School's back in session, the leaves are changing and the carbs are-a-plenty.
Just in time for the holiday season, it's time to look at...Credit cards!
What has your credit card done for you recently?
The funny thing is a credit card, assuming you pay the balance in full every month,
has the opportunity to give you airline miles for free trips - or cash back - or free gas...there are many perks.
Using a site like nerdwallet, you can compare multiple credit cards to find the best one for you.
Sometimes there is a signing bonus for certain spend amounts.
It's worth evaluating and considering especially if you are planning to spend a lot this holiday season.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Friday, July 14, 2017
New clothes - how much money does it cost to look good?
How much money does it cost to look good?
I mean really good. Like, I look like I care about my looks and my clothes.
I always struggle with this concept. I'm usually so concerned about saving money and so focused on making sure everyone else has what they need. Don't get me wrong, I do hit up the Nordstrom anniversary sale or black friday...and I entertain a wonderful capsule wardrobe...
but is there room for more?
Cosmo says we should spend 5% of our take home pay on our clothes. Hahaha I guess that's pre-day care costs?
I guess the key is making sure you have a few key pieces that work - basic pieces, follow the whole capsule wardrobe thing where every piece matches - and budgeting whatever amount suits your budget for a few splurges along the way.
I mean really good. Like, I look like I care about my looks and my clothes.
I always struggle with this concept. I'm usually so concerned about saving money and so focused on making sure everyone else has what they need. Don't get me wrong, I do hit up the Nordstrom anniversary sale or black friday...and I entertain a wonderful capsule wardrobe...
but is there room for more?
Cosmo says we should spend 5% of our take home pay on our clothes. Hahaha I guess that's pre-day care costs?
I guess the key is making sure you have a few key pieces that work - basic pieces, follow the whole capsule wardrobe thing where every piece matches - and budgeting whatever amount suits your budget for a few splurges along the way.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Summer and camp
Summer.
School is out, but work is...in. So, for those of us who have to work while school is out...kids have to go to camp.
Have you seen how much camp costs these days?
Affordable camps...like YMCA camps are about $120/week. Then you add in pre-care and after-care because...work...and you pay an extra $20/week. Let's say there are 10 weeks of summer...and you have two kids...that's $2800 for the summer.
And that's on the low-end.
According to this article by care.com the average cost of day camp is $304 per week...so now you're looking at almost $6,000 for two kids over the summer...For specialty camps like...language immersion, sports, coding, etc...those are in the range of $500-$1000...according to care.com.
And it's true...my son begged me to go to coding camp. It was abut $800 FOR. THE. WEEK.
To help my son get the summer camp experience that we could afford...we signed him up for a local YMCA-style camp - field trips, swimming, and just regular old playing. I happen to think that slowing it down for the summer...letting kids be kids and not little adults...is very important. Plus, several of his school friends were attending, and I knew he would have a good time. The camp is affordable, VERY well-run, and his buddies were there - what's not to love. Plus, I want him outside, in nature, since we don't live in a place where you can be outside for long periods of time year-round.
But that still left the question of coding...how do I satisfy his interest in coding, etc.
I made a deal with him that he could work on coding after he got home from camp, until it was time to get ready for bed. But that he had to break for dinner and also stop coding at around 7:15. There was also an option to sign him up for some science lessons at camp, so I added that on.
The price of camp is still outrageous - even affordable camps are really expensive - but knowing I have to budget for this the whole year helps make it easier to afford the camps when summer comes.
Enjoy the beauty of summer!
Penny
School is out, but work is...in. So, for those of us who have to work while school is out...kids have to go to camp.
Have you seen how much camp costs these days?
Affordable camps...like YMCA camps are about $120/week. Then you add in pre-care and after-care because...work...and you pay an extra $20/week. Let's say there are 10 weeks of summer...and you have two kids...that's $2800 for the summer.
And that's on the low-end.
According to this article by care.com the average cost of day camp is $304 per week...so now you're looking at almost $6,000 for two kids over the summer...For specialty camps like...language immersion, sports, coding, etc...those are in the range of $500-$1000...according to care.com.
And it's true...my son begged me to go to coding camp. It was abut $800 FOR. THE. WEEK.
To help my son get the summer camp experience that we could afford...we signed him up for a local YMCA-style camp - field trips, swimming, and just regular old playing. I happen to think that slowing it down for the summer...letting kids be kids and not little adults...is very important. Plus, several of his school friends were attending, and I knew he would have a good time. The camp is affordable, VERY well-run, and his buddies were there - what's not to love. Plus, I want him outside, in nature, since we don't live in a place where you can be outside for long periods of time year-round.
But that still left the question of coding...how do I satisfy his interest in coding, etc.
I made a deal with him that he could work on coding after he got home from camp, until it was time to get ready for bed. But that he had to break for dinner and also stop coding at around 7:15. There was also an option to sign him up for some science lessons at camp, so I added that on.
The price of camp is still outrageous - even affordable camps are really expensive - but knowing I have to budget for this the whole year helps make it easier to afford the camps when summer comes.
Enjoy the beauty of summer!
Penny
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Air Travel, Part II
Some great tips on air travel can be found here:
http://dealnews.com/features/Ways-to-Save-on-Your-Next-Flight/1880243.html
http://dealnews.com/features/Ways-to-Save-on-Your-Next-Flight/1880243.html
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
The New Year
The New Year is ueapon us...and I have decided to focus on things that are real.
Real Foods - cutting out processed foods.
Cleaning out clutter.
Enjoying our family.
Organizing.
I've made a pledge to focus on real foods for our family. Ha! It's not about diet. Just cutting out things that have no value and can hurt your body.
Focusing on really trying to meal prep has actually meant I am going the store less.
Wanted to share one recipe I found most helpful to replace cheez-its and goldfish!
All you need is whole wheat flour, butter and grated cheese (and a food processor, cookie sheet and oven).
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/03/23/recipe-easy-cheesy-crackers/
Enjoy!
Real Foods - cutting out processed foods.
Cleaning out clutter.
Enjoying our family.
Organizing.
I've made a pledge to focus on real foods for our family. Ha! It's not about diet. Just cutting out things that have no value and can hurt your body.
Focusing on really trying to meal prep has actually meant I am going the store less.
Wanted to share one recipe I found most helpful to replace cheez-its and goldfish!
All you need is whole wheat flour, butter and grated cheese (and a food processor, cookie sheet and oven).
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/03/23/recipe-easy-cheesy-crackers/
Enjoy!
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