Keeping Up With The Bulls

A personal finance blog focused on making more money, saving money and smart spending.

Valentine’s Day on a Budget: Creative Ways to Save Money

by // Leave a Comment

cute homemade valentine's day gifts, diy valentines gifts, valentines day ideas, diy valentines day cards, save money valentine's day

Valentine’s Day is a special occasion for couples to celebrate their love, but it can also be a costly holiday. However, there are many ways to save money on Valentine’s Day while still making it a memorable and romantic experience. From setting a budget and planning ahead, to being creative and avoiding peak times, there are many strategies you can use to cut costs while still showing your love and affection. Additionally, by comparing prices and avoiding commercialism, you can find ways to make the holiday special without breaking the bank. So, whether you’re planning a romantic evening out or a cozy night in, there are many ways to save money on Valentine’s Day and make it a special and memorable occasion for you and your loved one.

Set A Budget For How Much You Want To Spend on Valentine’s Day

Deciding on a budget for Valentine’s Day can be challenging, but it’s important to set a limit to avoid overspending. Start by considering your current financial situation and determine how much you can realistically afford to spend. Take into account other expenses, such as bills and savings goals, to determine the amount you can set aside for the holiday. Consider the type of celebration you want to have, whether it’s a romantic dinner, a fun activity, or a special gift, and adjust your budget accordingly. Don’t forget to factor in any special promotions or discounts that might be available. By creating a budget, you can enjoy the holiday without the stress of overspending.

How Much Should You Spend on Valentine’s Day

Historically, the average cost of Valentine’s Day is around $200 per person, depending on the type of gifts, activities, and dining plans that are chosen. However, given that a regular dinner for 2 seems to average around $200 in US cities, it the average Valentine’s Day dinner has likely gotten more expensive too. In 2022, red roses were up 22% YoY and inflation is only up since then. There is no set amount for how much you should spend on Valentine’s Day. Set the amount you want to spend and stick to that budget.

Plan Valentine’s Day Early

The best, reasonably priced Valentine’s Day restaurant reservations will be taken far in advance. Additionally, if you want a thoughtful gift from a place like Etsy, orders get backed up pretty quickly and only expensive options + expedite fees may be left. Lastly, stores have plenty of promotions. The further out you plan, the more likely you will be able to leverage a store promotion to save money on a Valentine’s Day gift. Planning ahead is an easy way to save money on Valentine’s Day gifts.

Make Cute Homemade Valentine’s Day Gifts

Instead of buying expensive gifts, make something homemade or plan a special activity together. Below are a few ideas for homemade and DIY Valentine’s Day gifts.

  1. A homemade scrapbook or photo book filled with memories of you and your significant other. Shutterfly frequently runs promotions and has templates to make this cheap and easy.
  2. A homemade coupon book filled with things like “a night of their choice of movie and home-cooked dinner” or “a day of doing their household chores.”
  3. A framed photo of the two of you with a heartfelt message written on the back.
  4. A homemade gourmet meal or baked goods.
  5. A hand-drawn or painted piece of art for them to display in their home or office.
  6. A personalized piece of clothing or accessory, such as a sweater or hat.
  7. A memory jar filled with little notes and trinkets that represent special moments in your relationship.
  8. A homemade spa day package including homemade scrubs, bath bombs, candles and more

These Valentine’s Day gifts on a budget won’t break the bank and will show your significant other how much you care about them.

Make a Cute DIY Valentine’s Day Card

It feels like we used to be able to go into a store and buy a Valentine’s Day card for $2. Now, some Valentine’s Day cards are $10! If you already have craft supplies at home, or have generic stationary, make your own Valentine’s Day card and save money.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day on a Different Day

Who says you have to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the actual day? If you have a trip coming up, call one of the nights out a belated Valentine’s Day celebration. Go out to eat or do an activity locally on a different day to avoid peak prices on Valentine’s Day. Many restaurants have fixed price menus for Valentine’s Day that tend to be more expensive than other days.

Shop Around for The Best Deals

Even though Valentine’s Day tends to be more expensive, there are still deals to be found. For example, Lou Malnati’s sells heart shape deep dish pizzas on Valentine’s Day. This is a cheaper dinner comparatively yet still special and delicious. Local bakeries sell cute heart shaped desserts. Remember, it’s the thought that counts. The gift doesn’t have to be expensive.

Ultimately, Valentine’s Day is a day of love. You can celebrate it by doing something special for your loved one. It doesn’t have to be something expensive, it can be something you both can enjoy and make a great memories together.

cute homemade valentine's day gifts, diy valentines gifts, valentines day ideas, diy valentines day cards

Affordable Self-Care: Cheap and Easy Ways to Take Care of Yourself

by // Leave a Comment

affordable self care, self care on a budget

Self-care is essential for our overall well-being, but it can often feel like a luxury that is out of reach. With the high cost of spa treatments, beauty products, and other self-care items, it can be difficult to find ways to take care of ourselves that fit within our budget. However, self-care doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many ways to practice self-care without breaking the bank. In this post, we will explore some budget-friendly self-care tips and tricks that will help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated without spending a fortune. So, take a deep breath and let’s get started on our journey to affordable self-care.

Exercise

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity a week. Now, it’s easier than ever to exercise in a way that fits your budget. There are even plenty of options to work out at home, no matter how small your space is including:

Fitness doesn’t have to mean the expensive gym membership. What is worth it really depends on the value it provides to you. The $200/ month gym membership is worth it if it motivates you to frequently work out and you feel better. The $10 / month gym membership is not worth it if you never go. Some companies even offer wellness benefits to help make exercise even more affordable.

Be Mindful of What You Eat

Part of self-care at home is eating well. Make the choice to eat healthier as often as you can. NBC News pulled together this list of what food to stock up on in your fridge and pantry. It’s healthier to eat at home than it is to eat out and you can control the amount of salt and butter you add to dishes. At the same time, when you’re stuck at home it’s easy to graze on unhealthy snacks all day instead of sticking to a healthy meal schedule.

Try your best to eat a regular meal schedule and not graze on snacks throughout the day. Since fresh fruit and vegetables are harder to come by with less frequent grocery shopping make sure to frozen fruits and veggies instead. Most are flash frozen instantly and are just as healthy as fresh fruit! There are also health benefits for drinking tea, especially green tea.

If you’re not sure what to cook, try these recipes using common pantry and fridge staples.

Have A Home Spa Day

Bring the spa to you! An at home spa day is a great way to practice affordable self-care. Taking a relaxing bath is a great cheap and easy way to start your at home spa day. I love to relax using Dr Teal’s Lavender Epsom Salt Bath. A 3 lb bag will normally cost between $5-6. Make sure to take a rinsing shower after taking an epsom salt bath as salt can dry out your skin. Light a nice candle and play music in the background.

Miss getting a mani/ pedi? A foot peel is a great activity for when you have to stay at home for a week or more because your feet may peel a lot. It removes dead skin and in my opinion is way more effective at removing the dead skin than a pedicure is. I’ve personally used the Baby Foot Peel. The price varies on Amazon, but I’ve usually found it for $20- $25. I found the reviews to be very helpful in making the peel most effective. This includes soaking your feet before you do the peel for at least 30 minutes, putting socks over the booties to help your feet absorb more product and soaking your feet every night for 10-15 min for the following week.

Step Outside and Enjoy the Sun

Spending some time in the sun has many benefits for our physical and mental health. One of the most well-known benefits is that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can help our bodies produce vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D also helps to regulate the immune system and may protect against certain cancers. Various studies have also linked low Vitamin D levels to diseases other than cancer, raising the possibility that vitamin D insufficiency is contributing to many major illnesses. Sun exposure can also improve mood and energy levels by increasing the production of endorphins, which are chemicals that make us feel good. Additionally, being in the sun can help to regulate our sleep patterns by resetting our circadian rhythm, which controls when we feel awake and sleepy. This can be particularly beneficial for people who have trouble sleeping or suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Read a Book or Listen to A Podcast

Reading, or listening to a podcast, can be a great way to practice affordable self-care. Not only is it an inexpensive activity, but it also can be a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. It can help distract us from our worries and provide a sense of calm. Reading can also be a great way to improve cognitive function, as it exercises our brains and helps to improve memory, focus, and concentration.

To practice self-care on a budget through reading, you can take advantage of your local library. Many libraries have a large collection of books in different formats, such as e-books and audiobooks, which can be borrowed for free or for a minimal fee. Kindle books can even be borrowed from your local library directly from your home. You can also find books for free online through Project Gutenberg.

Travel on a Budget

Traveling doesn’t mean spending thousands of dollars to get away. In fact, travel can mean driving an hour away to explore a local destination. Traveling on a budget can offer many benefits, both for our personal growth and for our wallets. Additionally, traveling on a budget can also be a great way to discover hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations. You can enjoy local, authentic food, and meet new people. Instead of sticking to popular tourist hotspots, you’ll be able to explore more unique and authentic places. Make travel affordable by using these travel hacks to travel for less.

Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to improve mental and emotional well-being. Take the time to appreciate and acknowledge the good things in life, no matter how small. When you focus on the positive aspects of your life, you shift your attention away from negative thoughts and feelings. This can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It’s also a great way to build resilience and increase overall satisfaction with life. To practice gratitude, you can start a gratitude journal where you write down three things you are thankful for each day. You can also take time to reflect on the things you’re grateful for before going to sleep at night or when you wake up in the morning. Another option is to share your gratitude with others, whether it’s by expressing appreciation to a loved one or showing your appreciation through charity. Incorporating gratitude into your daily routine can help you to build a more positive mindset and live a more fulfilling life.

Spend Time With Family and Friends

Socializing with loved ones is a great way to boost your mood. Studies have shown that people who have strong social connections have a reduced risk of developing depression and anxiety, as well as lower rates of stress. Additionally, spending time with friends and family can provide a sense of belonging and community, which can be essential for our overall happiness and satisfaction with life. Plan activities like picnics or potlucks that are easy on the budget.

Affordable Self-Care Summary

In conclusion, self-care is an essential part of maintaining our overall well-being, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many ways to practice self-care on a budget, from taking a relaxing bath to going outside and soaking in the sun, exercising, reading a book, cooking a healthy meal, practicing gratitude, spending time with friends and family, having a spa day at home. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to take care of yourself, you just need to get creative and find ways to make self-care a priority in your life. Remember, self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. So, take the time to prioritize yourself and your well-being today, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel.

Affordable Self-Care: Cheap and Easy Ways to Take Care of Yourself

Maximizing Your Savings: 10 Strategies For Growing Your Money Fast

by // Leave a Comment

fast cash, 10 tips for fast cash, short on cash

You need cash quick, more cash than you get in your paychecks. First, you need to getting back to the basics and boostrap your budget. But, you’ve already done that. Now what? You need to make fast cash by increasing the amount of money you bring in. Here are some tips on how to start earning fast cash today.

New Checking or Savings Account Bank Bonuses

Bank bonuses for setting up new savings or new checking accounts have started to come back. Nerdwallet has a list of the best bank bonuses available now. Weigh the pros and cons (I always look at if direct deposit is required for example) to better understand which offer best suits you. When banks run promotions, start to consider moving your emergency fund around to take advantage.

If you don’t have enough cash to do this right now, calculate how long it will take you to raise this cash and then check if you’ll meet the deadline of the promotion. Whether you’ll meet the deadline or not, immediately starting putting that cash into a high yield savings account that doesn’t have the bonus promotion. That way, you’ll leave options open to take advantage of the bank bonus later and start generating some interest.

High Yield Savings Accounts

High yield savings accounts remain far from inflation levels; however, the interest rates on high yield savings accounts have started to creep up. Personally, I use Marcus, and as of Oct 10, 2022 they offer an APY of 2.15%. This rate is significantly higher than the rates offered even in the first half of 2022. Recently, every few weeks the interest rates have been increasing so every month check in on the latest interest rates across several banks.

Bank Referral Bonuses

Not only are high yield savings accounts offering higher yields than the last few years, some are also offering referral bonuses. I referred a friend to Marcus and am making an extra 1% interest for 3 months (and they get an extra 1% too!). Right now, I am getting 3.15% APY on the money I have in my savings account.

Sell Clothes You Don’t Wear Anymore

A quick way to get cash is to sell clothes that are just sitting in your closet. Start listing clothing now now, before everyone starts doing this and marketplaces get flooded. You can use Poshmark to list your clothes, or send higher end items to TheRealReal. Really think about what you clothes you own and if you’ll wear it. For example, I’ve worked from home for years but used to have business travel so I have a decent work wardrobe. Now, I haven’t traveled since before covid and realistically will not be traveling often in the future. It’s hard to part with the clothes I “may need” in the future but many are really better off sold at this point.

Sell Electronics and Household Items You Don’t Use

Have old electronics or household items stuffed in closets that you don’t use anymore? Sell them. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist are good places to list electronics and household items. Some companies, like Apple, will give you money for old electronics they made, although the “cash” is sometimes given in the form of a gift card.

Sell Gift Cards You’ll Never Use

Gifted a gift card you’ll never use? Sell it for cash with Card Cash. They will not pay you the full value so getting fast cash through selling gift cards only makes sense if you’ll never use it.

Look for Class Action Lawsuits You Qualify For

I have never actively sought these out, but when Facebook notified me in the app that I could qualified for a settlement in IL I signed up. I figured since it was in the Facebook app itself it was legitimate. In the past, I would have ignored it thinking what’s the point it’ll probably be $10 in the end but it was only a few clicks so I filled out the information. I ended up getting a check for $397.

Turn Your Skills Into Cash

Think about your skill set and how you can monetize, especially if you have a niche skill set or a skill set currently in high demand. Can you become a freelance writer? Be an advisor to a startup or company? Create downloadable invites / table signs to sell on Etsy? There are plenty of opportunities to earn money, know your niche and figure out a way to monetize it.

Audit Your Dividends

Own dividend stocks? Where are those dividends going? If they’re set to auto-invest, you may want to stop auto-investing your dividends in the short term and take the cash. With high yield savings accounts and Treasury bill yields increasing, there may be a time soon when it’ll make sense not just to use your dividends in these investment vehicles but also sell your dividend stocks and get the yield with minimal risk.

Do A Quick Tax Checkup

If you have realized capital gains losses, after getting used to paying taxes the last few years due to capital gains, you may actually get a tax refund this coming year. And, if you have unrealized losses consider selling some and doing tax loss harvesting. It’s hard to “sell at the low” but you don’t know if it’s the low and if it’s no longer a great investment the money is likely better off in another investment.

While 2022 taxes are a ways away, it may be worth doing your taxes early next year to get that tax refund.

Fast Cash Summary

Remember, patience is key during times like these. The average bear market lasts 289 days, you can’t count on stock market gains for extra cash like you could the past few years. And, while unemployment numbers are still low, job stability feels less certain.

Even if you don’t need the cash right now, it’s best to have extra on hand. Liquidity is key and unfortunately inflation may not have a soft landing. Use these tips above to generate fast cash and help pay some bills as well as increase your emergency fund.