everything spent helps identify spending areas that can be modified. Blow the Budget Not literally. “Budget” is like “diet”. The motivation and the focus is there, but after a few days the will power tends to disappear and the binge begins. Look at this in a different way, there is have x amount coming in every pay cycle. Now plan how the money is going to be spent, this is called strategic spending. For example: $600 a fortnight for a single mother and her 3 year old daughter
This is not a budget, and although it looks and feels like a budget, it gives the flexibility and the choice of where money goes. Rent or mortgage payments, debt repayment like credit cards and personal loans would also be factored in. Clothes are a personal choice of whether they are factored in or not. Altering spending plans during sales time is a great way to include a clothing budget. Reducing Family Clothing Costs Switching fashionable and “must have” items for simple, stylish garments is a cost-effective way of freeing up household cash. Becoming more stylish will create a more versatile wardrobe that will last longer. Saving cash and then investing in a more expensive peice of clothing is actually more efficient than purchasing one cheap thing every fortnight. Plan clothing and wardrobe, make lists and stick to them when clothes shopping. Update seasonal looks with cheap costume jewellery, scarves and different hair styles. Get a Diary Note down when money comes in,and when any direct payments come out. If it can be arranged, have some money come out the same day the money goes into one’s account. For example, if a $700 payment comes in Wednesday midnight, have the savings amount come out automatically, loan repayments and any other fixed amounts come out first thing Thursday morning. This is one less thing to think about by having it automated, and possibly the money may not be missed. Speak to the bank for more information, direct payments are relatively simple to set up. Single Parenting and Money
Once a clear understanding of where household cash is going, necessary changes can be made. Feeling in control of spending can be created by knowing where the money is going, having automated payments and reducing amounts spent on unnecessary items. via Arbitrage Bands https://www.arbitragebands.com/single-parenting-and-money-making-money-stretch-whilst-raising-children-as-a-single-parent/ Saving Money at Home: Money Saving Household Tips are Budget Friendly Simple changes in the way certain household expenses are managed can add up to big savings over the course of the year. Compost and Recycle for Cost Savings Recycling and composting don’t just cut the impact of household waste on the local landfill. By cutting the amount of garbage to be picked up by a garbage hauler, these two simple acts can also have an impact on the household budget. Garbage collection fees by private haulers can range from $10 to $30 monthly. When more household items are going into recycling bins or a backyard compost pile, there is less garbage in the can. Why pay for the garbage hauler to collect just one or two bags? To save money, split the cost with a neighbor and share a garbage can, or consider cutting weekly garbage service to just once or twice a month. Sharing Plants Saves Money on Landscaping Instead of dropping money at the local garden center for new landscape plants this fall, look around the yard – or the neighbors’ yards – for plants that could be split or relocated. Popular landscape plants such as hostas, yuccas, sedum, lilies and various clumping grasses generally do well when dug up, chopped in half (leaving some root and some tops with each half) and replanted elsewhere. A vining groundcover that has become a nuisance in one yard can easily and cheaply fill a bare patch in another. In wooded areas, “volunteer” saplings, ferns, mosses and ivy may even be free for the taking and can easily enhance a bare yard for little or no cost. Another DIY landscaper tip: newspaper works as well under mulch as the weed barrier sheets sold in garden stores for a fraction of the price. Inexpensive Paint Saves Cost of Replacement If the shutters, the front door or the lawn furniture is looking worn, think repair rather than replacement. If these items are structurally sound but simply faded from summer sun and winter wind, an enamel-based exterior paint may be all that is needed to refresh the look without breaking the bank. A wide range of high-quality weather-resistant paints in a variety of finishes and textures can even offer a whole new look for the new season, at a fraction of the cost of replacing a single deck chair. To save money on heating bills this winter, re-caulk leaky windows and add new weather stripping to doors. Both are inexpensive fixes that can add up to significant savings. Cut Cable to Trim Entertainment Budget Finally, if the cable bill seems out of proportion to the amount of time the family spends enjoying cable programming, consider canceling the service and signing up, instead, to have select DVD programming delivered to the house. Companies such as Netflix and Blockbuster offer the opportunity to chose from thousands of movie and television titles for a flat monthly fee that is typically much lower than the cost of cable television (which often charges an additional fee for movies). Drastic times don’t necessarily require drastic measures. As belts tighten, it is likely that neighbors and friends are also looking for painless ways to cut back. Even small changes in certain household expenditures can add up to big savings – and perhaps even closer neighborhood relationships – over time. via Arbitrage Bands https://www.arbitragebands.com/saving-money-at-home-money-saving-household-tips-are-budget-friendly/ More than 36 million people visited Las Vegas in 2009, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Association. Free shows, excellent food, plush hotels and the sites and sounds of Vegas bring many people to the city for vacation each year. Though Vegas isn’t as inexpensive at it once was, savvy travelers can still find plenty of bargains. Save Money on Las Vegas Lodging
Save Money Gambling
Save Money Eating Out
Save Money on Las Vegas Entertainment
One of the best ways to find deals in Las Vegas is to ask. Vacationers can save money by asking hotels for the best deals, for coupons and for special breaks. Many money-saving bargains are available just for the asking. via Arbitrage Bands https://www.arbitragebands.com/how-to-save-money-on-a-las-vegas-vacation/ Walt Disney World is a great place to visit, but can be very expensive. Luckily there are ways to make a Disney trip much more affordable. Just a few cutbacks and changes in a vacation can save a ton of money. Places to stay. This can greatly change the cost of a trip. Walt Disney World offers many different resorts to stay in, with each of them falling in a different price range. Some of the rooms at Disney World can cost more than one thousand dollars a night, and others are less than a hundred. But these amounts can change dramatically through the year. During the Summer and the holiday seasons Disney charges more per night. This is called peak season. When Walt Disney World has low attendance they are more willing to offer rooms for a better price. With over 15 different resorts to stay at, it can be difficult to make a choice. But Disney offers a vacation planning video that gives a small tour of each one of them. Purchasing airfare. Buying an airline ticket is much cheaper when purchased months in advanced as compared to a couple of days before a trip. Some airlines might offer good deals the week of a vacation but might not have Orlando as a destination. There are also many websites that are dedicated to finding the best price on airline tickets. When a date has been selected, they will scour the internet to find the best deal. Some of these will also have coupon codes that can be applied at checkout. Vacation Packages Walt Disney World generally always runs some type of special. Occasionally they offer a free dining plan when buying tickets to the theme parks and staying at a Disney resort. A Disney dining plan can be used for food each day. One of the most expensive parts of a Disney vacation can be the food, but this dining plan will take that out of the equation. It can be used at almost all of the Disney restaurants on property. This is but one of the many vacation packages that Disney offers to the public. Some vacation packages might have to be purchased through a travel agent to receive. Disney Vacation Club Another great way to save is through the Disney Vacation Club. The Disney Vacation Club is different from what most people consider a timeshare. With the DVC, points are accumulated. Then can be spent on a Walt Disney World vacation, or many others for that matter. Points do not have to be used only at the Walt Disney World Resort. That is what makes the Disney Vacation Club so special. They are constantly adding new locations to travel to. Some of the locations include Hawaii, Greece, and Italy. After awhile, the initial money that was paid to join the DVC will end up paying for itself from traveling. via Arbitrage Bands https://www.arbitragebands.com/how-to-save-money-on-a-walt-disney-world-vacation/ One of the hardest things for a parent is to ask their children for money. They’ve always been the ones to solve their children’s financial issues, providing a loan, buying their kid his first car. But now, Dad and Mom are on a fixed income, and they may or may not have a retirement plan. When (not if) your parents need help with their finances, it can be a fine line to walk to “help” manage, rather than “take over” their money issues. At the beginning, it may be all they can handle to make you a signator on their checking account. Take baby steps and offer assistance rather than making an ultimatum. If it’s Dad’s idea, he’s more likely to let it happen. In our case, Mom wrote most of the checks and Dad often had no idea whether they had money or not – and she wouldn’t tell him. As Mom’s Parkinsonism progressed, it became more and more difficult for her to write, not to mention the stress of having too much month left at the end of the money. Making the Decision as a Family It’s crucial to be in agreement with your siblings before undertaking the monumental task of convincing your parents that they need some help with their finances. If one sister is against it, it can mess up the whole process.
We all got together on a conference call (we are seven) and discussed our parents’ needs and how best to address them. One sister had had most of the responsibility and needed help. We then approached Mom and Dad with the intent of relieving them of the stress of making ends meet every month – and it has been a process to arrive at the point where the income covers the expenses without excessive contribution from any one person. Whether their retirement plan covers monthly outflow or not depends a lot on how their financial life is structured, but the goal is to have a little money left at the end of the month. Get All the Facts About Parents’ Finances It’s a good place to start, but it still may be tough to get full disclosure of all the places they have money. Are there savings accounts? More than one checking account? Money Market, stocks and bonds, 401k or other retirement accounts? What about insurance policies? And how do recent events in the economic picture affect their hard-earned dollars? Stock Market Crashes If they do have a retirement plan it was probably invested in the stock market and may have lost a significant part of its value over the last couple of years. This can be terrifying. After all, this money was supposed to last them through their twilight years. And suddenly, it’s half-gone. If they have nothing but Social Security, that’s another whole issue, depending on whether both were covered or only one. In our parents’ generation, the norm was for Mom to stay home and take care of the kids. She may never have had a job outside the home – which means she also has little or no Social Security of her own. Where Does All Their Money Go I have a hard time keeping track of where all my money goes. Your parents may have trouble identifying their monthly obligations as well. For someone on a fixed income, that can be particularly problematic. Start with mortgage, utilities, insurance – both health and life, gas, groceries, car payments … add them all up. Don’t forget newspaper subscriptions, medications – which can be substantial depending on their health, satellite TV, internet (if they’re online – my dad is at 87), credit card payments, etc. You’ll need to make allowances for the things that are important to them, even if it’s not on your regular list, for instance, charity giving – like a monthly tithe to their church. Taking care of what they deem important will build their confidence in your management skill and make the transition easier. Monthly Bills Work Better Than Open-Ended Expenses Because Social Security is a monthly payment, try to get as many items payable monthly as possible. For instance, our local pharmacy doesn’t usually carry accounts, but they made an exception for us (it’s a little town, and we are good, regular customers). The grocery store was another matter. We solved that problem by creating another account, we call it the “Fun Money” account, for them to buy groceries. When I took over the checking account where their Social Security was deposited, I would make monthly deposits into Fun Money for them to go out to dinner, buy groceries (including “Depends” – which aren’t cheap), catch a movie and have “a little jingle in his jeans,” which was really important for Dad to feel in control. In exchange, we agreed that only I would write checks and make withdrawals from the “Bills” account – the one the Social Security went into. Dad keeps track of Fun Money and I write all the checks and reconcile the Bills account each month. Reducing Expenses and Getting Help From Other Sources This can be a tricky issue. We originally agreed to all contribute every month, but as financial crises hit various families, that doesn’t happen anymore. Fortunately, I was able to reduce many expenses, such as getting Mom off of two medications she didn’t need. (Watch for over-prescribing, making sure you know what each medicine is for and whether your parent still needs it – or if there is a generic equivalent.) They also applied for, and received a reverse mortgage for their house, eliminating the house payment. Understand that some siblings may be able to help, and others not. Try to not make it a guilt issue and cause hard feelings. Money issues can separate families quickly. It’s not worth it. Making It All Work Above all, try to be part of the solution, not the problem. Use tact and gentleness and remember how much they have given you over the years. Keep detailed records so they can see where everything went. It validates your efforts and gives peace of mind to both your parents and your siblings. via Arbitrage Bands https://www.arbitragebands.com/a-baby-boomers-guide-to-parenting-your-parents-money-matters/ All beaches offer opportunities for lots of fun. Yet often the activities include pricey stores, amusements, and food. Here are some easy and costless ways to enjoy the beach. Get Up Early to Watch the Sunrise One of the freshest ways to begin a day is by watching the sunrise. For beaches facing eastern shores, the sun appears to rise from the waters, casting a glow upon the horizon and reflecting in the waves or ripples. Even for those folks on beaches facing west, the sunrise can create magical moments and scenes. During this time, the day is still ahead. Watching the sunrise gives some time to consider all the ways to enjoy the day, The early morning literally casts a fresh light on life. Beach Activities Walking or running on beaches costs nothing, but the rewards are great. The sand provides great exercise. On ocean shores, the fresh scent of salt water can be invigorating. The crashing of waves sends an ocean spray to help cool and refresh. According to article “The Mental Benefits of Walking,” the many mental health benefits of walking-the brain boost, the soaring of spirits, the almost meditative state-are joined by physical benefits that include stronger bones and healthier hearts.
Some people like to wade in the water, while others enjoy the full immersion of swimming. Wading is a great way to enjoy the water without getting totally wet. With ocean tides coming in and out, wading takes energy, and offers chances to feel the sand washing over feet and legs. Swimming in the ocean is a challenging and exciting activity. The main rule is to never turn a back to the ocean, or risk getting dunked by a sudden wave. Despite the challenges, riding over the waves, or body-surfing into shore are the main ways to enjoy the summer day. Playing in the sand can adapt for all ages. Kids love to dig holes and tunnels. They spend hours making sandcastles. They love searching for pebbles or shells on the shore or in the surf. Grownups can participate in these activities, or just enjoy wiggling their toes in the sand and feeling the softening effects on the feet. Playing in the sand is one of the best ways to relax and enjoy the day. Enjoy the Weather Whether the weather is a cloudless blue or a stormy gray, the natural scenes is a source of pleasure. Of course, everyone hopes for good weather for the beach. Yet, the stormy weather can also be exciting from the safety of shelter. Beach storms, with blowing winds, dark clouds, lightening, thunder, and rain can all help cool hot days and bring a change of scenes. This is the time to play Clue, or tell ghost stories. Stay Up Late to Watch the Moonrise and Stars With clear weather, the evening celestial skies offers the cycles of the moon and the patterns of the stars. During full moons, enjoy the moonlight reflecting on the water. When the moon is waxing or waning, it’s fun to watch each night as the moonlight changes in lightness or darkness each night. Even on nights with no moon, the night sky gives dramatic scenes. Leave Only Your Footprints Many beaches now post signs asking folks to leave only their footprints. Many beaches also ban glass containers. Most beaches provide receptacles for things we are throwing away. In addition, more and more beaches offer recycling bins. While cleaning after ourselves might not seem like a fun activity, there can be real pleasure in knowing that these actions keep the beaches clean and fresh without costing a penny. via Arbitrage Bands https://www.arbitragebands.com/free-summer-beach-fun-while-saving-money-and-enjoying-summer-days/ Day Trading Tips: April 11, 2018Today’s Pick is: RSX Missed the last pick? Don’t worry, we have you covered. You can check our last post: https://www.arbitragebands.com/stock-pick-to-invest-now-april-10-2018/ or take a look at our video on youtube here: https://youtu.be/rjensWUUFzc
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