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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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At the paint store coffee pot, Brian's 2019 painting predictions…

Two days ago, I was dropping of flyers at local paint stores about the 2019 Painting Profits Summit.

There was a little bit of a line to talk to the clerk, so I got a cup of coffee and spoke to an owner named Brian for a while about what he thought the new year held for painters in general and his business specifically.

His predictions were – sadly – spot-on as the conversation continued…

Brian was what I call vaguely optimistic and hopeful about good things happening in his painting business in 2019. He told me he thought his sales would be up and things would be better.

He had been in business for eight years in our local Chattanooga market.

About this time, I found myself doing something that wasn't really my place to do.

You see, I'm a coach and a problem solver by trade. It's how I make my living and I'm really good at getting positive results for painters.

So, before I knew it – almost reflexively – I'm quizzing Brian about the things that matter most for 2019 business improvements. A quick “systems pulse check” if you will:

“So, Brian, what will you do differently in 2019 with your…”

“…Sales + Estimating System?” Brian says, “The SAME…”

“…Online + Offline Marketing?” Brian says, “No plans to change…”

“…Crew + Office Management?” Brian says, “About the SAME…”

“…Education + Time Management?” Brian says, “Too busy…”

“…Hiring + Recruitment of Painters?” Brian says, “You can't find good help…”

Finally, I asked Brian… “If I worked for you as a painter and I had done a terrible job painting a house, would you expect me to do it differently on the next project – or do the exact same thing and blindly hope for a better outcome?”

Brian said, “You'd have to do it different. I'd make you do it different.”

I asked, “What if I didn't? Would it change?”

Brian answered, “No. No, it wouldn't.”

I took a sip of my coffee and said, “Brian, bud, if you do the same thing in 2019 you've done the past eight years, will you get about the same result?”

Sheepishly he nodded.

I handed Brian a flyer to the 2019 Painting Profits Summit and asked him to look into joining us.

Sadly, Brian's initial outlook and plan of action for 2019 is representative of 95% of our industry. Vague optimism and hope that rarely amounts to much.

However, after being asked a few sensible questions, his prediction of achieving the same results without significant changes in his business became obvious to him. After working with hundreds of painters, I can tell you his last pronouncement was accurate.

I shouldn't write this, but I feel sad for Brian.

Chances are, he'll never make a change… even though opportunity stood next to him at a paint store coffee pot, presented him with a reasonable way to look at his business, then handed him a personal invitation for an amazing opportunity.

Guess what?

You don't have to think like Brian. If you've read this far, chances are you don't.

I'd like to invite you – personally – to join me at the 2019 Painting Profits Summit.

I want 2019 to be your best year ever… and that requires a change!

Email or call with questions! I can't wait to see you there! BL

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The post At the paint store coffee pot, Brian's 2019 painting predictions… appeared first on The Academy for Professional Painting Contractors.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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A Dutch Lament: Where oh Where Is PokerStars Located?

In a few weeks I'll be publishing my list of where online gambling sites are located. A question that arose in the Netherlands is in regards to the location of PokerStars, the largest online poker site. An excerpt from my 2018 list shows:

PokerStars Rational Entertainment Enterprises Limited dba PokerStars Douglas Bay Complex, King Edward Rd Onchan, IM3 1DZ Isle of Man

PokerStars.eu Rational Gaming Europe Ltd dba PokerStars.eu Villa Seminia, 8, Sir Temi Zammit Ave Ta'Xbiex, XBX1011, Malta

Why is this a big deal? Taxes.

PokerStars.com is based on the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown Dependency. It is not part of the European Union. The Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea. Malta is another island; it's located near Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta is a member of the European Union. PokerStars.eu is based in Malta. This matters for taxes in the Netherlands. If you're a resident of the Netherlands and you play on PokerStars.com, you owe 29% tax on your winnings; however, if you play on PokerStars.eu, you don't. Needless to say, Dutch residents play on PokerStars.eu.

Except the Dutch Tax Office disagreed. They held that since PokerStars.eu is owned by the Rational Group (the parent of PokerStars), and the Rational Group is based on the Isle of Man, that playing on PokerStars.eu is still playing on a site outside the European Union and 29% tax is owed. A District Court agreed with the Dutch Tax Office. That decision was then appealed to the Court of Appeals in 's-Hertogenbosch.

That court reversed the ruling (link is in Dutch). The ruling, as best as I can determine, states that the place of establishment of the holder of internet poker (here, Malta) is decisive for the classification as domestic or foreign game of chance and, thus, taxation of play on PokerStars.eu violates the Treaty Establishing the European Union. The decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court of the Netherlands but for now, playing on PokerStars.eu is tax-free.

News Story (in English): Dutchnews.nl

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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How Much Does Landscape Design Cost?

How Much Does Landscape Design Cost In Portland

Sample Landscape Design

Updated 12/18 to reflect the current cost of landscape design.

When you hire a landscape designer you are paying them to develop a plan for your property. This usually involves drawings that show your landscape from above. You can see placement and relative sizes of proposed elements. Plants are placed, lighting fixtures are specified- the irrigation system layout may even be involved. This design, once in hand, can be given to licensed landscape contractors to bid and install.

But what does it actually cost to get a landscape design completed?

In general, a full landscape design will cost $500 - $5000. (Ross NW Watergardens usually charges between $1500 and $3000.) Some landscape designers charge an initial consultation fee, ranging from $100 - $250. (We have no initial consultation fee.) What factors affect price?

Modern Landscape Design by Ben Bowen of Ross NW Watergardens

The designer's credentials. Landscape designers can become accredited or certified through a number of organizations. These can be an indicator of experience and skill- they are definitely a cost, which probably gets reflected in their price. A landscape designer with a long career, good reputation, established network, and impressive portfolio is certainly going to cost more. And if your designer is actually a landscape architect, then expect to pay towards the high end of the range above.

Your property. Large properties require large amounts of time at the drafting table or computer and will cost more. Properties with a lot of slopes, existing mature landscapes, extra environmental concerns, or other challenges will push the price up.

Your desires. Sometimes clients call looking for a landscape design, but really just need a planting plan. Basic improvements can be easily worked out and are towards the lower end of the cost spectrum. If you want an outdoor kitchen, deck, water feature, lighting, shed, and whatever else? That's a lot of moving parts and the design fee will reflect that.

Landscape style. Purity is one of the most expensive things in design. An authentic English or Japanese garden takes a lot of knowledge, planning, and skill. A design that prioritizes modern lines, native plantings, wildlife, or low water use narrows options and challenges a designer. We enjoy these kinds of challenges- but they come at a cost.

There are obviously a lot of factors that effect what you pay for a landscape design. But, with the knowledge above you at least have an idea of what your design project could cost. The only way to find out for sure is to contact a local landscape designer and ask!

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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Raw raspberry + dark chocolate ice cream bites

Hi! I hope your year has got off to a good start? We're still in full summer-chill-mode around here. Most days I'm still in my pj's nearing lunchtime, unless it's full tide... then we're at the beach. I've also been hanging out in our veggie garden as much as I can, but more on that next week. I'm just stopping in real quick today to share this recipe, which is PERFECT for this time of the year. I shared it over on my Instagram feed at the end of last year, but it's so good I also wanted to share it here so it's easy for everyone to find in years to come. I put a call out on Instagram last week asking what kinds of things you'd like to see on here this year. Last year I sadly barely had time to even think about this space, but I'm going to try my best to change that this year (no promises, but I will try!). I'd love to hear your thoughts below in the comments, let me know the kinds of recipes you like to see, whether you'd like me to start sharing more about our veggie garden or […]

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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Glowing Christmas Lights Night Tour

There's nothing more magical then twinkling Christmas lights and this marks the fourth year of sharing my glowing Christmas lights night tour that positively sparkles. Cozy up by my roaring fire and enter this magical winter wonderland. Don't miss the end of this post where I link to 20 other bloggers who are sharing their […]

The post Glowing Christmas Lights Night Tour appeared first on Kelly Elko.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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Bottling it up

The road to vermouth does not always involve sorrow. I had not stayed with my father the night he died. He was alone. I had not known he would be, but the night before, when Vince and I left the hospital, my body collapsed in grief. It knew, if I wasn't sure, that I would not see him alive, again. I never cried in the room with him - I never wanted him to see that sorrow, or to feel anyone else's stress. And so at unexpected times in those five days I would have to pull the car over, or risk accident. When the call came to the house in the 4.30am dark, I went to sit with him for the last time. The small dark nursing sister was there, and I was glad she had been on duty. Looking up into my eyes, she held my arm firmly and told me she was sorry. On a previous night, she had held my shoulder with that same firmness as I sat beside him, reading him childhood stories, from books whose pages were falling apart. The ward staff were kind. The previous day I was brought a tray of coffee, and asked if I would prefer hot or cold milk. And there was a cookie. I don't like cookies, but I ate that one, very carefully. Immediately afterwards, that final morning, the shocking bureaucracy and decision making of death evicted any possibility of mourning. But in the blank days after my father's cremation, and when my husband's warmth had returned to New York, I began to gather wild flowers and fynbos herbs from the mountain, the surrounding green spaces, and my mother's garden. In small jars each plant began infusing in good vodka. Elderflowers and wild plums began to ferment. On the last day of 2018 I blended and bottled the vermouth. That year is over. And from its end there is a local alchemy that tells the story of this Cape Town summer. Vermouth captures time and place like nothing else I know. When I open it in Brooklyn, sometime in a new year whose days remain to be filled, I know I will cry.

__________________________

Forage, Harvest, Feast

(Yes, there is a vermouth recipe)

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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Do Gutters Increase Home Value? Here's How Top Appraisers Assess the Water Shields of the House

Gutters are the unsung heroes of real estate. They don't earn compliments like a property's gorgeous landscaping or the rustic tile selection of your master shower will. But without them, a home's structural integrity is at risk.

Every day 14,000 homeowners face water emergencies while 37% have claimed losses due to water issues. Meanwhile, homeowners insurance companies pay out $2.5 billion in water damage losses every year. Gutters serve the critical role of pushing water where it needs to be: away from the house to avoid foundation erosion and roof leaks.

“When I go out to appraise a property for a lender, they will almost never lend on a property that doesn't have gutters and downspouts that are functional,” said Jerin Harper, a home appraiser in Oregon with a decade of experience.

“In this instance, I would be required to provide a 'cost-to-cure,' which is an estimate to install or repair gutters and downspouts. The cost-to-cure figure can then be subtracted from the overall home value.”

So do gutters increase home value? Not exactly, because they're like the tires of a car: buyers expect a property to have them in good working condition, or they'll pay less for it. We'll help you get up to speed on homeownership and gutters with insights from top appraisers around the country who explain:

How gutters shield the house from ice dams and foundation problems

The numbers on dirty or damaged gutters and how they detract from your home's value

Pro tips on gutter material selection, installation, and add-ons to maximize ROI

Gutters as guardians of the house: Protecting against ice damming and foundation erosion

Imagine you're sitting in your living room on a chilly winter day watching television, when suddenly you feel a drop of water on your head. And then another, and another. You look up to find a wet patch spreading out on your ceiling just above you.

Or, picture this: It's been a stormy few days with lots of rain. You go outside to clean up after the storm and to your horror, find that some of your foundation has washed away-but only in one spot that should have been difficult for the water to reach.

The culprit in both situations? In most cases, bad gutters. Properly constructed and clean gutters are essential to preventing water damage to your home.

The first scenario likely due to an issue called ice damming on the roof, where the water melting from a warmer part of your roof can't escape. This typically happens when gutters haven't been cleaned out properly, the water freezes, and then the ice accumulates under your shingles, melting and damaging the attic or ceiling in your home.

The second scenario could be thanks to a broken gutter or a missing downspout-the water is dumping down onto your foundation instead of getting pushed away from the house.

“You need to have gutters because you're going to start affecting your foundation significantly if you don't direct water away appropriately,” said Brett Young, a top-selling agent in Indianapolis. “It's not an option out here, honestly. If you're buying a house that doesn't have gutters on it, it's probably because it's a bank sale home and it's all beat up.”

Granted, some locations don't need gutters as much as others-like Arizona, for example, where Young used to live.

Some homes out there didn't have gutters and it wasn't a big deal, essentially because it's the desert and there's just not that much rain. But even in that situation, it's better to have them rather than not, just in case a storm comes through that is strong enough to damage your home.

No gutters (or gutters in poor condition) will detract value from your house

Not only will a lack of gutters or ones with issues hurt your home and affect the sale, it could also actively lower your home's value.

Whether you don't have any gutters or the ones you have are dirty, broken or improperly attached, you're compromising the longevity of the home by leaving it open to other problems. And those problems will have an effect on the appraisal when you're trying to sell.

Harper notes gutters in poor condition could detract between $500 and $1,000 from the value of an average-sized house with a straightforward installation by a professional.

“Gutters are part of the real estate, but there's not a specific adjustment line for gutters,” said Michael Keough, a 30-year residential home appraiser in New Jersey. “If the lack of gutters is ruining something, you'll detract from that item.”

In some cases, the missing or damaged gutters can even end a sale before it begins.

Good gutters will attract buyers but don't necessarily add value

All that being said, gutters themselves typically won't increase the value of your home. They're standard, especially in areas with a lot of rain, and having them isn't anything special.

“People don't just normally install gutters for the aesthetics of the gutters,” said Edmond (Buddy) Eslava, a nationally renowned appraiser with the Appraisal Consultant Group in the Mobile, Alabama. “If you needed them and didn't have them, it would detract value. But having them won't add value.”

You can, though, add overall perceived value to your home based on the gutters themselves. Our experts shared some tips on what to do to make your gutters work for your home sale.

Make sure your gutters are installed properly.

There are two important pieces to this equation. Proper gutter installation means making sure the water is being diverted far away enough from the house so no damage is sustained around the foundation or on the siding.

But you also have to make sure they're level-meaning no water is left to pool up in them with nowhere to drain. If that happens, they can start to draw an accumulation of mosquitos and other nasty bugs or cause ice damming.

Match your gutters to your home.

Just like any other part of your property, including outbuildings, shutters, garages, and even gazebos, you'll want to make sure the color and size of your gutters are appropriate for your home.

For the color, typically the gutters will be the same color as the outdoor trim. As far as sizing, Young notes that the standard size used to be four inches, but now it's up to six inches-so get the larger ones.

Eslava agrees, noting that eight-inch gutters are available too, and you should opt for those ones instead of the six-inch. But, if your house is a bit smaller and the large gutters would look out of place, then stay with a smaller size.

It's also critical to have enough downspouts. The general rule is one downspout for every 35 or so feet of gutter.

Stick with the standard gutter materials.

Seams are out. If you want gutters that will bring value to your home, skip them and go for a seamless option. It looks tidier and more professional. Typically, gutters are metal or aluminum; the actual material doesn't matter much as long as the gutters are sturdy, functional, and match your house. Each material does have pluses and minuses, though.

Aluminum: These resist corrosion and are relatively inexpensive, plus they're lightweight and the standard material. But they can have strength problems and may break under pressure.

Metal, like copper or steel: These types of gutters are heavy, expensive, and difficult to install. But they're stronger than aluminum and work well for matching a certain aesthetic on the outside of your home.

Vinyl or plastic: These are generally the cheapest type of gutter and they're easily installed, but they come with several drawbacks. They can discolor easily, and they're the weakest of the top three options.

Get gutter guards: Gutter guards are covers that go over your gutters to stop junk from building up inside them. These are your first line of defense if you live in a heavily wooded area or have a lot of trees near your house.

They'll stop leaves and sticks from getting in, and will keep squirrels and their seeds out-so you don't have to worry about looking up one day to see a patch of sunflowers sprouting from the edge of your roof. As a plus, Young says having gutter guards could add value to a home appraisal.

Skip the rain collection system: Well, unless you really want one. Young says that he's never seen a rain barrel or rain collection system add to the actual value of the house-though some buyers may like having it. Some won't, though, so go with your personal preference on this one.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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Paleo Skillet Banana Bread

This Paleo Skillet Banana Bread is a lighter version of traditional banana bread. Made with less sugar and in a skillet, you need to try this recipe!

Oh look, a breakfast/dessert recipe! Many of you requested dinner recipes so I've been doing my best to bring you a ton of whole30 dinners, but the second most requested food item was desserts (I know banana bread is technically a breakfast recipe, but I always end up eating it for dessert, so let's call it both). However, since it it is January and all, I figured we'd start with something a little bit lighter, like this paleo skillet banana bread. Deal? Deal.

A part of me thinks that we don't need another banana bread recipe. After all, this almond banana bread is typically my go-to. But, when it comes to healthier baking, I think the world can always use MORE recipes. I like this paleo skillet banana bread because it's something a little bit different and a great excuse to bust out your favorite cast iron skillet.

I've mentioned before that I'm not 100% confident in my gluten free baking abilities; therefore, rest assured this recipe has been tested a handful of times. I originally wanted to use almond flour because it's my favorite gluten free flour, but I just couldn't quite get it right. So, I opted to use coconut flour, which is almost always my second choice. Luckily, the coconut flour worked out perfectly, resulting in a FLUFFY skillet banana bread recipe that is surprisingly sweet despite the low sugar content.

For this recipe, you'll need three ripe bananas, though don't stress if they're not perfectly ripe. Once you have those, you'll use a fork to mash the banana as best you can to try to remove any lumps. Next, you'll add in the wet ingredients, which in this case are eggs, almond butter and maple syrup.

Note: you can use any oven-friendly skillet, but I highly recommend using a cast iron skillet if you have one.

In the same bowl, you'll add in the dry ingredients, aka the coconut flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Last, stir in the chopped walnuts, but of course if you hate walnuts (who are you?), you can omit them.

This paleo skillet banana bread is a guilt-free dessert made with minimal sugar and packed with banana-y goodness!

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Paleo Skillet Banana Bread

This skillet banana bread is gluten free, dairy free and full of banana flavor all packed into one skillet.

Author: Erin

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Yield: 4-8

Category: breakfast

Method: oven

Cuisine: bread

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas, plus 1 for the top (optional)

2 eggs

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup almond butter

1/3 cup coconut flour

2 tbsp coconut sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Optional: 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°.

Use a fork to mash the bananas in a large bowl; then, add the eggs, syrup and almond butter and stir with a mixer.

Next, add flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and stir so that all ingredients are combined. Last, stir in the chopped walnuts.

Pour batter into your greased oven-safe skillet. Place a sliced banana on top (optional), then bake bread for 30-35 minutes.

Remove bread from the oven and wait 15 minutes or so before cutting.

Enjoy!

Keywords: paleo banana bread, skillet banana bread

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thealmondeater on Instagram and hashtag it #thealmondeater

The post Paleo Skillet Banana Bread appeared first on The Almond Eater.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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Things Are Getting Homier At The Duplex!

Last month we shared how refinishing the floors at the duplex made us feel like we turned a major corner at a house we've been renovating for over a year (remember when it looked like this?!). And now we are firmly in “the fun part!” You know, where you get to start bringing in rugs and light fixtures and furniture and accessories so it goes from looking like a construction zone to an actual home. It's THE. BEST. Especially after months and months of expensive improvements that you don't even see when the drywall goes back up (like plumbing and electrical upgrades).

So let's just get right into it. Behold, this wall of the left side's master bedroom that we pretty much rebuilt from scratch:

bench / similar light / similar rug / walls: SW Spare White / doors: SW White Truffle

That rug is the one we originally bought for the pink house's living room (you can see it there in this post) but it often looked too dark paired with our dark sectional. But in this room with a fluffy white bed on top of it, we think it'll look worlds lighter and brighter – especially paired with our pretty pink closet doors and that capiz chandelier that we hung between them (which used to hang above our dining table in the pink house – more on that switcheroo here).

We actually added those two closets during framing because it was the largest room but it didn't have a closet at all originally. So we thought flanking the window with two of 'em added lots of storage and symmetry (whereas just one closet would take a bite out of the corner of the room and feel less balanced).

Here's the same bedroom, as you view it from the door. We can't wait to add some thick wooden shelves in that little chimney nook that we were able to expose during the renovation.

Below is a similar view of this bedroom when we bought the house. It was just a boring box, complete with a drop ceiling to hide a whole lot of mold and rot that was going on above it.

The photo below is a picture of the back bedroom on the other side (the right side of the duplex) as it looks now. Over here we reused the only set of original doors that we could salvage: these cool skinny little pine doors, complete with their original hardware.

bench / similar plant / similar light / basket / Walls: SW Spare White

They have tiny little latches on each side that stole my heart the second I saw them, along with little faux drawers at the bottom with old cup pulls. So much quirk & character!

And since they're not standard height (they're shorter than standard interior doors) we got to add cute little cubbies above them. I love how the curved baskets bring in some texture and some softness with so many rectangles going on around them. Same with the curved chandelier.

We're also pretty excited about our kitchen progress, since we worked over the holiday break to assemble both sides (not without hiccups – more on that here) but we're really happy to be mostly over that hump. The appliances are on their way, and our counters should be getting templated and installed before the end of the month. We can see the finish line!!! (Ok, and then we have to add shelves, hardware, and a bold patterned backsplash, but we're closer to the end than the beginning!)

cabinets / hood / pendant light

That's the kitchen on the right side and here we are in the adjacent mudroom/laundry room. We still need to build in that storage cabinet, but we're waiting for the stacked washer & dryer to be installed first. And those painted pocket doors (they're Oyster Bay by Sherwin Williams) lead to the kitchen, and will probably stay open most of the time. We added them in case people want to shut out the noise when laundry's going. And because they're just so dang cute.

pendant light / floor tile / walls: Spare White by SW / doors: Oyster Bay by SW

We'll also be adding lots of mudroom storage in here, like hooks and baskets galore for shoes, bathing suits, towels and all that good stuff. The outdoor showers are a few steps away from the back door that leads into this room, so this space is going to be a workhorse for sure.

Ok, but now let's take a peek at the kitchen on the left side of the duplex. We chose some moody blue-green-gray cabinets for this side, but they look bright blue here. Wait for it…

cabinets / hood / pendant light

They're still covered with a protective film that we aren't going to remove until after the appliances and counters are installed, but you can see from the piece John's holding up below that they're a lot grayer and greener underneath the film. We LOVE the color for a beach house. Feels really playful but not too out there.

This is the mudroom off of that kitchen, where we did a similar tile pattern as the other mudroom, but in a totally different colorway. We love how each side feels related to the other side – but not identical. Kinda like they're cousins but not twins. We still need quarter round trim in here (most of the other rooms are done – but we held off on this room so we can add a few built-ins and then install it).

floor tiles: pink, white, & taupe / door color: White Truffle by SW / door: secondhand find (!!!)

So those are just a few of the spaces that look SO MUCH BETTER already – even before our huge truckload of furniture arrives (yes, we're renting a giant box truck and driving things down ourselves in less than a week!). But even without all the beds and tables and sofas and chairs that are coming, we're soaking up this PROGRESS, BEAUTIFUL PROGRESS! And you know I'm counting down the days until I can share more photos with furniture and curtains and art and ALL THE THINGS!!!

P.S. To see all of our duplex progress from the very beginning, click here for around a dozen posts that'll cover a lot of ground (from buying it and floor planning to rebuilding it, tiling, and refinishing the floors).

*This post contains affiliate links*

One more P.S. – If you like blog posts, you can get an additional one each week delivered straight to your inbox – and it's free! Just sign up here (and if you'd like to see a few sample emails first, here's one, and here's another one).

The post Things Are Getting Homier At The Duplex! appeared first on Young House Love.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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The Best Time to List Your House? TODAY!

You may have heard that the housing market is softening. There is no doubt that buyer traffic has decreased. There are fewer purchasers in the market than there were last month and at this time last year. What you may not have heard, however, is that there is still a severe shortage of listing inventory in many regions of the country.

In a recent interview discussing the housing market, First American's Chief Economist Mark Fleming put it simply:

“The biggest challenge is really the availability of supply.”

When we look at available inventory numbers released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), we see that the actual number of homes for sale has decreased in each of the last five months.

What does this mean to you as a seller?

The best time to sell is when there is less competition. That guarantees you a better price and fewer hassles in the transaction.

Bottom Line

If you are thinking of selling your house this year, the best time to put it on the market might be right now. Check with a local agent to see whether that is true in your neighborhood.

Agents: Join us today for our Free Webinar at 2PM EST/11AM PT to find out how to Kickoff 2019 as a Listing Machine! Even if you cannot join us live, register now to receive a recording of the webinar!

Members: Sign in now to set up your Personalized Posts & start sharing today!

Not a Member Yet? Click Here to learn more about KCM's newest feature, Personalized Posts.

The post The Best Time to List Your House? TODAY! appeared first on Keeping Current Matters.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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4 Ways to Deal if You Want to Be Debt-Free but Your Partner Keeps Spending

When you get married or combine finances with someone, you may think that tackling debt will be easier than doing it on your own.

Then you find out your partner has no intention of paying off debt or being involved with finances.

Cool.

But if this is you, don't worry. Just because the love of your life isn't driven to get rid of debt right now, it doesn't mean they never will be.

I admit that I wasn't on board with paying off debt when my then-fiance “suggested” it to me.

I came from a background where we always had money to pay the bills but never enough for anything else. So when I was finally making my own money, I wanted to use it to live, not to pay my $52,000 of student loan debt.

But many people overcome their aversions to paying off debt and end up being just as motivated as their significant other.

Here are some tips for bridging that gap.

4 Strategies for When Your Partner Doesn't Care About Being Debt-Free

These tips may not speed up the journey, but they are the best way to get to freedom from debt if you don't want to sleep on the couch the whole way.

1. Slow Down and Rethink Your Approach

If the fact that your partner doesn't want to think about finances frustrates you, sit down, take a deep breath and think about why.

A lot of people have negative emotions and experiences tied to money.

Talking about finances can be a trigger for someone whose parents fought about money. If someone never had enough money for small pleasures growing up, they might go into defense mode if you tell them you want to stop spending money and sell their stuff.

And the thought of debt itself can be a heavy mental burden, especially when life is throwing more problems into the mix. It takes time, persistence and understanding to find out what the root of your partner's hesitation is and how to work through it.

2. Talk About the Future

My husband knows that I'm a goal-driven person, so he asked me what my goals for the future were. He got me thinking about how freedom from debt could help me achieve my goals faster.

Make sure your partner's goals and wants are heard. Share your own wants, and talk about how your goals and your partner's goals can work together. Your partner may not have concrete goals right now, but they surely have something they want. Maybe they want to travel, buy a boat, stay at home with kids or pursue a passion.

Anything they want to do in the future is going to have a financial component. And once you've identified it, you'll be able to sit down and talk about that. But as with the first recommendation, take it slowly.

3. Plan a Road Trip

If your partner will no longer listen to you about finances, don't force it.

They still need to hear it, just not from you. That's where podcasts and audiobooks can come in for the assist. And there's no better way to have your partner's uninterrupted ear than playing them in the car.

That's how Budgets Made Easy creator Ashley Patrick was able to get her husband on board.

“I attempted budget meetings, but he wasn't interested,” Ashley said. “He was content letting me handle it all. The biggest thing that fully got him on board was playing Dave Ramsey podcasts in the car. Especially when I did it on a long road trip. Hours of Dave Ramsey helped change his mindset.”

She and her husband paid off $45,000 in 17 months, and Ashley now provides financial coaching through Dave Ramsey's Ramsey Solutions.

4. Be an Example They'll Want to Follow

While you're waiting for your partner to join the team, make sure they know what the game looks like.

You can continue to budget, pay off debt and be wise with your spending even if your partner isn't. Sometimes they just need to see that it can be done.

As you do this, take into consideration what they value and want. Maybe you think Topgolf is a waste of money, but your husband loves going once a month. Put it in the budget to show him that the process is only as restrictive as you make it.

At the end of the day, being debt-free isn't the goal: having financial freedom is. And if you want your partner to be part of that, it might take some patience and perseverance. But it's worth it - not just financially - to get on the same page and head in the same direction with your goals.

Jen Smith is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She was reluctant at first, but once she got on board, she and her husband paid off $78,000 of debt in two years. See more of her story and debt-payoff tips on Instagram at @modernfrugality.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

The Penny Hoarder Promise: We provide accurate, reliable information. Here's why you can trust us and how we make money.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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Things Are Getting Homier At The Duplex!

So let's just get right into it. Behold, this wall of the left side's master bedroom that we pretty much rebuilt from scratch:

bench / similar light / similar rug / walls: SW Spare White / doors: SW White Truffle

Here's the same bedroom, as you view it from the door. We can't wait to add some thick wooden shelves in that little chimney nook that we were able to expose during the renovation.

Below is a similar view of this bedroom when we bought the house. It was just a boring box, complete with a drop ceiling to hide a whole lot of mold and rot that was going on above it.

bench / similar plant / similar light / basket / Walls: SW Spare White

They have tiny little latches on each side that stole my heart the second I saw them, along with little faux drawers at the bottom with old cup pulls. So much quirk & character!

cabinets / hood / pendant light

pendant light / floor tile / walls: Spare White by SW / doors: Oyster Bay by SW

Ok, but now let's take a peek at the kitchen on the left side of the duplex. We chose some moody blue-green-gray cabinets for this side, but they look bright blue here. Wait for it…

cabinets / hood / pendant light

floor tiles: pink, white, & taupe / door color: White Truffle by SW / door: secondhand find (!!!)

*This post contains affiliate links*

The post Things Are Getting Homier At The Duplex! appeared first on Young House Love.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

Text

2019 Maximum HSA Contribution Limits – How Much Can You Save for Your Medical Expenses?

Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, are growing in popularity among people who need affordable health insurance and among employers looking to save on health insurance costs.

HSAs have many benefits beyond cost savings. Let's dive in and take a look at what exactly is a health savings account, the HSA contribution limits for each calendar year, how HSAs are one of the most flexible financial accounts you can open, and why it's a good idea to max out your annual HSA contributions.

What is a Health Savings Account?

Health Savings Accounts are a type of tax-advantaged savings account specifically for health care spending. Contributions are tax deductible in the year they are made, and grow tax-free. Withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses.

In essence, a Health Savings Account is very similar to a combination of a Traditional IRA (tax deduction when you make the contribution) and a Roth IRA (no taxes on qualified withdrawals for medical expenses).

This is a huge benefit!

Health Savings Account Eligibility

To be eligible for an HSA, you need to participate in a qualifying High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) for health insurance.

A plan may qualify as an HDHP if the deductibles are $1,350 per year or higher for individuals, or $2,700 per year or higher for a family plan. These deductibles are typically higher than average, hence the name, High Deductible Health Plan.

High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) also limit the deductible amounts and out-of-pocket expenses. For 2019, these limits are $6,750 for self-coverage only, and up to $13,500 for family coverage.

Advantages of HDHPs

Many people choose these health insurance plans because they typically have lower monthly premiums due to the high deductible. Many employers offer these HDHP plans for the same reasons.

The goal of the higher deductibles is to save costs for everyone, incentivize policyholders to become smarter with their healthcare spending and give you the option of setting aside money pre-tax to pay for healthcare. On the flip side, you need to have sufficient funds to pay your portion of the deductible. So only choose an HDHP if you have some money set aside in an emergency fund or cash savings.

Tax Advantages of Health Savings Accounts

You can set aside pre-tax income in an HSA for use specifically on health spending. HSAs are often compared to and confused with Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

The two are similar in that you set aside pre-tax income for health costs, but FSAs have a serious downside that HSAs do not. With an FSA if you do not spend all of the funds in your account by the end of the year you forfeit the remaining balance of your account to the plan administrator.

With a Health Savings Account you never lose the funds. In fact, you could set aside money this year in an HSA and use it 40 years from now (some people even pay for their health care out of pocket now, and use their HSAs as another way to save for retirement). And as long as the funds are used for healthcare spending, you won't pay any tax on the withdrawals.

2019 HSA Contribution Limits

How much money can you set aside for future healthcare spending with an HSA?

The maximum annual contribution is dependent upon whether you are on an individual or family plan. The maximum HSA contribution limit is $3,500 per year for an individual, while families can contribute $7,000. There is also a catch-up contribution limit of $1,000 for those who are age 55 or older (note: catchup contributions for retirement accounts start at age 50).

Here is a list of contribution limits from recent years, including the HSA contribution limits from 2010 – 2019:

Tax YearIndividualFamily Catch-Up Contributions (age 55 and over) 2019$3,500$7,000$1,000 2018$3,450$6,900$1,000 2017$3,400$6,750$1,000 2016$3,350$6,750$1,000 2015$3,350$6,650$1,000 2014$3,300$6,550$1,000 2013$3,250$6,450$1,000 2012$3,100$6,250$1,000 2011$3,050$6,150$1,000 2010$3,050$6,150$1,000

What Happens If I Contribute Too Much to an HSA?

If you are contributing funds to your HSA automatically through payroll deductions it should be virtually impossible for you to contribute too much to your Health Savings Account. However, it is possible to over-contribute by making deposits outside of the payroll system or simply through error.

If you discover you have contributed too much to your HSA, you must take action to avoid paying penalties to the IRS.

The fix is quite simple: you must remove the excess amount contributed, plus any interest earned on that amount, and pay tax on both before April 15th of the following year. (You can contribute to this year's HSA through April 15 of next year.) You received a tax break by putting the money into your HSA pre-tax, but since you contributed too much you technically should have paid tax on the original income.

Failure to remove the excess contribution by the April 15th deadline and then withdrawing the funds at a later date will result in a 6% excise tax when you do withdraw the funds. Additionally, if you leave the funds in indefinitely, each year you must pay the 6% tax.

However, there is one way to get out of having to remove the contribution and paying tax: leave the contribution in, but avoid the 6% excise tax by lowering the next year's contribution by the amount of the over-contribution.

For example, an individual with an HSA contribution limit of $3,500 per year would have been guilty of contributing $100 too much if they contributed $3,600 this year. They could avoid paying the 6% excise tax by only contributing $3,400 next year (the $3,500 contribution limit minus $100). If they contributed the full $3,500 next year, they would then be forced to pay the 6% tax on the original $100 over-contribution.

Can You Contribute if You Aren't Eligible for the Entire Year? Pro-Rated Contribution Rules Explained

Rarely do you start a new job on January 1st or end it on December 31st. When you gain and lose access to a high deductible health plan will impact your availability to contribute to an HSA. If you are not active in an HDHP for the entire year your situation is a gray area.

Here is what the IRS says in one of its instruction manuals:

Last-month rule allows eligible individuals to make a full contribution for the year even if they were not an eligible individual for the entire year. They can make the full contribution for the year if:

They are eligible individuals on the first day of last month of their taxable year. For most people this would be December 1, and

They remain eligible individuals during the testing period. The testing period runs from December 1 of the current year through December 31 of the following year (for calendar taxpayers).

If the taxpayer does not qualify to contribute the full amount for the year, the contribution is determined by using the sum of the monthly contribution limits rule.

Sum of the monthly contribution limits rule (use Limitation Chart and Worksheet in Form 8889 Instructions). This is the amount determined separately for each month based on eligibility and HDHP coverage on the first day of each month plus catch-up contributions. For this purpose, the monthly limit is 1/12 of the annual contribution limit, as calculated on the Limitation Chart and worksheet.

In other words, you can contribute the full amount if you are eligible as of Dec 1, of the calendar year. However, you may owe back taxes if you do not remain eligible from January 1 – December 31 of the following year.

To avoid tax problems, your HSA contribution can be pro-rated. Simply divide your normal contribution limit by 12 to get your monthly contribution limit.

For individuals, it is $291.66 and for families $583.33 (both numbers represent the 2019 tax year; just apply the current tax year to your situation).

Each month that you had at least 1 day active in an HDHP counts as a full month for your contribution limit. Then simply multiply the number of months you were active in the health plan by your monthly contribution limit.

For example, an individual that started a new job and gained access to an HDHP on March 12th and maintained HDHP coverage through December 31st would have 10 months of pro-rated contribution availability. They could contribute $291.66 x 10 = $2,916.60 for the year. If they contributed the full amount of $3,500 they would need to take the steps listed above to avoid penalties for over-contributing to their HSA.

IRS Publication 969 has more info about HSA qualifications, contribution limits, distribution rules, and more.

Benefits of Maxing Out Your HSA Account Each Year

There are numerous advantages to having an HSA. There is the immediate tax benefit in the year you make your contribution. And since your savings never expire, you can save the funds in your HSA or a linked investment account, and let your savings and investments grow over time. In fact, this can be a brilliant investment strategy:

Using Your HSA as a Super Retirement Account

Health Savings Accounts combine the best of the Traditional IRA and Roth IRA. Contributions are tax-deductible in the year they are made (like a Traditional IRA), and the earnings and withdrawals are tax-free if used for a qualifying medical expense (like a Roth IRA, when used for retirement). There are no age limits when using your HSA funds for a qualifying medical expense. So you can let your money ride until needed. Or just let it grow and pay your medical expenses out of pocket.

What if you want to use your HSA for non-qualifying medical expenses? If used for anything other than a qualifying medical expense, you will pay taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty, just as you would with a retirement account. However, the rules change a little bit once you turn age 65. Once you reach age 65, the current tax rules allow you to make non-qualifying withdrawals from your HSA with the same tax rules as a Traditional IRA. So you would pay taxes on the withdrawals, but you would not pay any penalties.

This flexibility makes your HSA one of the most powerful financial tools in your toolbox.

Benefits of Long-Term HSA Ownership

I maximized my HSA contributions each year I was eligible to contribute to an HSA. We decided to take advantage of the investment opportunities through the HSA, so we elected to pay our medical costs out of pocket and invest our HSA funds.

My health insurance plan has since changed, and I am no longer eligible to contribute to an HSA plan. However, I am not required to remove those funds until I decide to use them for medical expenses, or I decide I wish to withdraw the funds for other purposes.

Since the funds are invested, I'd like to let them compound as long as possible. If we have a major medical expense, I can elect to pay for them with our HSA savings. And if we are lucky and don't have any expenses we can't pay out of our cash flow or savings, then I will have a large investment account I can tap into when I reach retirement age. I'm hoping for the latter!

Where to Open an HSA Investment Account

The first thing you need to do is qualify for an HSA with a compatible High Deductible Health Care Plan. Check with your employer if you have an employer-sponsored health care plan. If not, then you may be able to purchase a qualifying HDHP on the ACA exchanges or find one through a health insurance company such as eHealthInsurance (this is where I always found our health care plans after I became self-employed).

Once you have a qualifying health care plan, you can shop around for different banks or investment accounts that offer HSAs. I wrote an article about the process of opening an HSA account, which bank I chose, and why.

I decided to open my HSA account with HSA Bank, in part because they have easy access, very low fees (which can be waived if you maintain a certain minimum in your account and because they make it very easy to link your HSA account to a brokerage where you can invest your HSA funds.

HSA Bank offers two investment options. I chose to invest with TD Ameritrade, because of their excellent reputation and access to several hundred fee-free ETFs for trading. So I've never paid anything to make a stock purchase at TD Ameritrade because I invested in ETFs that didn't have any associated trading costs.

You can visit TD Ameritrade to learn more or to open an account.

Health Savings Accounts are one of the most flexible financial accounts you can open. If you are eligible to open an HSA, I recommend maxing out your contributions each year. And if you can swing it, try to pay your medical expenses out of pocket. This will allow your HSA contributions to grow tax-free indefinitely, allowing you to increase your net worth.

The post 2019 Maximum HSA Contribution Limits – How Much Can You Save for Your Medical Expenses? appeared first on Cash Money Life | Personal Finance, Investing, & Career.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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Landscaping Stone Borders Around Flower Beds

Stone Border Around Flower Bed

Austin Chopped Stone with a Flagstone Cap

Landscaping Stone Borders

Austin Chopped Stone Borders with Flagstone Cap around Flower Beds Landscaping Project

Stone Wall Borders

Raised flower beds with stone wall borders

Raised Flower Bed Landscaping

Landscaping stone walls border on raised flower beds

Curved Stone Borders

Flower bed island with curved stone border all the way around.

Flower Bed Landscaping

Landscaping stone borders around flower bed

Stone Border Around Pond

Landscaping a Pond with Stone Borders in Back Yard

Mulching Flower Beds with Stone Borders

Adding mulch to flower bed with stone borders

Large Stone Divider

Large stones dividing a garden bed landscaping

Large Rocks Border

Landscaping flower bed with large rocks as border

Flat Brick Stone Borders

Flat stone borders around flower beds

Stone Border Around Tree Bed

Tree and Flower Bed with Stone Border Landscaping

Stone Retaining Wall

Landscaping a Stone Retaining Wall Around Flower Bed

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When you feel stressed, and you need a place to have a significant relaxation, your outdoor area will always serve as a perfect spot. So, investing in improving the look of your landscape is a fantastic treat for yourself.

Nature's view has its unique and effective way of providing you a valuable tranquility. It can even make it easier for you to forget all the negative vibes around.

After a busy weekday, it is ideal to put an effort visiting your garden area and recharge yourself. To make this more effective, providing your flower beds with landscape stone border can improve your experience.

Here, you will be able to learn different ideas for your next landscape stone border project. So, how are you going to choose the right stone for your flower beds.

Type of Edging Stones for Borders

There are different types of stone to choose from and each type has its unique characteristics. We can generally install any type of stone you prefer, but what we usually like to recommend is listed below:

Austin Chopped Stone

Oklahoma Chopped Stone

Leauders Chopped Stone

Boulder Moss Stones

Shape and Texture

Natural stones are known for its rounded shape resulted from long exposure to water in the streams, rivers, lakes or ocean. Manufactured stones provide a shape which is intended to imitate the appearance of natural stones. You have no trouble choosing the best stones for your flower bed landscaping because there is already a wide variety of man-made stone that provides organic and attractive look. Thus, it offers a uniform size and shape, with various color options.

With the help of a different type of landscape stone, it is made easier for you to create a more attractive look for your flower bed.

Artistic Medium

When you are deciding for landscape stone border design, you can play with your imagination. You may come up with a rock garden theme where you can use stones with a natural round shape and then choose plants that can enhance the overall look.

Different Rock Features

Landscape stones can be you to different landscape ideas where you can take advantage of different stone features to fulfill your creativity. In building a stone border, you can use either collection of pebbles and smaller stones or larger sizes within the gabion cages. This provides an attractive look while staying functional as a retaining wall.

Learn how to build a stone retaining wall – pdf

Water Feature Accent

Landscape stones are attractive and artistically dry. However, if you combine it with a water feature, its beauty, color, and texture become full of life. For a natural look for your flower bed, you can use paddle stones because of its neutral colors. Thus, they are quite flexible when it comes to creating natural mosaic designs.

There is no way for you not to try a landscape stone border to create an attractive and unique look for your flower bed. The next time that you will visit your garden, you will get more satisfaction with the view.

For help with installing stone borders around your flower beds contact JC's Landscaping for a free estimate.

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The post Landscaping Stone Borders Around Flower Beds appeared first on JC's Landscaping LLC.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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2018 Roundup: Bee Saving Paper, Solar Dog Houses, Home and Garden Makeover, Bomb Detection by Plants, 3D Printed Flowers, Compostable Couture…

You let us know what some of your 2018 favorites were: Bee Saving Paper, Solar Dog Houses, Home and Garden Makeover, Bomb Detection by Plants, 3D Printed Flowers, Compostable Couture, and much, much, more. Here are 20 of 2018's most … Read More...

The post 2018 Roundup: Bee Saving Paper, Solar Dog Houses, Home and Garden Makeover, Bomb Detection by Plants, 3D Printed Flowers, Compostable Couture… appeared first on Urban Gardens.

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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7 Stupid Easy Ways To Fix Your Finances In 2019

With 2019 just around the corner, you may have a resolution to fix your finances. If 2018 left you in debt, stressed out, maxed out, freaked out or just ready for a change, read on.

You would be AMAZED at what you can change in a year. The person you are today, does NOT need to be the person you are 12 months from now.

There are so many ways to go about doing this: loans, refinancing, a second job, starting a blog or becoming a freelance writer, transferring credit card balances, seeing a financial counselor, etc., etc., ETC.! But those aren't particularly easy and they certainly are not a way to get quick cash.

That's why I've created this list of 7 stupid easy ways to change your finances. Each option is a simple and fast way to start on the path to financial health.

Survey Says- Make Some Extra Cash

You can pinch pennies aplenty, but if you're not making a lot to begin with, you'll find it's challenging to get ahead. If you can squeeze in some extra time in nights and weekends, earning a few extra bucks can be a game changer. Enter, the survey side hustle.

Online surveys are an easy and convenient way to earn a few bucks from the comfort of your couch. Keep in mind, though, that they do require you to pay attention and actually read each and every question. The company can tell if you just fibbed your way through the survey and will not pay you for it. They may even remove you from their program.

While there are numerous survey sites you could try, they're not all created equal. Some rarely have surveys for you to take or make it extremely difficult to cash out. Luckily for you, we've sifted through all the survey companies and have come up with a list of programs where you can *actually* earn some money. They include:

Pinecone Research

Survey Junkie

Global Test Market

Ipsos

Examine Your Credit

If you are suffering from low or even no credit, it's important to keep an eye on your credit score. Not only will this allow you to see your progress, it can also help you catch any errors or inconsistencies.

While you are entitled to a free credit report from each credit reporting company (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax), Credit Sesame is my preferred monitoring program. Not only is it free, but you can check your credit report and score as often as you like. Pretty snazzy, ey?

It be totally scary to look at your credit score, I get it. But knowing what's negatively impacting you NOW can help you in a year's time when you go to make a big purchase. Follow these steps to earn some money and trim expenses, but also make sure you understand your score and how to improve it!

Trim and Sift It

Money-saving apps and programs are a dime a dozen these days. I've even written about some in the past. But as of December of 2018, my two favorites are Trim and Sift. Using apps on your phone to simplify and optimize your spending habits is a great way to save without breaking a sweat!

Trim

Trim is an online, desktop based program that automates ways to save you money. After you securely connect your accounts, Trim will inspect each one to determine if there are any potential money saving options. Specifically, Trim excels at examining and notifying you of your recurring subscriptions, discovers if you can save money on your cable, and allows you to automate your savings. You can even request account alerts via text for things like overdrafts, low-funds, or large purchases. Best of all, it is free.

Trim takes security very seriously and therefore they have implemented 256-bit SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and read-only access. Your account info is not stored of their servers. To learn more about Trim or to sign up, pop on over here.

Sift

Sift is an app that focuses on your credit cards and their purchases. Named as one of Google Play's Best Apps of 2018, it maximizes your cashback and rewards, while tracking all the benefits available for each of your cards. It will automatically update you on any perks that may be available to you due to using a specific card. For example, theft and damage and warranties, time left to return, and price protection. The latter is my favorite perk, as it will help you save money on previous purchases if you used certain cards when buying an item that has decreased in price.

As for Sift's security, information is transmitted securely via SSL (TLS 1.2) bank grade encryption. All of their servers and databases have very strict access control and all data transmitted and stored is anonymized. To give Sift a try, check it out here.

Save and Earn

When was the last time you evaluated your savings accounts? Do you know what kind of interest you are earning on your funds? If you use a big bank, with lots of brick and mortar locations, it is likely you aren't getting as much as you could. Solve that problem by considering an online bank. My favorite is Capital One 360. Not only will you receive up to a $100 bonus when you open an account, but because they don't have any physical locations, you get a higher yield interest rate. They have a large network of ATMs and offer mobile deposit, allowing you to get most of the benefits of a typical bank with less fees and a higher rate on your savings.

Surf's Up

As mentioned above, online surveys are a nice way to change your finances by earning some quick cash. But the internet has more to offer than that. For example, Swagbucks is an easy way to earn gift cards. Swagbucks offer the typical surveys, but they also reward you for watching videos, shopping online, and more. It's totally free and you can redeem your points earned for pretty much any gift card out there, including MasterCard.

If you want to earn some major cashback on your online purchases, you've got to give Ebates a try. Depending on which merchant you buy from, you can get up to 50% back. As a good example, when I switched from AT&T to Verizon for my mobile service, I got $75 cashback just for shopping through Ebates. That was a pretty outstanding month, but I typically reel in at least $20 a month just for shopping at online stores I already planned to buy from using Ebates.

(Re)Build Your Budget

You can't change your finances for the better if you aren't sticking to a healthy budget. I talk a lot about budgeting here at Frugal Beautiful, but my post How to Fall in Love with Your Budget is particularly useful.

Alternatively, there are several books on the subject that have helped me, and others like me, to create a budget and not deviate from that plan. A few of my favorite include:

The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

How to Manage Your Money When You Don't Have Any

All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan

The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money

Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love (I absolutely love the authors, who run the fabulous finance blog Club Thrifty.)

Once you've read up on the subject, consider an online budgeting software like Mint or Personal Capital. It is easier than using pen and paper, especially on the go.

I use both of these apps. I love that Mint has a little doughnut chart that shows me how much I'm spending in each category (sometimes it's horrifying!) and that Personal Capital shows me the overall picture of how I'm doing to track my net worth. It's super motivating!

Hustle Hard

My personal favorite way to improve one's personal finances is to find a side hustle. I've written extensively on my most profitable side hustle: Airbnb. Seriously, without the money I make hosting travelers on Airbnb, I'd be in a world of hurt. Owning a home has been a much more expensive endeavor than expected, specifically due to a major increase in taxes and numerous repairs not found before closing. Airbnb has helped me stay on track with my budgeting and retirement goals.

As of this writing in late 2018, I'm earning over $750 a month just renting out my spare room with minimal work as an Airbnb host.

Another quick and easy option is to drive for Uber or Lyft. It's simple and fast to get started with either company and can bring in some significant cash quickly. Cha-ching!

Start Saving With Just $1

One of my most popular posts is the Mason Jar Money Method . If you're a fan of the envelope system from Dave Ramsey or have cash on hand, this is for you. You start with a giant mason jar, and start with $1.

Each week your savings grow from there and you begin to build better habits to make those bigger weeks work- you have about $1300 by year's end. What could you do with $1300 more dollars in the bank? Maybe put it towards next year's Christmas gifts and travel? New tires? A vacation? You will be $1300 ahead by this time next year.

So, what are you waiting for? It's never too late to get a handle on your financial life. Hop to it, friend, and best of luck!

Additional Reading:

Top Ten Articles to Read When You Want To Invest

How to Balance Debt Repayment with Holiday Expenses

What You Need to Know Before Going Car Shopping

7 Things to Do at Work to Help Pay Off Your Loans

4 Ways To Detox From Overspending

How I've Lived On An $800 Monthly Budget In The City

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garyfcrosby1975-blog · 6 years ago

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