Archives for February 2017

How Does Giving Assistant Work?

February 27, 2017 | Leave a Comment

I think we can all agree that shopping online is the bees’ knees, right? Not only are online prices super competitive, the “work” of shopping can often be done faster from home. And bonus; the items you buy are delivered right to your front door. As an added benefit, companies like Giving Assistant are actually paying customers to shop online.

That’s right. They give you cash back on the things you buy.

How Giving Assistant Works

The first step is to create a free account with Giving Assistant.

After you log in to your account, you can start shopping either by store or by category. Each store offers a certain percentage of cash back on purchases. Five percent is the average discount percentage. However, many stores offer discounts of up to 7% and even more, depending on the day.

When you make a purchase, the store pays that cash back to Giving Assistant. If you’re a member, the cash back goes right into your account.

If you’re a non-member, Giving Assistant keeps the cash back and donates a meal to Feeding America. In fact, Giving Assistant donates a meal to Feeding America for every single qualified purchase.

As a bonus, Giving Assistant informs buyers of any online coupons that can help bring their purchase price even lower. When you combine coupons with cash back bonuses you save even more money on the things you buy.

How to Receive Your Cash Back Bonuses

As you accumulate cash back rewards, the site allows you to transfer those rewards to a debit card through Paypal. You’ll have the option to transfer your money once you’ve earned at least $5.01 in bonus cash. No waiting for checks to come in the mail or trying to reach high minimum payout balances.

Giving Assistant pays out pretty quickly as well – often within one business day when using Paypal’s secure site.

Giving to Charity through Giving Assistant

When members earn cash back, they also have the option of donating some or all of their earnings to charity. Members can choose from hundreds of non-profit organizations to donate to, such as Feed the Children or the Red Cross.

Which Stores Participate?

According to their website, Giving Assistant has over 2700 stores participating in its cash back program. Some examples are:

Big box stores such as Walmart, Target, Kmart and Kohls
Online retailers such as Amazon and Coburn’s
Specialty sites such as Etsy, Redbubble, Café Press and Ebay
Specialty stores such as Macy’s, Nordstrom, Coach and Ann Taylor

With nearly 3,000 stores to choose from, everyone is bound to find a shopping venue that fits their needs.

In this day and age, people are becoming more mindful of how their purchases affect the world as a whole. With Giving Assistant, shoppers can become a part of a growing conscious capitalism movement.

By combining shopping with charity, you meet your needs and help the less fortunate get their needs met, too. Shopping responsibly has arrived.

Are you a fan of shopping online? Would you ever try Giving Assistant? Share why or why not below!

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Living On Very Little Income? Here Are Some Basic Considerations.

February 20, 2017 | Leave a Comment

As a trained financial coach and someone who has experienced life below the poverty line, I’m passionate about helping people who find themselves living on very little income. I want them to know there’s more hope than they realize. It’s not easy, but there are steps people can take today to improve their financial situation at home. Let’s go over a few of those basic considerations now.

Living on very little income? Here are some basic considerations.

What you earn annually does not directly affect your living situation. For example, things like cost of living, recurring bills, spending habits, and hobbies make a huge difference. Some families can make do on $25,000, others struggle with $125,000.

The key component that made the biggest difference in my own life wasn’t my bank account balance, it was my behavior. When my mindset shifted toward healthier habits, the numbers inevitably followed. Here are a few key behavioral shifts I made that improved our finances when money was especially tight.

3 Ways to Successfully Live On Less

Protect the “four walls.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty line for a family of four is $24,339. View your family’s size and threshold here.

In the book The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, author Dave Ramsey talks about taking care of the “four walls.” This is a key component for anyone who is living on very little income. The four walls are:

Food
Shelter (rent, mortgage, utilities)
Transportation (fuel, auto maintenance)
Clothing (when needed)

You may experience creditors calling you about a bill that’s overdue, what’s that when your family is still able to eat and there’s no eviction notice on your door? Protecting the four walls, no matter your income, puts you in a completely different place emotionally.

Start a “Rainy Day” fund

If you feel like you’re one broken appliance away from a crisis due to your limited income, it’s time to save up for emergencies. It’s so easy to say you can’t spare an extra $500 right now to just sit in the bank, you wouldn’t be alone in that thinking. Over 62% of people responded in a recent Bankrate poll that they wouldn’t be able to cover an unexpected expense like a $500 car repair or a $1,000 trip to the ER.

But remember, we’re looking at modifying behavior. You can walk a different path than the majority.

For example, how would it feel if your radiator cracked and white smoke started billowing out of your hood tomorrow? Now how would it feel if you knew there was money in the bank to fix it immediately? You’ve just reduced a crisis to a problem with a solution.

Ways to save for emergencies:

Create a budget and educate yourself on your current spending habits. Cut back in areas of excess and drop that extra cash into an emergency fund. For free printable or downloadable budget forms, click here.
Set up an automated savings transfer every month to make sure the habit sticks.
Sell items around your house on Facebook or in a garage sale. Got a stack of books lying around? Try selling them on Amazon or Bookscouter.com.
Eliminate as much debt as possible. This will free up more and more money each month to put toward savings and living expenses.

Increase your income.

If you’ve protected your four walls, started planning ahead for emergencies, and created a budget to track your spending, then congratulations. You’re light-years ahead of so many Americans who carry the stress and worry of finances on their shoulders day in and day out.

Many people skip those first integral steps and jump straight to this last one: Increase your income. Hopefully, now you can see why a shift in your own habits needs to take place first. Then, you’ll feel more empowered to do something to increase your income. The foundation has been laid. Now here are a few ways to increase your income:

Pick up a second job.
Increase your hours or work overtime.
Seek a promotion or raise.
Start a side hustle from home.
Seek out a higher-paying job.

You have the same 24 hours as everyone else, so getting a second job or working longer hours comes with the sacrifice of time away from home. If that’s what it takes to protect your four walls and set up a buffer against emergencies, then that might be the right answer for the time being.

If you’re living on very little income, this is probably a difficult season for you. Change won’t happen overnight, but if you build a financial foundation based on your values (i.e. protecting your family), then each decision will flow out of that and sacrifices like cutting up a credit card or eating out less will sting less. The trade off will eventually be a more peaceful home and greater financial freedom.

Have you ever experienced living on very little income? What steps did you take to improve your finances?

This post may contain affiliate links.

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Make Melbourne Happen – Why Live in the Garden City

February 16, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Everyone in Melbourne will tell you that the garden city is indeed Australia’s most cosmopolitan and multicultural centres. Did you know that almost half of the city’s residents were born overseas? Also, a third of the population speak a language other than English, and more than 140 nationalities are represented within the borders.

Here are some personal reasons why you should (strongly) consider moving to Melbourne, whether you’re migrating interstate or overseas. a

Great job opportunity. Australia’s second largest city boasts numerous job opportunities. There are many jobs to be had especially if you’re willing to line in the smaller towns and cities that offer more urgent demand for skilled employees.

Affordable communities. Over several years, Melbourne Australia has been ranked as one of the three World’s Most Liveable Cities – and rightly so. New Lendlease housing communities in Melbourne includes Atherstone, Harpley, Mayfield and Aurora which are still available despite being suburbs that are near the CBD. Check it out!

Awesome public transportation. In Melbourne, you’ll learn just how important it is for a city to have efficient transport links. If you’re from somewhere where transportation is equal ways a hassle and comfort, then the latter is what you’ll mostly experience here. The city is laid out in a grid, which makes hopping on trams and going around so easy. Transportations run until 1:30 am, with awesome Nightrider buses on weekends to get you home after a night of partying.

Beach living. Love the beach? You’ll love it here. Melbourne has some of the most beautiful beaches and awesome spots to cool down on a scorcher. There’s the Brighton beach, an ideal spot for swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers, St. Kilda Beach, which is a hotspot for local and tourists, Williamstown Beach, which is a stone’s throw away from the city and popular for swimmers, sailors, and sunbakers, Sorrento Beach, and Mordialloc Beach, both of which are spectacular in their own rights.

The coffee madness. Melbourne thumps most city when it comes to the quality of the coffee. From the al-fresco Italian restaurants of DeGrave’s Street to the hole-in-the-wall cafes of Centre Place or the Cacao coffee shops you’ll find just about everywhere, there’s nothing in Melbourne like meeting with your friends for a good cup of steaming hot coffee and just wiling away the day or watching people walk by.

Drinking spots. One thing you’ll notice in Melbourne is that Sunday Session is a tradition. People simply forgets about the fact that they have to work the next morning and finds themselves at set at their favourite bar. You’ll love the thrown-together look of Section 8, a cool container bar on Tattersalls Lane. Bars here aren’t just great for casual Sunday, you can try them on a Friday or Saturday night as well.

Market frenzy. Visiting the markets in Melbourne is nothing short of fantastic, especially when you go to South Melbourne market that’s famous for its delicious dim sums and surrounded by different restaurants offering worldwide cuisines. Try going on Sunday afternoon to pick up some affordable fruits and vegetables, some breadstick and cheese while listening to the jazz band playing at the restaurant on the corner.

To know the current cost of living in Melbourne, simply click this link.

End Note

Most of all, it’s the people of Melbourne who made It what it is today – a city of diversity, wonder, and opportunities. Check out the Lendlease housing communities in Melbourne to acquaint yourself in some of the best new neighbourhood offerings in the wonderful garden city.

Costco LEGOs Q & A: The Best Deal In Town or Not Worth the Trip?

February 13, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Costco can be so beneficial for families. You can often find quality products at a great price. Their various organic food selection is an example. But, what about something like toys? More specifically, what about Costco LEGOs?

Worth the trip to find a deal or keep on looking?

LEGOs have been one of the most popular toys for boys and girls since their start in 1932. The colorful, interlocking bricks give kids a chance to put down their screens, engage their minds, and unleash their imaginations.

The problem is, buying new LEGOs can get expensive quickly. Sets that follow a certain theme, like Star Wars or Harry Potter, charge more than normal for the affiliation. If Costco is known for its competitive prices, then are Costco LEGOs the best deal?

Let’s do some Q & A and find out:

Costco LEGOs Q & A: Best Deal In Town or Not Worth the Trip?

Q: Does Costco sell LEGOs?

A. Yes. There is often an assortment of LEGO products available at Costco, although it does vary. You can also shop online at Costco.com. Overall, you will see considerably less variety than a place like Walmart, Target or Amazon.

Q: Why does Costco have less selection than other stores?

A: According to Costco’s Wholesale Disclosure:

Costco operates membership warehouses based on the concept that offering members very low prices on a limited selection of products will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. This rapid inventory turnover, when combined with the operating efficiencies achieved by volume purchasing and reduced handling of merchandise enables Costco to operate profitably at significantly lower gross margins than traditional wholesalers.

Translation: Costco sells hand-picked, quality brands faster and with fewer employees than supermarkets.

After speaking with an administrative representative at my local Costco who declined being named for this interview, he explained that Costco doesn’t carry any particular product year-round. Their mission is to find the trend, buy it early, mark down the price considerably, and sell it at the peak season.

Q: How can I save the most money on LEGOs at Costco?

A: Knowledge is key. Costco’s LEGO selection is very limited during the first two-thirds of the year. Your best bet during those months is to glance at the selection online and keep in mind other options like Amazon or Walmart.

The best ways to save money in general at Costco are:

Sign up for an Executive membership. By doing so, you’ll receive 2% cash back on every qualified purchase. At the end of year, you receive a check in the mail – redeemable only at Costco – for all the money you earned back.
Browse your monthly Costco flier. It’ll come to you in the mail right before the beginning of a new month and includes every sale, including toys.
Sign up for email offers. You’ll receive exclusive coupons and deal alerts from Costco via email.
Follow deal hunting blogs like Krazy Coupon Lady to receive the most up-to-date information about Costco products. For example, KCL created this detailed post on every LEGO toy available during the Christmas shopping season of 2016. Many of the LEGO products were discounted significantly!

In Conclusion

Is Costco the best place to buy LEGOs? Not until the holidays, and not if you’re looking for a wide variety.

If you just want to buy some new LEGOs within your price range, then I suggest using some of the money-saving techniques mentioned above. The great thing about Costco is that you can’t loose, their return policy is outstanding. If you find a better price on LEGOs, and want to return them at Costco, they’ll probably take them. So, keep your eyes open for a deal, follow a blogger who’s going to do the leg work to keep you informed during the holidays, and go find yourself a great deal.

What’s your favorite thing to shop for at Costco?

Image Credit: Roger Ahlbrand (Creative Common)

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Top Cosmetic Products that Cause Damage

February 11, 2017 | Leave a Comment

While the intention behind cosmetic products is to enhance beauty, these products can sometimes be harmful. They can hurt the skin or the entire body and could lead to serious health problems.

These are the top products to watch out for:

Skin Products Containing Mercury

There are tons of skin creams containing mercury, and most of them are purchased from shady locations in the Middle East and Asia. These creams are supposed to make the skin lighter, prevent aging, or prevent wrinkles.

Mercury can cause memory problems and changes in vision. It can also lead to tremors and hearing problems. This heavy metal has been known to cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys. In unborn children, it can hinder brain development. When you use such products, mercury accumulates in the body, and its effects can be adverse.

Mascara

Since mascara is applied in the eyes, it has a higher probability of contracting bacteria. This is despite the fact that it has preservatives that prevent the growth of bacteria. The problem is that the preservatives only last for three months, after which they become ineffective. The preservatives may also be destroyed by heat.

When you apply a bacteria-infected mascara, it can cause sties, or your cornea may get infected.

Mascara can also contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a known lung, eye, and skin irritant. This chemical can combine with others to form a carcinogen.

Lubricants Containing Parabens

Parabens can lead to reduced sperm count. They can also result in skin or breast cancer.

Parabens may interfere with the normal functioning of hormones by penetrating through the skin and mimicking the work of estrogen. They may also interfere with the reproductive functions of males.

When Parabens are applied to the skin, they do not undergo metabolism and enter the body organs and blood stream.

Tooth Whitening Products

Tooth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that can be harmful, sometimes. When the patient is undergoing a dental whitening procedure, the patient is expected to wait for a longer time for the teeth and gums to be soaked.

During this time, the patient may take in a variety of toxins. One of the chemicals that may be swallowed is hydrogen peroxide, which releases free radicals and stimulates the growth of cancer cells. Other products that may be ingested include fluorides, Aluminum, Aspartame, Coal tars, and Benzene.

So, the question is whether Cigna dental insurance may cover such a procedure. Unfortunately, no, in most cases. Typically, dental insurance covers procedures that are related to wellness and health; like root canals and routine cleanings.

Lipstick Containing lead or BHA and BHT

Sometimes, red lipstick may contain harmful amounts of lead, and ingesting this heavy metal may result in brain damage or behavior abnormalities. Lead has also been linked with miscarriage and reduced fertility in both sexes. In some cases, it can cause delayed puberty in girls.

Even the lowest amount of lead can affect the central nervous system and the fetus. In fact, low exposure to lead can affect the immune system, kidneys, and the cardiovascular system. On the other hand, when the amount is high, the victim may experience an IQ deficit.

Both BHA and BHT are capable of causing allergic reactions. BHT can increase the probability of a tumor and can also cause adverse reproductive effects.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, women continue using these products without checking their labels.

Facts About Loans Debt and How It Can Affect You

February 9, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Basically, you start to drown in debt. In a short time period, not only you’d have reduced your debt significantly but you will also reach a high credit score. At this point of moment debt consolidation loans appear to be quite valuable to those individuals who aren’t able to pay back their debt of loan at the most suitable moment.

More than 1 debt may lead to an extremely tough cycle of unmanageable finances which is difficult to break.

It is necessary to dig from the debt as speedily as possible as a way to avoid increased interest expenses, and these top debt consolidation loans are able to help you do that. You’re going to know right away whenever the debt is going to be paid in full. Sometimes our debts are small and simple to look after, and other times they’re large and seemingly not possible to work around. If you prefer to work to pay off your student loans debt on your own, then it’s vital to compile a list and some information which can you become successful in doing this.

Things You Should Know

Taking car title loans is an increasing phenomenon. A debt consolidation loan is most likely one of the greatest approaches to get rid of debt. The online consolidation loans may combine charge card debts, phone debts, store card accounts, overdue rent, medical bills and several more. Eventually, they submit an application for a low credit debt consolidation loans throughout the online option.

Well, you can like them or may not, loans should be repaid. You will also see that the unsecured loan provides a greater rate of interest than the secured loans like mortgages on account of the greater risk you pose to the lending company. Unsecured debt consolidation loans will turn out to be an excellent aid for you. They have been customized to provide you with the finance required to consolidate your current debt obligations.

The unsecured type would enable you to acquire the loan without needing to put up collateral, based on your case by means of your credit rating, you may just qualify for the secured private student loan. You might want to think about obtaining a debt Consolidation Loan as there are many advantages to using this alternative. Inexpensive debt consolidation loans are subjective, so whenever you see affordable” interest prices, they might or might not be relevant for you. They also allow you to lower your total payments in most cases. They are among the top rated loans. Debt consolidation mortgage loans offer you several distinct benefits to buyers or consumers with significant charge card.

To find loan quickly sanctioned you are able to apply online. Thus, it isn’t exceptional, Obtaining a poor credit debt consolidation loan is quite easy with large number of private financial loan lenders on the market.

Take Over Apartment Lease – How to Quickly Find Your Replacement Renter

February 6, 2017 | Leave a Comment

The tricky thing about life is that it doesn’t always line up with our schedule. Perhaps you find yourself in a situation where you have to move before your lease is up. Breaking a lease is complicated, potentially expensive, and best avoided at all cost. However, when you have no choice, and your to-do list suddenly includes “someone must take over apartment lease,” here are your next three steps.

Take Over Apartment Lease – How to Quickly Find Your Replacement Renter

Perhaps “Plan A” was to coordinate your moving date with the end of your lease. Perhaps an unexpected life event occurred like an out-of-state job offer or the end of a relationship. Now your facing “Plan B.” You might be wondering where to even begin.

Step 1 – Understand your options.

Spend some time reading over your lease agreement. It will include vital information about what’s expected of you and your landlord if a lease break occurs. In many states, you may be required to help find a replacement renter, but that’s not always the case.

Meanwhile, start putting away money in savings. If you break your leasing agreement, you’ll likely pay the amount of your rent for every month until another renter can be found.

One caveat to this is if you had to move out due to your landlord not following through with his commitment in the contract.

For example, maybe you’ve discovered mold. It’s a direct result of a leaky appliance your landlord promised to replace. If the agreement to fix this appliance was in writing, you could have just cause for breaking your lease early.

Step 2 – Inform your landlord as soon as possible.

The benefits of informing your landlord of your plans sooner rather than later outweigh the drawbacks. They are as follows:

Being proactive, polite, and honest about your plans to leave will help greatly, especially if you discover there is room for negotiation on your break lease.
As I mentioned early, you may legally be required to help your landlord find a replacement renter. Therefore, the sooner you bring it to his or her attention, the sooner you can both begin your search. The sooner you begin searching, the less you’ll have to pay in rent down the road.
Depending on the terms in your lease agreement, you may have the option of a termination agreement with your landlord. That would basically allow you to pay a one-time fee for breaking your lease early without the extra work of finding a subletter or new tenant.

Step 3 – Find someone to take over your apartment lease.

If no termination agreement can be reached and you have no other choice but to find your replacement, try these options:

Notice boards – One common place for soliciting new apartment tenants is on notice boards located at grocery stores, laundromats, or within the apartment complex, itself.
Craigslist – Another option is to list the information on Craigslist. Be careful about how much personal information you share online and about meeting any potential renters alone.
Local newspaper – Before there was Craigslist, there was the newspaper. The exposure your request receives, the quicker you’ll find someone.
Social media – Again, be cautious about your personal information, but word of mouth can be a great asset when you’re searching for someone to take over your apartment lease in a hurry.
Hire a 3rd party to transfer the lease for you – There are companies who will market your apartment’s vacancy and transfer your lease for you. Always read the fine print, weigh the cost, and understand what you’ll still be responsible for when they’re finished.

When in doubt, try to protect your contract from a lease break. But if you absolutely cannot, use these steps as a guide through this time of transition.

What are some ways you’d recommend someone finding a replacement renter quickly?

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Why Trade Forex?

February 1, 2017 | Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that forex (the foreign exchange market for currency) is the largest of all financial markets. Compared to the stock market, it is many times larger. Simply put, forex is trading one currency for another. According to constant fluctuations in rates, there are substantial profits to be made for traders who understand the market. Although there are in excess of 100 different types of currencies available around the world, the currency pairs most traded include the Japanese yen, the US dollar, the Euro, the British pound, the Australian dollar, the Swiss franc, the Canadian dollar and the Swedish krona. The benefits of trading forex are as numerous as the type of traders, but here are some of the key points.

Saving on Commissions with Forex

Even novice traders can begin pocketing their profits right away because there is no need for middlemen when trading in forex. There are no hidden fees to eat away at profits, such as exchange fees, clearing fees, government charges or brokerage expenses. By dealing with spot currency trading, there are no middlemen, so traders can deal directly with the specific market that is responsible for pricing any currency pair. Since retail brokers get paid through “bid/ask spread” there are no additional charges for their basic services.

Markets Open Around the Clock

Anyone accustomed to trading on the stock market knows that nothing happens before the opening bell is sounded. Night owls, no matter where they are located, can trade forex anytime of the day or night. From Monday morning, the forex market is open for business 24-hours a day, five days a week. Traders can enter into positions according to local time zones, depending on the currency traded and geographic locations.

Easy Entry Without Limitations

In some markets, contracts available for investment are set at standard sizes. This is not the case when trading in forex. You can set your own position size, or size of lot, in spot forex. The beginning trading choices range between mini and micro. While it may not be profitable to start with the smallest amount, it is possible to begin with as little as $25. Most brokerages offer free demo accounts, which makes it easier to learn and get accustomed to the market before plunging in head first. With limited capital to begin with, anyone can step into the world of forex.

High Rate of Liquidity

The fact that the forex market is huge keeps it extremely fluid. So without fear of being stuck with an unwanted currency pair, a trader can be confident that there will always be a buyer available. This is important, since clicking on a trade can be done in a flash. This incredibly fast-paced market is always stocked with buyers and sellers on every side of the globe. Additionally, through an online trading platform, a trade can be automatically closed when the level of profit has been reached. Conversely, a stop loss order would close any trade that is going downhill.