by Karla Dennis | Feb 13, 2020 | Lifestyle
Valentine’s Day can be a very stressful time, especially when you’re tight on money or trying to figure out what to do year after year. Like many other holidays, the pressure can be tough trying to figure out what to do or buy. When in reality, Valentine’s Day should be focused on who you love and showing them appreciation. Below are tips for saving money, creating new traditions, or finding new ways to express yourself this Valentine’s Day. Cook dinner at home: Food is often the way to anyone’s heart. There is nothing more romantic or thoughtful than putting in the effort to cook for someone else. Think of your partner’s favorite meal or something they have been wanting to try. So many of us watch online recipes and never make them. This Valentine’s Day challenge yourself and create something delicious for your partner. Cooking can definitely be a challenge, especially if you don’t usually cook. However, doing something unexpected and challenging will seem even more special for your loved ones. Above is the average cost of Valentine’s Day dinner in 4 major cities. Cooking at home and buying the ingredients yourself can also be a way to save some money on that dinner and instead enjoy a nice dinner at home. Plus, that extra money being saved can still go into a beautiful gift for your partner. Another great tip would be for both of you to cook dinner together at home and make an afternoon of it. Cooking can be very relaxing and fun when you have someone else to help you. Open up a bottle of...
by Karla Dennis | Feb 6, 2020 | Lifestyle
Sleep schedules are referenced when discussing babies, toddlers, and children. It seems as if the older you get, the fewer sleep schedules are discussed. However, as adults, we need the energy to keep us going through work, school, or other life activities. Getting a plan going for bed can be difficult, especially when you have kids, pets, or other things going on. With that said, everyone should strive to have a healthy relationship with sleep and our routines. Sleep is especially essential for those that work long hours, exercise regularly, or want to lead healthier lives. The following are the five things everyone should be doing to fix their sleep schedule. read...
by Karla Dennis | Jan 30, 2020 | Taxes
Being an Uber/Lyft driver can be a very difficult job. The job does have benefits such as flexible scheduling, choosing your own hours, and getting quick money. However, there are many drivers who go out of their way to get a good score and make sure that their vehicle is in great shape. After all, your car is a reflection of the business you’re providing. Due to this, many drivers buy small amenities for their clients in order to boost their driving scores. If you are a driver, have you ever thought about how the things you’re doing can be tax write-offs? As a driver, you have certain tax advantages that you need to take advantage of today! read...
by Karla Dennis | Jan 23, 2020 | Lifestyle
2020 is upon us and like many people, we are all trying to live a healthy lifestyle. Trying to work out and live a healthy lifestyle can be costly if not done correctly. If you are trying to get healthier or create a budget for the new year: Here are some tips for how to save money! Toss that Gym membership if you’re not using it: Many of us decide to commit to going to the gym every year and probably are not going as often as we’d like. If your gym membership is only $20 a month if can be easy to forget about how much money you’re losing. However, this means within a year you are paying at least $240 and that is not even counting the yearly fee most gyms require their customers to pay. That’s roughly $350 you lost in one year from simply investing in something you never took advantage of. If the gym is not for you, you can always invest in a bicycle and ride around your neighborhood. You can also take walks around your neighborhood which can help calm you after a long day of work and benefit you physically. There are so many apps out now that can help you stay fit, right outside your door. read...
by Karla Dennis | Jan 16, 2020 | Financial Planning
The New Year Resolution You Should Have Every Year. Every New Year we tend to choose the same resolutions such as losing weight, being more active, or setting unrealistic goals. However, not too many people decide to make their resolution financial goals. Many people make goals but do not lay or plan how they are going to reach those goals. Financial planning is something that should be thought of all year and not just when things go wrong. This New Year Start a Budget…but First Reflect on the Past Year. The New Year brings a clean slate where we can plan and make adjustments. Setting a budget is important because it also makes us reflect on our spending habits from the last year. It is important to not only reflect on the previous year but to also take a moment to see where your money went to. Many bank apps now have features where you can see a breakdown of how much you have spent on different categories such as: eating out, bills, groceries, transportation, etc. Applications such as these can make it easier for you to see what you’ve spent, and how to adjust your spending for 2020. It’s never too late to set a goal for yourself. read...
