Ways to Earn Extra Income During a Financial Hardship

Life is much like riding a roller coaster with many ups and downs. Because of this, many people who don't have a budget in place, and live paycheck to paycheck, often experience a severe financial hardship that can be difficult to survive. The good news is that there are many ways to bring in additional money to help ease your financial woes.

Take Out a Loan

During an emergency, if you need access to funds immediately, you can reach out to a family member and ask to borrow money for a few weeks. If this is not something available to you, then you can apply for personal installment loans. In many cases, even if your credit isn't at the preferred level to lenders, these types of loans are easier to acquire.

Sell Things You No Longer Need

A fast way to put some money into your pocket is to sell things you no longer want or need. Check around in your attic, basement or garage and see what you have stored away. If you've resided at the place residence for more than a few years, chances are pretty good, that you have things that others will want to buy. You can have a yard sale or you can take advantage of the computer age and post pictures with a description online at sites such as Craigslist, eBay or the Facebook Marketplace.

Use Your Skills

Most people have acquired skills that they can use to earn additional income. Maybe you enjoy working on cars or you're able to fix just about anything around the house, like a handyman. There's an abundance of public need for services such as lawn care, babysitting and tutoring. You can also check online and apply to do things like take surveys or write for blogs. While they won't make you rich, they will supplement your income and help pull you over the hurdle.

Pay Your Bills on Time

Yes paying your bills on time saves you money, and surprisingly in more ways than you might imagine. When you pay them on time you don't incur a late fee and with some companies that can add up to hundreds over the course of a single year. Beyond the late fees, late payments can cause your credit score to take a hit. Suddenly, you are no longer on the "A" list for lenders so you pay more for things like a mortgage or a car loan and insurance. A low credit score can even prevent you from getting hired at a new company.

Trim the Fat

Every household has areas that need improving. When you find yourself in a tough financial time, trimming the waste can help you make it through. For instance, if you dine out or order take-out at least once a week, cut it back to once or twice a month. The same applies to buying coffee on the way to the office and eating lunch out.

Additionally, start paying close attention to your monthly bills, more specifically your cable bill. This is an excellent starting place for removing wasted money. Instead of paying for many extra channels, half of which you don't ever watch, remove them, and go to basic service until you free up monies to live more comfortably.

Most people will have a period of time in their lives where money is tight. Luckily, when these pitfalls occur there are ways to increase your income and continue to enjoy a comfortable life.

What You Can Buy with Frequent Flyers Points

Have a lot of frequent flyer points but don’t know what to do with them? If the answer is yes, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss the things that you can buy with frequent flyer points.

Booking a Flight

One of the most obvious ways in which you can use your miles is by booking a flight. It is recommended that you use these points for an expensive long distance flight, instead of a quick local flight that you can otherwise afford to pay for. It is recommended that you book it as early as possible, in order to get the best value for your points. If you aren’t sure how the point system works, it is recommended that you check out Pointsbank to increase your knowledge.

Use Them to Get an Upgrade

Another great way in which you can utilise your points is by using it to get an upgrade to business or first class. However, before you take any decision, it is recommended that you study airline alliances, so that you can make an informed decision. 

Add a Destination

You can enjoy a free stopover and visit that one city or country that you always wanted to go to. Most airlines allow you to do this, but again, it is a good idea to do your homework first. 

Use It as a Gift 

You can use these points to gift someone a free trip. Such gifts are always special, as it gives a new graduate the chance to explore the world, or newlyweds the chance to add a new destination to their honeymoon itinerary. You can also send other presents like flowers, by purchasing it from the airline’s website in lieu of your points. This is not recommended but it’s still an option you can consider.

Shop with Miles

A lot of people don’t believe in using your miles for merchandise, but there is no harm in checking it out. This is suitable for people who can’t take a trip and are getting near to the expiry date of the points. It’s better to buy something than waste your points.

Donate Your Miles to Charity

If you won’t be using your points, you can donate them to charity or welfare services such as Make-a-Wish - they help sick kids to travel to a place of their choice. 

Use as Employee Perks 

Another option is to use these miles as employee perks or rewards. 

What Not to Do with Your Frequent Flyer Points

Here is what you shouldn’t do with your frequent flyer points:

• Using them for auctions.

• Using these miles for hotel stays. 

• Using them for club lounge access.

• Using it for cheap flights. 

• Letting them expire.

• Waste them on fuel surcharges. 

So, there you have it. These are some of the things that you can buy with your frequent flyer points.

8 Facts About Moving Home That Might Just Help You

Moving home is something that the majority of the world will experience at least once in their lifetime, and it’s one of the most stressful things that you can do in your lifetime. Why? All of the planning, financial woes, packing, time off work, and many other assets contribute to the levels of stress that people experience when it comes to moving home. Here are 8 facts about moving that might just help you if you decide to move.

1. If you’re moving locally, it will cost you less to hire a removal company than it will to hire a truck and some help for the day. So if you’re moving soon and not too far away, it might be worth looking into seeing how much a removal company would cost you compared to trying to do it yourself.

2. Many people think that selling their home is as simple as putting it on the market and waiting for an offer. They don’t think about fees that come from estate agents, and documents that they need to fill out and sign. This blog shows how you can increase the value of your home to make it sell faster.

3. The months of May, June, July and September are the most common months to move home, especially for those of us that live in climates that tend to get very cold during the other months of the year. Nobody wants to attempt moving home in the snow and ice.

4. Did you know, that in America the average weight of a household is 6500 pounds? This might make you think twice about what to throw away when it comes to moving. Do you really want to shift that much weight around?

5. The biggest reason for people wanting to move home, in in fact young adults wanting to move out of their parents home to become more independant. Closely followed is not liking the neighborhood or to be closer to local amenities.

6. Moving is guessed to be the third most stressful thing to do in your lifetime, behind death and divorce. Make sure that the move you’re planning is right for you and your family before putting yourselves through any stress.

7. Worried about the cost of moving? The least expensive time to move is in the winter because of how cold it is. Removal companies tend to be cheaper around this time because of wanting to keep up a flow of clients.

8. Did you know that the majority of us forget to label our boxes when we move home? It might seem like a very trivial task, but it will save you a ton of time when it comes to unpacking. Even if you simply label the box with the room it needs to be in it will make your life easier.

Take on these 8 facts before moving home and see if you can use the information to make your move that little bit easier. Remember that it’s one of the most stressful things you can do, so take your time and enjoy your new home!

Prevent Medical Bill Nightmares With This Simple Guide

Medical bills are something that most Americans dread. They can reach into the hundreds of thousands, and there is often no choice as to whether to get the treatment or not, as it's vital for life. With over 50% of medical fee debt being related to prescription medications. That is drugs that a doctor has confirmed you need for a medical condition. This creates a big problem for many of us, even if we are insured. As unless we and those that we love have perfect health throughout their entire lives, we will be vulnerable to this issue at some point. So, if medical bills are keeping you up at night, read on to find some ways to minimize or avoid getting into a nightmare situation altogether.

The problem with medical bills 

One of the biggest nightmares that folks can experience with medical bills in the US is that the negatively affect their credit rating. This is because medical collections companies can be particularly strict about logging missed or late payments. As the amounts are so high with, so many people not being able to get anywhere near paying them off, the incidence of missed payments can be frequent.

Of course, this then affects the ability of the person whose account it is to get credit for other things in life such as loans, cars, and homes. Eventually in some cases leading to bankruptcy and further financial hardship.

Insurance

So what exactly can you do to avoid getting into this dire financial situation in the first place? Well, first of all, take out insurance. Yes, it's expensive, especially if you have a whole family to ensure, but when something does go wrong, as it is likely to, at least some of your medical bills will be covered. In fact, it usually works out that those that are insured are in debt to the tune of $10,000 less than those that aren't. Something that could definitely make the difference between being able to clear that debt and bankruptcy. 

If you are really struggling to pay personally for medical insurance, it may be useful to look for a job that includes this with the benefits package. In fact, some companies even offer coverage to their employee's families as well. Something that can make a big difference if the worst does ever happen.

Regular payments 

You can also help stay out of this nightmare medical bill situation by always paying the monthly amount on time. Yes, I know other things can get in the way, and may seem more pressing. Especially if you have already received the care and are fully recovered and feeling fine now.

However, as mentioned above nonpayment can get you into a whole heap of trouble, and damage your credit rating. So it's definitely worth setting up an automatic payment for just after you get paid each month. As then you can't even fall into this situation accidentally.

Disability applications

It may also be prudent to apply for social security disability if you continue to have medical issues that are stopping yours from working and causing you to struggle to pay your treatment bills. As the money that you get from this can help you stay on top of these bills, as well as your other financial issues like rent, groceries, and transport, even if you are unable to work.

To claim for social security disability, you must be over 18 years of age and have a serious condition that is expected to last over a year. You can apply online, although many folks become discouraged because they are worried they will be refused if they do make an application. Although to help you with this you can get some assistance from folks like the ones at LaPorte Law Firm, as they disability claim specialists. So they can help you file your claim, answer any question about the process, provide advice and give your application the best chance of it being accepted.

Medical tourism 

Something that is becoming more and more popular in recent years is US citizens going to other countries like Singapore, Brazil and Malaysia to get medical procedures done.

Known as medical tourism, this is something that many folks choose to do because it can be cheaper to travel abroad and get treatment. In particular, having a procedure like surgery abroad can cost significantly less than it would do in this country. That also includes the flights to and from your destination, and accommodation while you are there as well as the procedures, medications, and aftercare. 

Of course, there are some downsides to this too, in particular, the problem with communication that can become apparent when traveling to countries where English is not their first language. Something that can be pretty scary if your life is on the line.

However, the savings are so great for many that it makes this option something that cannot be ignored. As it becomes the only way to avoid the nightmare of medicals bill nightmares for the person involved. 

Get involved in the political issues 

Lastly, to help avoid the continuing issue of medical bill nightmares, it is important that you research the issue, and be proactive in using your voice to ask the government for change.

The real issue here is that while hospitals are allowed to set their own prices in a free market situation. So there will always be overcharging for essential medical treatments. This is problematic because it means that hospitals are profiting from people’s sickness. Something that doesn't happen in other countries in the world where their medical services are nationalized. 

Of course, the only way to change this is to make your voice heard and join in the appeal to Congress to change this system once and for all, for the better. To one where you don't have to face the choice between excruciating pain or death and bankruptcy. Where medical fees are standardized and affordable and not an additional burdensome nightmare that the sick have to shoulder along with their recovery.

CHILD’S EDUCATION – Spot-on Frugal Tips You Need to Know

It's the intrigue of parents to give a better education to their child. The structure of the public schools is not potent enough to nurture the child and the private schools are highly priced. The child's education can explore when there is a right augmentation of the present education system with the alternative options.

To up growth the child mentally and physically, educating in an apt way plays a very vital role. Education would not just help the child to discover and reinvent himself/herself but also support them in not being enforced to become something else. Parents should be avid to educate their child and they should be patient towards the child. The approach of the parents towards educating the child is the determining factor, whether the child will develop or get suppressed. Having the precise understanding of the child's mind-set and make the process easy and effective. Lack of this understanding has caused many children to perish. 

This calls the parents to develop a personal relationship with the child, parents play a crucial role in educating the child. They are the role model for the young mind. Parents are supposed to be keen observers of their child and they should be interested in every small thing that is related to the child's development.

Nowadays, parents can find a lot of tips for educating a child from all possible sources but it's the understanding of the parents about their child will help them find the way to educate the young mind. Spending time with the child and making the education process more like a fun than following some rules will help them develop confidence in himself/herself.

Here are a few frugal tips that you can use for your child’s education –

• Supplement the child’s current curriculum by home-schooling. This helps in nurturing the child in the right way. It gives the blueprint of the child merits and demerits. The parents avid to educate their child can go a long with right methods. 

•  Augmenting the child's education with a home base affordable and pocket friendly tutors will support and help in developing the child's mind-set as there will a mutual understanding between them. This, in turn, will help to keep a track of child's development. 

• Find some free online tutorials and content. There are a lot of websites that offer self-paced courses, where your ward can not only learn but practice the things as well. They take tests, give assignments, do it yourself type tasks and similar projects so that the child’s mind gets polished. But there is a big issue with this kind of study. If at any place the child gets stuck, it’s hard to resolve on time and this might stress out the child or make him/ her feel helpless.

• Take free help from your neighbours or friends. Send your child to different people every day and make them learn from different cultures and backgrounds. Although this can really be worth a try, and your ward may learn many new things from this. But still there is a big risk involved, and situations might sometime lead to very unpredictable outcomes.

• You may send your child to a local library and get them develop the love for reading and learning on their own. This might be really very helpful. But you cannot always keep and check and control as to what they are studying and what all information is getting into their heads

Ultimately, finding a cheap tutor comes out to be a clear winner. Finding a cheap tutor for the child is not a daunting task as there are many provisions to find tutors in the desired budget. Instead of waiting on the report card to keep you parents updated, you will have first-hand knowledge of the area in which the child is excelling and in which area that he/she needs attention.

The only challenge with this is to find the right tutor to educate the child. The demo class under the vigilance of the parents can help in finding the right the person for the task. Educating a child is more like preparing the field for the harvest and every stage in it is vital. The tuition like this will help in personality development and also give an opportunity to add an extra element to the child's curriculum.

Importance of Financial Planning at the Age of 25

It’s not easy being 25 – most people are just making the transition to adulthood, settling into their job and trying to propel their dream careers while still having to pay bills. It’s a time of great uncertainty & financial planning is not priority for many. All things in life require planning. A financial plan is just a step by step approach to meet all of your life’s goals taking several factors such as risk appetite and inflation into account.

It is only in their thirties that most people begin actively investing with clear financial goals. Very few start investing is stock market at this age.However, this is an opportunity lost – a costly one too as it is the power of compounding that kicks in with investing as early as 25, if not earlier. The longer your investment term, the more likely you are to reach your financial goal in time. With the power of compounding, not only does the corpus you invest initially give you returns, but the returns you earn are re-invested back into your corpus thereby giving you greater returns in the long term.

It is theoretically possible to build a far bigger corpus if you start financial planning at the age of 25, by setting aside a much smaller portion of your salary & a much lower risk profile. Even if you are not a savvy investor by 25, the importance of financial planning should not be lost on you. In fact, the more you take interest in financial planning, the better you get at it with age.

While preparing a financial plan, you should seek help from a professional financial advisor who can assess your risk appetite and accordingly decide your asset allocation. A good financial advisor will be responsible for the execution and periodic monitoring of the plan so you can focus on taking care of your family and meeting your personal & professional goals. Hence, it is important to understand the importance of a financial plan.

Stretch The Budget: House Bargain Tips

When you have finally crunched the finances, factored in your moving costs, and got your final figure that you can afford to spend on a new property, the hunt begins. 

This can be a pretty dispiriting time, especially as you find yourself constantly faced with more expensive properties that you would love but just can’t afford. It’s not a pleasant feeling when you feel your budget can’t move and there’s nothing to inspire you that you can afford - so how do you get the absolute most for your money?

Good Neighborhood; Low Price

We all know that where a house is located is as important regarding the purchase price as the actual construction of the property. So perhaps the best suggestion would be to look for lower-priced areas, even if it means sacrificing the things you want in terms of local connections and amenities.

That would work, but it’s always going to feel like a compromise. Instead, look for good neighborhoods such as those on http://www.manausa.com/southwood.php, but that also have more affordable offerings. They do exist; it’s vital you don’t just discount an area because you’re put off by the highest prices of the most expensive properties. Always look for smaller properties that might be able to give you the location that you want, for a price you can afford. 

Time It Right; Make Offers Correctly

The longer that a house has been on the market, the more receptive you will find the owners when it comes to making an offer. 

There is an art to making offers on property that have been on the market for awhile. You will sometimes see advice that suggests you should go in at a low price, but this can actually put the seller’s back up. If you make an offer that is so low to the point of feeling offensive, they’re not going to be receptive to future offers.

Instead, decide what you can afford, then offer around 15% below that. This gives you some room to manoeuvre if they counter-offer, but also should stop the offer being so low that it upsets the seller. You can also be sure that you’re going to be able to afford it should the offer be accepted, so don’t worry about making too high an offer - this is about affordability for you, not just hunting to get a good deal. 

Move At The Right Time Of Year

If you’re able to, try and time your move to coincide with autumn and winter. The property market tends to heat up around spring and summer, as families look to move before the onset of a new school year. If you can be hunting and making offers outside of this peak time, you not only lower the competition for good houses, but you also take advantage of the lower prices. 

At the very least, try and avoid May - according to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/, it’s the best month for sellers - which mean it’s going to be the most expensive time for buyers!

Avoiding Sticky Financial Situations: When To Seek Advice

There comes a time in life when many of us could benefit from expert help. Money is a worry for many people, but often, getting professional help at the right time can prevent sticky situations. If you’re keen to avoid difficulties and keep your finances on track, here are some scenarios when it may pay to seek advice from the experts.

Getting back into the black

If you have debts, no matter how large or small, seeing a financial adviser can be incredibly beneficial. There are some ways of getting out of the debt that are much more effective than others. You may be paying a huge amount of interest on a credit card, for example. Consider the option of shifting that balance to an interest-free card or paying off that debt and using the money you would normally pay out in interest every month to cover other bills. There are ways of restructuring your finances to get more for your money, and you may not be aware of these tricks unless you’re in the trade. If you have significant debts and you’re facing an uncertain future, it’s particularly important to seek help, as there are solutions out there.

Taking legal action

Losing your income can have a serious impact on your future. If you’ve been injured at work or you’ve been in an accident, which wasn’t your fault, it may be possible to claim compensation. If you’ve been forced to take a long period of time off work or even give up your job, sites like www.wyr-law.com can help you find out more about making a claim and finding the best personal injury lawyer. It is possible to take legal action without guidance, but the process is likely to be time-consuming, and if you’re already under a lot of stress, having experts in your corner can be hugely beneficial. You’ll have a better chance of winning your case and hopefully, securing a payout, which can give you security in the future.

Running a business

If you’re self-employed, you’ll soon find that managing your finances is very different to being employed and receiving your salary via a direct payment into your account each month. You’ll need to take control of your books, work out how much tax you need to pay and show evidence of deductible expenses. If you’re new to the world of self-employment, it’s a good idea to get some advice when you’re working out tax calculations and organizing your accounts, and pages like this may prove useful https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250812. Working with an accountant will eliminate stress and hassle, save you time, and ensure you’re doing everything in the right way. 

Nobody wants to think about a time when they’re faced with debt, losing their job or worrying about the tax inspectors coming knocking at the door. The reality is that these scenarios could affect anyone. In some situations, you’ll find it much more beneficial to seek help than try and battle on independently. Getting expert advice can make life a lot less stressful and improve your chances of reaching a positive outcome.

How To Pay For Massive Medical Bills

Medical bills can be a huge burden on your finances. Especially when they’re large, and you need to pay them ASAP. What do you do when you have massive medical bills that need paying? Well, here are some thoughts on the matter you may find helpful:

Use Your Insurance

Seeing as our public healthcare is a bit of a mess right now, it may be beneficial to take out a health insurance policy. Mainly, this is because your insurance provider can help with the costs of your massive medical bills. They may cover you up to a certain amount, which provides you with a nice little safety blanket. It may transpire that your provider covers the total cost of your bill, which completely takes any stress out of your hands. But, even if they only cover a portion, it should at least lighten the load on your personal finances. A massive medical bill is turned into a smaller, more manageable, medical bill thanks to your insurance.

See If You Can Claim Compensation

There are many cases where you might end up in the hospital with a serious injury as the result of an accident. Maybe you got injured at work or ended up in a car accident? The fact is, any personal injury lawyer will tell you that you can claim compensation if you’re injured, and the cause of the injury was someone else’s fault. If this applies to your situation, you need to find a lawyer and start working on a claim. Hopefully, you can gain compensation which will cover the cost of your massive medical bill, leaving you in a much more comfortable position.

Consider A Personal Loan

Personal loans are there to help you in times of need. If you feel as though you don’t have the funds to pay your medical bill in full, you may need a loan to help cover the costs. So, head on down to your bank and speak to someone there about getting a personal loan. They’ll ask all sorts of questions and do a credit check to ensure you’re eligible for a loan. In a situation like this, when you’re getting a loan to pay for medical bills, they will usually approve it quite quickly. Then, you have more freedom to pay the loan back, as the bank lets you pay in installments while the hospital demands the same amount of money all at one time. 

Ask Friends/Family For Help

Nobody likes asking others for help, particularly when the help you need comes in the form of money. However, if you’re struggling to pay your bills and need an extra bit of cash, it might be worth asking those closest to you. Your family may be willing to help you out without needing anything in return. After all, they care for you, and this is a medical bill, so it’s important. 

Any of these ideas could help you pay for your expensive medical bills. You’ve already suffered enough being in the hospital, don’t let your finances suffer as well.

Drowning Financially? Here’s How To Swim

For one reason or another, you may find yourself suffering financially at some point in life. When you feel like you're sinking in finances that you can’t keep on top off, it can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t mean that you have to face them alone or accept that your situation will be the same for life. Instead, you can make a change and turn your financial life around. Whether you’re not earning enough or spending too much, the first thing you need to do is work everything out, and then you start to take action.

Know What You Spend

As soon as you realize that you’re in a bit of financial pickle, you’re going to want to do what you can to get out of it. But the first step towards making that happen is to look at your finances in terms of what you spend. You may think you know where your money goes, but you can be surprised when you look into it. So you need to look at all of your expenditure. That way, you can work out how much you spend each month in order to cut it down.

Cut Down Bills

Now that you know where your money is going, you can start to think about saving money on your monthly expenses. Firstly, you can weed out any of the unnecessary expenses that you have, like coffee or eating out too much. Then, you’re going to want to look at your monthly bills to see if you can reduce them too. From TV subscriptions to car payments, is there a way that you can reduce the amount you pay? You’re going to want to speak to each company to find out.

Reduce Debts

When you start to save money on what you’re spending each month, you could be getting yourself into less debt, especially if your monthly expenditure is now under your monthly salary. But, if you are in debt, no matter how big or small it may be, you’re going to want to start getting that down - especially if you want to save for old age anytime soon. Start by paying off debts with the highest interest rate and keep going until they are all gone - whether it take two months or two years.

Start Saving

Next up, whenever you find that you have some money to spare, you’re going to want to make sure that you can save a bit of money for a rainy day. You might even want to speak to a financial advisor at this point, just to see if you can find a savings options that suits your needs. With lower expenses and no debt, the savings world will be your oyster.

Be Conscious

However, even you do manage to get back control of your finances and start to save; you should still be very conscious of what you’re spending and what money you have. If you have struggled in the past, you could struggle again - regardless of how much money you earn in the future.

5 Clothing Hacks that Help You Save Even More

The saving savvy trendsetter prides herself on finding a good bargain. She always spends under her budget while maintaining a unique style and look. You want to reach the same level of saving success. You already know the basics of thrift store shopping and sales hunting, so now you want to elevate your bargain quest to the next level.

The following shopping hacks will help you stock your wardrobe with classic, durable, and beautiful basic and statement pieces. 

1. Clearance Rack

Wait before shopping the clearance aisle: you save even more when you wait until the second round of clearance markdowns. Also try waiting for a Buy One Get One Free sale, because it often increases clearance savings by more than half. 

Avoid buying last year’s major trend, unless you already frequently wear that style of clothing. Otherwise avoid any trendy items because they usually fade and lose their appeal in a few years. Instead, stock up on the timeless basics like jeans, shirts, tank tops, and cardigans.

Clearance items often vary by store. Therefore, remember to check the online clearance section of your favorite stores and their physical counterparts.

2. Daily Deal Sites

Groupon is just one of the many daily deal sites that retailers and brands use to quickly sell some of their items. These sites offer everything from dresses to bras. Fitness wear and accessories are one of the most popular clothing items on these sites. 

Subscribe to receive daily emails. Read them at least once a day. Also visit the website at least once a day to check out the complete list of items offered in the clothing and accessories sections.

3. Shop Out of Season

Shop for your winter wardrobe in spring, and your summer one in fall. The previous season’s leftover stock gets a huge markdown right at the start of a new season. The discount becomes even greater if the new season starts right around a holiday.

Plan at least two out of season shopping trips every season. Visit a store a week or two after a new season begins, and a few weeks before it ends. A shopping trip at the beginning of a season allows you to get the best of the leftover stock. Shopping at the end of a season lets you get even better deals off the remaining stock, and you also find some of the newly clearanced items from the current season.

4. Grab the Lookbook

Do a little research to find out if your favorite stores distribute a lookbook about their current collection. Many major retailers make these booklets but vary on which customers get them. Some retailers give them to anyone who signs up for the mailing or emailing list, but others only give them to customers who previously purchased from their store. 

These lookbooks are valuable because they provide deals and coupons. These deals may include things like a free item with purchase or a coupon that lets you take off $50 for every $100 that you spend.

Sometimes even if you cannot get these lookbooks, sites such as Groupon, provide the same coupon codes that you find in these booklets.

In general, always check Groupon coupon section before shopping at your favorite clothing retailers, especially more expensive ones like Harry and David. 

Additional Tips

● Shop quality not quantity 

● A well-made item is an investment

● Wash your clothes less to preserve and increase longevity

● Avoid polyester, instead go for natural fibers and blends.

It Pays To Look After Yourself

It's very easy to take our body, spirit, and health for granted nowadays, isn't it? With plenty of reasons to stress out - we can really take our bodies for a wild ride as we attempt to 'relax'. The thing is - if you don't look after your mind and body, you aren't just wasting your health, you could be wasting money.

Stress is key. We need to focus on getting rid of it or dealing with it. For some reason, people don't think stress hurts - in fact; many people believe they thrive under pressure. While this may be true, it isn't always the case. The negative effects of stress simply aren't worth short term success. Stress can remove mental barriers, making it easier than ever to lose control and blow your top. Stress can also help you get ill; it leads to heart disease and strokes. It can ruin your relationships with friends and family, it can make you unproductive and unhealthy, and it can ravage your body. Stress also opens the gates to your body. It lowers your immune system and will ensure that you become more open to illness. The demands of stress overworks the human body, and usually, stress comes at a time when the human body needs to be at it's best. Stress is a problem that can lead to hospital time and a loss of a job. It simply isn't worth dealing with, so find the time to relax and get rid of stress. Otherwise you could pay in more ways than one.

Relax in the right way - try to do some yoga, or chill out. Don't binge on bad foods. While you don't need to cut meat out your diet, eating healthy foods can keep your gums and teeth in working order and ensure your digestive system isn't suffering. Healthier food is usually cheaper in the long run anyway. Pay your body back by eating good food to fuel it, or you could be paying a lot of money simply to unclog yourself. Fitness is also a good idea - it gets rid of stress and keeps you fit! Amazing.

Looking after yourself? It also means sticking up for yourself. If you've been hurt by someone, or work - getting in touch with personal injury lawyers can save the day. If you're dealing with too much stress, you might have to say no to some of your workload, especially if it is beyond your remit. Life is too short to give 100% at all times, especially if that 100% is killing you. It isn’t worth it at all.

Looking after your body is super easy if you put your mind to it. Take life easy and look after yourself. One of the biggest wastes of money that you can bring into your life is the money used to fix issues with medication and medical bills. These issues can be avoided by taking good care of your body and interests. Save money the best way, by looking after yourself.

Don't let your heating bills get you down

Once winter has set in the seemingly unstoppable rise of our heating bill becomes a harsh reality. Of course we do what we can, we put on another jumper and wear thermal underwear, but British winters can bite hard, and often such small measures are mere drops in an icy ocean. But we mustn't allow heating bills to get us down, let's do what we can to drive down costs whilst keeping nice and warm.

Cheap, easy fixes

There are plenty of simple, easy measures we can take that will make a positive difference to our bills. Start off by turning down the heating thermostat at home. It is estimated that savings of up to three per cent can be achieved with each degree it is lowered. Small adjustments to the ambient temperature will be unnoticeable, so this is a great way to start off the savings. If the house is empty during the day whilst residents are at work, turn down the heating, and by doing the same at night when everyone is asleep, cost savings can really build.

Other easy, cost free tips to try include minimising the use of kitchen and bathroom extractor fans. Not only do they eat power, they rapidly push warm air out of the house. If there are rooms that don't get used, switch off the heating in there to save money. Old, unused fireplaces can look attractive but they are terrible for sucking out warm air and sending it up the chimney. Install a chimney balloon to insulate the chimney and keep precious heat in the room.

Doors and windows

These are one of the problem areas for heat loss and the more that can be done to insulate and minimise draughts, the lower the heating bill will be. Of course, doors and windows need to be opened, but when they are closed, they should be airtight. Invest in insulating solutions like expanding foam and draught excluder strips to keep out the cold air. Older houses can be hard to insulate and really benefit from shutters to give an extra thick layer of protection. Not only do wooden shutters help keep the temperature up, they give extra privacy and security whilst looking stylish. Fitting made to measure solid shutters on awkward shaped, draughty windows can really change cold spots in the house to places of warmth and comfort.

Other bill bashing tips

Be proactive about finding the best energy supplier. There are better deals out there but it is not in the energy company's interests for them to be easy to find or understand. Gone are the days when we used to stick with one energy supplier forever, now we can shop around, negotiate and play suppliers off against each other. Sometimes it's possible to find deals which lock in to a competitive tariff for a couple of years – this type of offer can be very attractive as it gives protection from imminent price hikes.

Keeping warm in the winter can be quite a challenge, but putting all of the above suggestions into practice guarantees savings on the heating bill. So don't let the winter heating bills get you down, turn the tables and let's get them down.