February 2017 - I Heart Frugal
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Month: February 2017

Family/Life

How to Let Go of Items You Once Loved

 

Letting Go of Items Once Loved
Letting Go of Items Once Loved

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Did anyone used to watch the show “Hoarders”? The story-line involved people who could not let go of accumulated stuff and their houses were eventually overtaken by knick-knacks and other sentimental treasures.  Experts would swoop in and try to convince the poor souls to let go of items to improve their living conditions.  I’m not even sure it is still on, but let’s face it, we all have a bit of that sentimental hoarding-side that makes us clutter-happy. (Useful Tips for Decluttering Your Home and Gaining Perspective).

Why Is It So Hard to Let Go of Clutter?

The definition of a hoarder is “a person who hoards things.” (Google definitions) So true, it is easy to have obsessiveness with certain items. Mostly, we hold on to stuff that evokes emotion and conjures up memories and/or nostalgic feelings.

Nonetheless, fear is triggered when parting with our items. We have a fear of regret. We are anxious about forgetting our dearest memories. Of course, we do not want to let go of these wonderful items.

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Save Money

10 Outstanding Ways to Save on Dining Out

Learn how to save money on eating out at restaurants.

10 Outstanding Ways to Save on Dining Out!
10 Outstanding Ways to Save on Dining Out!

 

Great food, ambiance, company, conversation…Who doesn’t like a good night out? Dining out with the family is a wonderful experience. The chef in your house gets a break and you can enjoy the company of loved ones.  Yet, dining out can also be expensive and wreak havoc on your budget.

It would be fun to eat out often; however, it is not always sustainable financially. Nonetheless, there are sensible ways to eat out at restaurants for the occasional treat.

However, I do not recommend dining out often if you are on a budget. Yet going out once or twice a month using the tips listed below, will give you a fun endeavor and won’t break the bank. So pack up the kids and hit the town!

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Budgeting

Secrets to Saving for an Emergency Fund

Secrets to Saving for an Emergency Fund

Secrets to Saving for an emergency fund now!
Secrets to Saving for an emergency fund now!

(Updated March 2021)

What is an Emergency Fund?

An emergency fund is a fund you set up to cover surprises that pop up, you weren’t expecting to pay. It happens to all of us at some point and having an emergency fund will give you security and less stress. You can take comfort in knowing you are covered when you end up in a surprise situation. If you do not have an emergency fund, it is best to learn how to save for an emergency fund quickly. You can start a mini-emergency fund for now of $1000 and build it up more when you are able.

Do You Need an Emergency Fund?

In short, yes, you need an emergency fund to cover different financial situations that come up unexpectedly.

Imagine you wake up, get ready for work, and start to walk out the door.  Suddenly you step into a puddle on the carpet. The next step is an even bigger puddle! Why is the carpet drenched? After searching more, you realize your water heater has flooded! This happened to us! Yes, our carpet was ruined and we needed a new water heater.

Or your son fell off the monkey bars at school, landed wrong, and ended up in a cast. Your insurance doesn’t cover the entire bill and you are left paying around $300. This also happened to us. An unexpected medical bill or two can leave you reaching for your plastic card.

Both of these situations happened to me and my family. These were times when we needed a large amount of money to fix the situation at hand. Fortunately, we had an emergency fund saved to ease the burden of these surprise bills. Whether it be your water heater, new roof, health emergency, car accident or any other situation with a surprise bill, there are times in life when you need extra money above your regular budget.


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Family/Life

Useful Tips for Decluttering Your Home and Gaining Perspective

Tips for Decluttering Your Home

Declutter your house and gain perspective
Declutter your house and gain perspective

Are you overwhelmed by clutter and mess? This post will teach you how to declutter your apartment or home and keep it organized. You will also learn why staying organized is important and how clutter can affect you mentally.

“The Secret of Getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

Is your house clutter getting out of control? Mine is and it is time to stop it dead in its tracks like a construction zone on an interstate!

Aren’t we all tired of looking at the likes of paper products all over our kitchen counter and toys in every room! Toys, toys, toys…Oh, my! When I became a parent, no one warned me about the toys!

Fortunately, these items are easily organized! Set up some decluttering time and buy a few storage bins! Keep reading to find out more!

Related:

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Family/Life, Save Money

10 Secrets to Spoiling your Husband Free of Charge

How to Spoil Your Husband for Free

10 Secrets to Spoiling your Man for Free
Spoil your husband for free!

Do you want to spoil your husband with gifts? Are you on a budget? Then this post is for you!

Yes, ladies…I’m going to give you some great ways to make your husband or boyfriend feel like a king, that won’t cost you a thing!

My husband is the hardest person to shop for. My humble hubby never wants for a thing. When I ask him what he wants for any Holiday his response is always, “I don’t need anything”.

Not only is he one of the most generous, deserving people I know, he is also a great Daddy to our two boys.  He is the type of Dad that changes diapers, puts our two-year-old down for a nap and kisses us all good-bye on his way to work. Not to mention, taking the boys with him to Costco so I can have a break. He is a breath of fresh air in a money-hungry world, yet he never wants anything.

In light of his selfless behavior, coming up with gift ideas can become a brutal task.  However, if you have a man you want to honor, then let the list below be your guide.  I promise he will be touched by your thoughtfulness.

With Valentine’s Day close by, I thought a great gift post was relevant and helpful, but really ladies, these gifts can be used to make your man feel special any time of the year!

So let’s get right into it! I’ve listed ten free ways to keep your man feeling like he is and will always be, the love of your life!

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