Tag Archive for: saving money

How To Dye Easter Eggs With Neck Ties

How to Dye Easter Eggs with Neck Ties

/in /by

Anyone who has ever dyed Easter eggs knows that it can be a messy activity, especially with young children. A new technique that has become the popular trend this year is fabric dyed eggs. This technique is not only super easy and mess free, but it also produces beautiful and unique Easter eggs. Keep scrolling and you will get our step by step guide on how to dye eggs using a men’s tie.

Supplies

Supplies needed to dye the eggs using fabric are an unboiled egg, scissors, an old white t-shirt, paper clip or string, a pot with lid to boil the eggs, a 100% silk tie, and 1/4 cup of vinegar.

Supplies

Step 1: Cut Up Tie

First thing to do is cut the tie so there is enough fabric  to wrap around the egg. Make sure to  loosen all thread so the fabric spreads out as shown below. It is important that your tie is 100% silk or the dye will not transfer over to the egg. We found our tie at Goodwill for $1.50.

laid-out

Step 2: Cut Out Shirt

Next you need to cut out a circle in the white t-shirt. Make sure to cut a circle large enough that you can completely cover the egg. You can actually use any thin fabric for this like an old sheet or pillow case. When choosing a fabric make sure it is completely white.

shirt

Step 3: Wrap Eggs in Fabric

Now you need to wrap the tie fabric around the eggs. Make sure the front side of the tie, the side that shows, is on the inside so more ink will bleed onto the egg. Using either a paper clip or string, tie the top so its tight around the egg. Next, take the t-shirt cut out and wrap around the egg the same.

Wrap

Step 4: Boil Egg

Place egg in a pot and make sure the water completely covers the egg. Add in 1/4 a cup of white vinegar and let boil for 20 minutes. Make sure to cover the pot when boiling.

Pot

Step 5: Let Cool and Unwrap

After 20 minutes of boiling, take out the eggs and let cool on  a towel for 10-15 minutes. Carefully unwrap eggs and see your beautiful creation. And thats it! super easy and fast with hardly any clean up.

finished

Happy Dog

Small Changes that will Make You Happier in Life

/in /by

True happiness-Is it not what everyone in life is after? If you view happiness as something that some just naturally have and others do not, then you are looking at this emotion completely wrong. Happiness is a feeling that needs to be nurtured. Everyone deserves to have it, yet you have to make a concise decision to strive for it. Though there are those individuals who are just naturally happier, attaining a greater sense of this emotion and achieving the title of “a happy person” can be done with these simple changes in your life.

Do what you love, love what you do

Is the only thing getting you through the day the anticipation of payday? Make sure the line of work you’re in matches up with things you enjoy doing. If you enjoy math, work in finances. If you’re a people person and enjoy helping others, work in retail or as a customer service rep. You want to be able to look forward to the activities you do everyday and not be counting down the hours till it’s over.

Smile often

Multiple studies have shown that just the act of smiling, whether it be sincere or not, can actually cause one to feel happier. Try to occasionally smile while driving to work everyday and see if your mood is improved.

Start exercising

It has been proven that daily physical activity lowers the risk of depression and anxiety. And don’t think that you now have to get a gym membership and become a fitness junkie. Just simply taking a light jog or walk for 10 minutes a day is all it takes to improve ones happiness and health.

Get adequate sleep

No matter how much you love your job and the people you work with, if you’re tired throughout the day it’s going to affect your mood. Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night will dramatically increase your chances of being happy. That’s 7 to 9 hours of good sleep as well. To help fall into a deep sleep, try to avoid using any mobile devices like tablets or smartphones 30 minutes before hitting the sack.

Spend time with the ones you love

Life is short, so spend it with the ones you love. Love is a strong emotion that is directly intertwined with happiness. Make a conscious effort to start spending more quality time with friends and family.

Get some fresh air

Staying cooped up all day is bound to make anyone go crazy eventually. And with television and the use of smart phones and other devices, you might not even realize how much of your free time is actually spent indoors. Spending more time outside and being exposed to healthy amounts of sunlight has been scientifically proven to trigger endorphins that create the feeling of happiness. Try taking your lunch breaks outside if possible and sitting on a porch or balcony when relaxing after a hard days work. Taking a hike on your day off is another excellent idea, which encompasses both exercise and being outdoors.

Happy Reading- Manage Your Finance

10 Things Money Can’t Buy

/in /by

Happiness

It’s the age-old question. Does money buy happiness? Some studies have shown that if spent the right way, money can in fact buy happiness, but the notion that having more money leads to more happiness is not always the case. Don’t get us wrong, having to stress until payday definitely doesn’t contribute to someone’s happiness. Money may be the answer to happiness related to materialistic things or less stress because of financial stability, but there are certain things in life that money can’t buy. Here is a list of 10 things that are very valued, yet no amount of money can buy them.

True Friendship

Money will definitely bring friends, but true and loyal friendships can’t be bought. A good friend can at times be a life necessity. There through the good times and the bad times, an honest, trusting relationship with someone is something to cherish and hold on to.

“ A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows you to grow.”

–William Shakespeare

Work Ethic

Being a hard and diligent worker will not only set you on the path to moving up that corporate ladder, but it is also a major reputation builder. Those with a good work ethic are respected and trusted by their peers. It’s a very valuable asset in life and shows true character in a person.

“Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

–Thomas Edison

Love

All you need is love. Love is one of the most powerful and strong emotions that contribute to ones happiness. To love and to be loved is not just something that is wanted by individuals but is needed by all.

“Love cures people, both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.”

– Dr. Karl Menninger

Experience

You can spend thousands on a college education at one the most prestigious schools, but when it comes to real-world experiences you can’t pay a dime for it. You have to put yourself in situations to gain relevant and real life experience. Wisdom is attained by succeeding and failing throughout life, which is exactly what gaining experience is all about.

“ The only source of knowledge is experience.”

– Albert Einstein

Peace of Mind

Some things in life are beyond our control and being able to cope with unexpected downfalls and not letting them affect our mental state negatively is having peace of mind. Peace of mind gives us freedom from stress and greatly contributes to our overall happiness.

“Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.”

–Christian D. Larson

Time

Heard of the saying, “time is money?” Well once its gone, you can’t buy it back. Time is a valuable thing because everyday that passes is one less day you have on this earth. What you chose to do with your time contributes tremendously to being a happy or unhappy person.

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” –William Penn

Positive Attitude

It’s all about perspective. Positivity can go a long way to creating a happy state of mind and it’s not something you can just pick up at the grocery store. Being a positive person not only spreads good vibes to your peers, but also contributes to lowering your stress level.

“ We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

– Abraham Lincoln

A Good Reputation

A good reputation is gained by your actions not by your bank account. Though you may get a reputation because you have money, having a good reputation comes down to a person’s character and how their interactions on a daily basis affect others negatively or positively.

“Its takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.”

–Benjamin Franklin

Talent

Don’t get a talent confused with a skill. You can pay to learn a skill, but a talent is something that comes naturally. Talents come in many forms, and everyone’s talents are not the same, which makes them a thing of value. How you use your talents can greatly define your happiness.

“Doing easily what others find difficult is talent; Doing what is impossible with talent is genius.”

–Henri Frederic Amiel

Finishing Something

Putting in the time and effort and successfully completing a goal or task is one of the best feelings in the world. Unfortunately you can’t bottle that feeling and sell it. It takes good old-fashioned work to create the satisfying feeling of finishing something.

“Much of the stress that people feel doesn’t come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they’ve started. “

–David Allen

Save Money On Your Next Vacation

Tips to Save More While Sacrificing Less

/in /by

SavingSacrificing

Everyone’s trying it and most fail at it. Why is saving money so hard to do? Along with the day-to-day expenses we all fall slave to, it’s easy to overindulge on things that bring you enjoyment. Although saving money is important to being financially stable, it shouldn’t make life dry and boring. Below we have outlined some ways to still be able to save, while also not having to sacrifice every enjoyable aspect of life.

Plan for The Fun

Making a weekly budget for groceries, gas, and bills is a given when trying to save money, but have you thought about making a budget for the fun stuff? Try budgeting an amount of money each week for extracurricular activities. Going out with friends, having a date night at the movies, or a shopping spree. Giving yourself an amount you are allowed to spend will keep your spending habits contained while also letting yourself partake in some fun.

Balance Your Wants and Needs

Most aspects in life are some form of give and take. When it comes to your finances, there are things you will need to spend money on and things you will want to spend money on. The key is to breakdown those expenses. Make a list of the things that you absolutely need and a list of the items you just want, that you can reasonably affordable. When making your “wants” list, put them in order of importance. Once all of your needs are taken care of put all money left over that was budgeted for those needs into a separate savings towards the item at the top of your wants list.

Save it for the Good Stuff

When making a budget for the “fun stuff” be picky what you spend that money on. Don’t blow it on something that won’t bring you as much happiness as something else. The key is to start planning out your activities for the week. Having a set schedule for fun, will also aid in keeping a set budget for it as well. Obviously, you can be flexible with this schedule, but making more conscience decisions about spending money on things you enjoy the most will help with spending less on those you don’t.

Change Some Habits

Yes, money can buy you a lot of things that can bring you happiness, but fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If the things you enjoy cost an arm and a leg, then switch it out with something else. Exploring all those free options that can bring you enjoyment will tremendously help with putting more money away for your savings. You might even find new hobbies and activities you never realized you would enjoy.

Small School Supplies

Best Back-To-School Deals

/in /by
Small School Supplies

It’s time to stock up on supplies, because school is about to be in session. There are tons of deals out there for back to school, and we have compiled a list of the best ones. Whether you’re a college student in need of a comfy futon or you need affordable school clothes for your kids, this list covers all the best deals running right now. Most expire this weekend, so make sure and start shopping to take advantage of these deals.

If payday is too far away but you need some cash, apply online for one of our loans or come into one of our 72 stores open 24/7 and get the cash you need to stock up on school supplies. – https://.af247.com/blog

Clothing and Uniforms

Old Navy has some great back to school deals on uniforms and clothing with up to 50% off all kids clothing. Get active wear and uniforms starting at $5, shorts and dresses starting at $8, and fleece jackets starting at $12.

Right now at Shoe Carnival if you buy one pair of shoes, you get a second pair ½ off.  You can also save $10 when you use the code NEWSPIN for all online purchases.

JcPenny is running a buy one get one for a penny on select jeans and pants as low as $19.99. Uniform polos for boys and girls are priced at $9.99.

Kmart is running a back to school special with $6 character tees and select jeans for only $10. They have all their school uniform apparel 20% off this weekend as well. Shoes are all buy one get one %50 off.

School Supplies

For the best deals on elementary school supplies, Wal-Mart is the place to go. Right now they have Crayola washable markers priced at $2.77, 3 pack eraser set at $1. 46, 12 pack of CASEMATE pencils at $0.98, and many more supplies substantially cheaper than other stores.

Head over to Dollar General to get all of your notebooks and paper products. Right now they are running a deal of $0.33 on college and wide ruled notebooks, 125 count paper packs for $0.75, and 3 ring binders at $2.75.

Backpacks

Kmart has taken up to 30% off all backpacks.

Wal-Mart is currently stocked with a variety of elementary school backpacks at the low prices of $6.88.

Target is running a sale of up to 10% off all backpacks and lunch bags.

Electronics

Wal-Mart is taking up to $250 off select laptops. You can purchase online and get free shipping or find in stores.

Right now Apple is running a promotion that when you buy a Mac or iPad Pro for college you’ll get a free pair of wireless Beats headphones.

Best Buy is running deals on multiple electronics. Right now you can get $125 off select Mac laptops, tv’s for less than $500, and HP ENVY All-in-One Printers for just $29.99

Security Deposit For Loan

How to Make Sure You Get Back Your Security Deposit

/in /by
Security Deposit For Cash

If you have ever rented an apartment, condo, or house, chances are you had to give your landlord a security deposit before moving in. For some this can be a substantial amount of money, ranging from a half or a full months rent sometimes. A security deposit is intended to pay for damages that a renter may have left after moving out, so if you’re a well behaved tenant you should have no issues getting that money back. Unfortunately, according to multiple studies, the majority of renters do not receive any of their security deposit back. To ensure you get all or most of your deposit, make sure and follow these simple tips.

Document all existing defects before moving in

Moving into a new place can be exciting, but don’t let that excitement get in the way of noticing any defects with the property. Most apartment complexes give you a form to fill out before move in that outlines any existing damages. Go through the property with a fine tooth-comb and find every defect imaginable. If your landlord doesn’t give you a form to fill out, create your own list to give to them before moving in. This will protect you from being charged a crazy amount for that tiny chipped piece of trim that was already there.

Read your contract and abide by the rules

Make sure you know all the rules set in place by your landlord and follow them. Things like installing new light fixtures, painting rooms, or having multiple pets can sometimes cause you to break the terms of the lease. Read the entire contract and know exactly what you can and cannot do. If your landlord gives you verbal permission to do something that is not outlined in the contract, make sure to get it in writing with their signature.

Keep it clean

Leaving your apartment smelling like old pizza is just asking for the landlord to start his inspection with a negative attitude. Clean that place better than you have ever cleaned it before. A lot of contracts have a mandatory cleaning fee that comes out of your deposit. Even if this is the case, clean it anyways. You do not want to give your landlord any excuse to take more than they should. After cleaning, ask to be present during the inspection and bring the list you created of existing defects before moving in.

Be informed of your rights as a renter

Did you know as a tenant of a rental property, you are awarded certain rights by the government? As a renter, you are protected by unjust practices such as, the actual amount asked for a security deposit, charges for ordinary wear and tear to the property, and not supplying a written list of charges to be taken out of a security deposit. In 47 states it is against the law for a landlord to take any amount of money out of your deposit without an itemized list of the damages and the cost to repair them. To find out about all your rights as a renter visit www.tn.gov/health/article/renters.

Eggs With Dye For Easter

How to Dye Easter Eggs Using Ties

/in /by

finished2

Anyone who has ever dyed Easter eggs knows that it can be a messy activity, especially with young children. A new technique that has become the popular trend this year is fabric dyed eggs. This technique is not only super easy and mess free, but it also produces beautiful and unique Easter eggs. Keep scrolling and you will get our step by step guide on how to dye eggs using a men’s tie.

Supplies

Supplies needed to dye the eggs using fabric are an unboiled egg, scissors, an old white t-shirt, paper clip or string, a pot with lid to boil the eggs, a 100% silk tie, and 1/4 cup of vinegar.

Supplies

Step 1: Cut Up Tie

First thing to do is cut the tie so there is enough fabric  to wrap around the egg. Make sure to  loosen all thread so the fabric spreads out as shown below. It is important that your tie is 100% silk or the dye will not transfer over to the egg. We found our tie at Goodwill for $1.50.

laid-out

Step 2: Cut Out Shirt

Next you need to cut out a circle in the white t-shirt. Make sure to cut a circle large enough that you can completely cover the egg. You can actually use any thin fabric for this like an old sheet or pillow case. When choosing a fabric make sure it is completely white.

shirt

Step 3: Wrap Eggs in Fabric

Now you need to wrap the tie fabric around the eggs. Make sure the front side of the tie, the side that shows, is on the inside so more ink will bleed onto the egg. Using either a paper clip or string, tie the top so its tight around the egg. Next, take the t-shirt cut out and wrap around the egg the same.

Wrap

Step 4: Boil Egg

Place egg in a pot and make sure the water completely covers the egg. Add in 1/4 a cup of white vinegar and let boil for 20 minutes. Make sure to cover the pot when boiling.

Pot

Step 5: Let Cool and Unwrap

After 20 minutes of boiling, take out the eggs and let cool on  a towel for 10-15 minutes. Carefully unwrap eggs and see your beautiful creation. And thats it! super easy and fast with hardly any clean up.

finished

Valvoline Instant Oil Change Store

49% Off Valvoline Oil Change

/in /by

Untitled-4-Recovered

DEAL FINDER ALERT!!!! Right now you can get 49% off an oil change from Valvoline. This deal is being offered on Groupon.com and is a limited time offer, so make sure and purchase this coupon quick before it runs out.

Click Here to get this deal.

Promo Cartoon

How to Save Money On Prom Expenses

/in /by
Promo Cartoon

It’s prom season, and if you are a parent with a child who will be attending, you’re about to feel the financial sting that comes with this annual high school event. Between the outfits, tickets, and dinner, the cost for this one night can be significantly high. Frugality is the answer to making sure you don’t completely break the bank, and we have complied a list of the best ways to save money on expenses associated with prom night.

Dress2

It’s number one on this list because lets face it, it’s the most important. To make sure that she gets the perfect dress without paying a ton of money, there are a couple of things you can do. There are multiple second hand dress sites like thedresslist.com where you can get a dress for up to 70% off the original price and most of the time these dresses have only been worn once. Another route to go is renting a dress. Renttherunway.com is a great online site to rent multiple designer dresses cheap. They will actually send you two sizes to make sure the fit is perfect.

tux2

When it comes to a tuxedo, it’s really not necessary and can be a major waste of money to rent. Some tux places charge up to $250 just for one night. The simpler and cheaper option is to buy a suit. Companies like H&M, Target, and JcPenny offer affordable black suits as cheap as $100. And if he has to have a tux, there are also deals at Men’s Wearhouse where you can purchase a regular tux as low as $99.

accessories2

Thrift stores are where it’s at when it comes to jewelry. Not only will you be able to find some unique vintage pieces, but you will also pay a fraction of the cost that boutiques charge. Just like buying a used dress, you can also get used formal shoes online as well from sites like Tradsey.com.

flowers2

The average price paid for a corsage is $35-$40, with a boutonniere being $15-$20. Both are extremely overpriced and the cost of supplies to make your own is substantially lower. Not only can you save big time with a DIY corsage and boutonniere, but you can also make it custom and unique. There are multiple DIY articles out there to help with this project, but one of our favorites is from Seventeen Magazine’s online blog. Click here to find out how to make your own unique and affordable corsage or boutonniere.

Dinner2

Part of the prom tradition is the dinner before the dance. A good way to save money for the dinner is to call local restaurants and ask if they have any prom deals or specials. Just like Valentines Day, a lot of places will have dinner deals for those attending prom. Another affordable option is to cook the meal yourself for your kid. You can find a romantic destination, and set the mood with candles and rose peddles.

afterparty2

The after party fun is what most high school kids look forward to the most. A lot of times bowling, roller skating or going to a house party is on the list of activities. To keep your kids safe, while also cutting down on cost, try organizing a party or renting out a place and splitting the cost with other parents. If you get a good size group to pitch in, the cost could be as low as $20.e offer products similar to a Payday loans, loans, flex loans, title loans, and installment loans, at  Advance Financial. If you need cash fast we got you covered. We offer flexibility with our Flex Loan. 

Burger With USB- New Idea

Weird and Wacky Items You Need in Your Life

/in /by

wierdcover

When it comes to online shopping, the sky is the limit for weird and wacky items available to purchase. Do you actually “need” any of these items? Probably not. They all would definitely add a little uniqueness to your life, though. Here is our list of some of the most interesting items available to order online.

USB Type Writer

UBS-Typewriter

uncommongoods.com

Monkey Nail Dryer

monkey

infmetry.com

Mini Donut Factory

donut

bedbathandbeyond.com

Singing Pasta Timer

sining

amazon.com

Webbed Swim gloves

Web-Hands

wish.com

Scary bottle squeezer

ketchup

blacklabproducts.com

Food USBs

food-usb

amazon.com

Chemist Spice Rack

spicerack

amazon.com

Bear Oven Mitts

bearmittens

amazon.com

Splash Bowls

Splash-Bowl

amazon.com