February is home to many amazing deals that will lure you in and allow you to enjoy post-holiday shopping without worry. However, there are many things that you should probably avoid shopping for if you want to get the most out of your budget during this amazing month of sales. Luckily, as long as you know what to avoid you should be able get the most out of your shopping experience while holding out for the right time to buy the items on this list. So, hold tight, because these ten items should be avoided until later in the year to ensure you don’t wind up spending way more money than you have to.

1. Skip Valentine’s Day
You may think that shopping Valentine’s Day clearance is a must during this month, but you may be surprised by how much money you’ll save if you don’t. At the beginning of the month, Valentine’s Day items will be full price until the middle of the month when the holiday actually occurs. After that, items like chocolate and cards will hit the sales shelf, but they won’t be at a very high discount. Like most of these sales, you’ll have to wait a couple of weeks after the holiday to ensure the best possible deal, which will take you straight into the month of March. Jewelry, particularly Valentine’s Day themed jewelry won’t go on sale for some time after the holiday is over. You may even have to wait until the summer months to find the perfect sale for these items. Flowers, particularly from delivery services, will take a small discount, but most of these items can be used in other arrangements so the savings really won’t be worth all of the troubles.

2. Travel Plans
It’s almost the time of the year where soaking up some sun is your highest priority. However, that doesn’t mean you should be tempted into making Spring Break or summer travel plans during the month of February. With so many students shopping around for last minute deals, you’ll probably find it nearly impossible to find anything that will make your travels budget-friendly. Spring Break shopping should have been completed back in November or December, so you might be out of luck here. That is, unless you’re willing to be flexible with locations and dates. Summer is still on the plate though, but you may want to wait until March or April to begin looking for the right deals for your summer time getaway. By doing this, you should save quite a bit on all of your travel needs.

3. Perfume
Perfume is another classic Valentine’s Day gift for men and women alike, so it’s no surprise that it should probably be a no-go during this month’s shopping experience. Of course, there are more reasons than the upcoming holiday for this price hike though. February sees more new releases of perfumes and colognes, which means there’s usually very few discounts to be found, even on the older scents. However, this is the perfect time to shop around the new lines to see if there is anything that may strike your fancy. If a perfume isn’t a hit, then there’s a good chance it will be on the clearance rack faster than you think. If not, you will see these items on sale during the holiday months or when the particular scent is out of season.

4. Cameras
Wedding season is coming up in the Spring, as are many other photo opportunities, like the nicer weather and sunny vacations. Thus, buying a camera or any camera accessories may not be wise in the month of February. As income tax money begins to come in and people begin to splurge on tools like expensive cameras, you may find that the so-called deals seem even worse. The best thing you can do is keep an eye on clearance sales on your favorite camera websites, or simply wait until a better tech deal rolls around. You may be able to find something good before Black Friday comes around, but if you’re not in a hurry to buy a camera then hold out for the huge savings late in the year.

5. Theater Tickets
Movie nights are a cliché date for Valentine’s Day, which is why you probably won’t see many movie ticket deals during the month of February. Of course, this may not be too hard to overcome considering there’s not a lot of great releases coming out during this month anyway. However, even if there is something you want to watch you may want to hold off on the movie for a month or wait for it to hit the cheaper movie theaters in your area. You may not want to sit through movies during this month anyway considering they will mostly be overcrowded, which will mean you won’t get the full experience. Of course, soon, you’ll see cheaper days at some movie theaters and gift card packages at bulk stores, which will make your movie experience a whole lot cheaper.

6. Gym Memberships
With the buzz of New Year’s resolutions still in the air, you may find that getting a deal on a gym membership is harder than you think. Many gyms will actually be full from the surge of people who want to get in shape in the New Year as well as those who don’t like to work out in the cold weather. Thus, gyms aren’t exactly looking to draw in new people, which means deals will be scarce unless you get a nice salesperson who wants to make a great impression. The best thing you can do is wait for the resolution buzz to wear off and the weather to warm up a bit. At this point, people will start to drop out of the gym like crazy, so most fitness centers will be looking to draw in new people. Your best luck may be in the summer time, so try to check out online videos and other workout regimes in order to keep up with your fitness levels until you can find the best deal.

7. Fresh Produce
February is a hard time for grocery shopping, especially when it comes to shopping for produce. This month is right between the early Spring months and the late Winter months which means that produce can be a little scarce so prices will go up a bit. You may also find that there won’t be the best of quality of produce in the store, which will make the higher price feel even more unworthy of your hard-earned money. This year has brought lots of harsh weather conditions too, so don’t be surprised if items that are normally cheap are much higher in price, particularly those that come from California. If you can, shop frozen foods to make up for the difference in price. They won’t taste as great, but you’ll be able to save money while still getting the nutrients and ingredients you need for all of your favorite dishes.

8. Restaurants
Going out to eat this month may be another bad choice, particularly if you plan on going to pricier establishments. Since most places book up for Valentine’s Day, they also have the option to raise their prices, which means you won’t get the same value that you might at other times. Even some fast food restaurants will hike up the price of their food to meet the demand of people eating out more during this month. Apart from that, some establishments will have to raise prices because of the lack of produce and fresh ingredients due to poor weather conditions. Instead of eating out, place the money you would have spent in a restaurant in a jar. You may be surprised by how much you saved during the month.

9. Smart Phones
February has been buzzing with new technology release dates, including many smart phones that will make you want to spend your money on the spot. However, if you can, try to avoid shopping for a smart phones during this month. Not all of the phones have release dates in February, so you won’t be able to enjoy some of the sales on older phones in the brands that are releasing new phones. Even phones that are releasing new items may not host sales on their older models, particularly Samsung which had many issues with their older models. If you wait a few more months, you’ll be able to find many items on clearance and the newer phone models should take a price decrease when the Black Friday sales arrive. Not to mention, waiting some time will give you accurate reviews to consider, so you won’t choose a phone that is going to leave you disappointed.

10. Refrigerators
If you had plans to buy a refrigerator in the month of February, then you may want to put those dreams on hold for a month or two. The new Spring line of refrigerators will be showing up soon, which means with a little patience you will find amazing deals on older models that are just as amazing as the new one. Of course, your best bet is to shop around before you invest in a new refrigerator too. This can be one of the easiest items to overspend on and many people often have buyer’s remorse after buying a product. Make sure you measure properly before you choose the right match for your home. You should also look for Energy Star products to save even more money on the product once it is installed in your home. You should also check out reviews to ensure you’re getting an appliance that is going to last your family a long time without dealing with any problems. By avoiding shopping for this in the month of February, you can be prepared for when the sales begin, which will save you even more money.

Although February is a short month, it still has some of the best deals in many different areas. However, if you want to save a bit of cash and peace of mind, then you will try to avoid these ten items that may be on your shopping list. This should clear up plenty of budgeting room for the amazing sales though, so no matter which way you look at it your frugal shopping experiences will be right on point during the month of love.

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it, which leaves you to figure out how to work around another holiday on your tight budget. This holiday can be the perfect time to let your special someone know how you feel about them though, but that doesn’t mean you have to pour a lot of money into the holiday. There’s actually many different ways you can keep this holiday frugal while still giving your partner a gift that he deserves. From labors of love to simply spending time with each other, you’ll find that Valentine’s Day is a lot more than spending a fortune on a date and gifts. So, take a breather and check out these ten ideas that are sure to leave any man in your life feeling your love.

1. Massage
If there’s one way to a man’s heart, it is definitely a massage. This is especially true if he ends up doing manual labor often and has many tense spots, or if he ends up hunched over a desk most of the week. There are many ways for you to work out these muscles, so your partner can feel completely rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. You don’t have to settle with just doing a simple back massage though. There’s a wide range of sources online that can show you the areas to target during your massage, which will help with the tenseness and maybe even some of the pain he feels on a daily basis. Before you know it, your massages will be a legend in your household which will make Valentine’s Day gifts easier than ever from now on.

2. Coupon Book
Sometimes, the honey do list gets a little long or your partner just needs a special treat. This makes customized coupon books an absolute must for Valentine’s Day. You can fill your book with whatever you think will make your partner’s heart flutter, which could make this the most romantic gift of all. From spending alone time together whenever he wants to whipping up his favorite meal, you can make your coupon book his most prized possession. Make sure to add in special items that will let him know how well you know him. For instance, if you’re cutting down on red meat this year then toss in a free cheat day to help him get through the change. You may also want to add in nights with the guys or special days with the kids if your partner is a parent. No matter what you add in, it’s sure to bring a smile. Of course, if you’re running low on ideas or need a template then there’s plenty of ideas online to check out.

3. Homecooked Meal
Another quick way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So, if you know your guy’s favorite meal then make a plan to get it going on the special day. This will save on the two of you eating at a restaurant on such a busy day and will give you a more intimate experience that will allow you to rekindle the romance between you. Of course, you may want to spice up the meal a bit by adding his favorite side dishes and dessert, even if you wouldn’t normally cook them together. You may even consider making snacks that will help him stay full at work for the rest of the week. With a little effort in the kitchen, your partner is sure to feel your love for him.

4. New Subscription
Subscriptions are a big part of life these days, so you may want to consider ordering one for your special someone. This can be one of the pricier options when it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts though as it means paying every month. Of course, the price for these items usually won’t cost much at all. One subscription to consider is streaming services. You can grab a subscription to Netflix, Hulu and other services for not much at all, which will keep your special someone busy with movies and shows for hours. You may also want to consider adding a subscription channel like sports or anime to your cable service. There are also many subscription boxes to suit his needs. From geeky items to sports related boxes, you can find something for every taste that will be a month reminder of your love.

5. Brew Kit
If the man in your life loves beer, then a brew kit is the perfect way to show how you feel on Valentine’s Day. Brew kits are becoming increasingly popular in today’s market, so you probably won’t have to look any further than your favorite department store or online shopping site to find the right one. You can work off your partner’s skill level too. If he’s brewed beer before there are more advanced kits to help your partner make amazing beers that will wow guests. There’s also beginner’s kits that teach how to brew, with many different beer options. The best thing about this gift is it will actually save your household money in the long run because the price of kit doesn’t measure up to the amount you’d spend on just a few cases of beer. This could become a new hobby as well, which will ensure your partner always has something fun to keep him entertained.

6. Hobby Upgrades
If you’re looking for a cheap way to add to your partner’s happiness, then take his hobbies into consideration. You can easily whip up a gift basket that costs next to nothing using items from his hobby list. For instance, if he enjoys playing guitar then pick up some fresh strings, sheet music paper and pics to add to his collection. The same can be said for tools as you should be able to find some cheap accessories that add to the expensive devices he already has. This may mean picking up cleaning oils or sand paper refills, but every little bit is sure to help. You can dress these items up with homemade cookies, his favorite candies and other cheap items that will give the gift a romantic vibe.

7. Grooming Supplies
Nothing makes a man feel confident and attractive like the tools he needs to properly groom. Thus, you may want to get him a nice grooming set to show how much you care on Valentine’s Day. Grooming kits come in all shapes and sizes now, which makes finding the perfect one for your special someone a treat that he will be able to appreciate for some time. You can even get fancy by buying special moustache kits which will help with trimming as well as styling. If you really want to buy something useful then you may want to consider signing him up for a razor subscription service. This service will send a special razor to your partner every month, so he won’t have to worry about shopping for pricey razors again. This can really come in handy when it comes to your budget and will ensure your partner always has a fresh razor on hand.

8. Work Accessories
If there’s one thing that comes in handy, it’s definitely accessories that make work a lot easier. You may not think of this as one of the best gifts to get for your special someone, but when you see how appreciative he is when he opens his gift you’ll be glad you went in this direction. Work accessories can be anything from pen sets and planners to a heated jacket or a self-filtering water bottle. Of course, you can also keep things personal too by ordering a special mug, water bottle or picture frame with your family’s images on it. This will help bring the love from the house to your home, so your partner will feel pride in his family and his romance whenever others admire his cool gifts.

9. Day Off
We all need a day off from time to time, so you may want to add this to your gift list for Valentine’s Day. It doesn’t matter what your partner does, try to give him a day that he can all his own. Whether it’s playing hooky from work or giving him a free day on his day off, this is sure to make him feel amazing. First, let him off the hook when it comes to chores and hide the honey do list, so he can’t put up an argument over his “me” day. Then, let him choose exactly what he wants to do. May it be planning a trip with his family or having a day to go off and enjoy life on his own. You may even want to take away his phone to ensure he doesn’t try to work or answer emails while he’s enjoying his day. After having time to unwind and think, your partner is sure to feel amazing and will appreciate having the special time to get back in touch with himself.

10. Homemade Chocolates
It may seem impossible to skip the chocolates on Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean you have go out and spend a fortune on a box of chocolates for the man in your life. Instead, make your own chocolates to show just how much you love him. Fudge is one of the easiest things to make and you can customize it to suit your partner’s needs. For instance, you can mix in peanut butter, a variety of nuts, mint or even crushed cookies or candy bars. This can be boxed up and presented on the special day as a gift. Your partner is sure to feel impressed by this and will love the delicious candy more than anything that can be bought. Of course, you don’t have to just stick with fudge. There’s plenty of chocolate options to choose from, so do a little research and find the perfect recipe for your partner.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be complicated when it comes to finding your special someone a gift for cheap. These ten ideas can be customized to suit many different men’s tastes, which is sure to make shopping a whole lot easier and frugal. Before you know it, you won’t stress over spending money on Valentine’s Day gifts again because those given from the heart are sure to make your special someone happier than anything else.

The Chinese New Year is right around the corner. Starting January 28, everyone will be celebrating the year of the fire rooster, which is sure to bring on some joy and excitement during the long holiday celebration. However, if you’re not financially prepared for another holiday then you may be wondering how you can enjoy the Chinese New Year without spending a small fortune. There are many things you can do to enjoy the Chinese New Year though, without having to add even more debt to your holiday budget. With a little preparation and an open mind, this could be one of the best starts to the New Year yet, so you can make the year of the rooster the year of you too.

1. Make a Dedication to Education
The year of the rooster is all about gaining knowledge and improving yourself as an individual. So, instead of spending lots of money on fireworks and other decor you may want to sit down with the family and work on any educational goals you may have. Working on your own education doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money, if any at all. In fact, you can easily find college courses online that will ensure you can benefit in a wide field of knowledge. There are also many apps you can download to improve your cognitive functions or simply to teach you a foreign language. Don’t just make the year all about your own educational transformation though. Get the whole family on the bandwagon, so you can all find new passions in the education world and create great habits.

2. Embrace Feng Shui
It is always a good idea to add a fresh look to your home when the Chinese New Year rolls around. So, instead of rolling out the food or passing out red envelopes, you may want to spend your energy working on some feng shui in the home. This ancient method can actually help you feel healthier and happier throughout the new year without forcing you to spend a penny on the holiday. The best thing is, you can learn all about feng shui online without spending a single cent. There are even many books written on the subject that can help you figure out how to adjust your home. If you do want to seek advice on this method then you can look online for cheap advice or see if there is anyone in your community who offers these services. You shouldn’t have to spend too much on a simple quote and usually the method is so simple it will only take one home visit to help get your home flowing with the best energy.

3. Ditch Something Old
Like January 1, starting fresh is one of the best things you can do for yourself during the Chinese New Year. One of the best ways to do this is to get rid of all of the junk that you just don’t want or use anymore. You might want to start in your closet to get rid of clothing that doesn’t fit anymore or simply doesn’t suit your style. You may even want to go through the kids’ and get rid of the smaller sizes unless you plan on having more children. Most homes acquire a whole lot of junk over time too though. So, look through your storage units, garages and even on your shelves to see if you can find anything that doesn’t bring you joy any longer. These items can be donated or sold to start your year off a little more prosperous. With the extra space in your home you may find yourself breathing easier and feeling set to take on a whole new year.

4. Dine Out
Cooking a meal for the Chinese New Year can mean spending a lot of money, especially if you plan on feeding a lot of people. Instead of having a feast, ditch the guest list and take your family out on the town. This can be a refreshing way to start out the year as no one will have to cook or clean up the meal. It will also allow the family to relax, discuss the New Year and enjoy one another’s company without any extra pressures. A lot of restaurants, especially Chinese locations, will actually offer many discounts around this time of the year to ensure people can enjoy the holiday. So, you may look around and see who is having sales. If your city has a China Town then you may want to spend the day there and enjoy eating classic Chinese street foods and celebration favorites, like dumplings, at a low price. With the great savings happening all over the place, you’ll be happy you chose to skip all of the cooking.

5. Keep it Clean
Cleaning has been a tradition of the Chinese New Year for generations, so why let the tradition fade this year? This is one of the most frugal things you can do to celebrate the new year and it will leave you feeling incredible with the fresh new start. While cleaning, try not to go overboard on buying new supplies to make the house sparkle. Instead, try using what you already have on hand in order to keep the cleaning process down. If you’re running low on supplies or you want to change things up to make the cleaning more frugal for the New Year, then try natural products like vinegar and baking powder. You may be amazed by how clean your home feels after using these products. Of course, you should also turn off the heating or air conditioning and let in some natural air to help cleanse the air in the home.

6. Bring on Crafts
One simple way to take part in the holiday is to pull out the crafts. This is a great way to get young children involved in the holiday so that they can learn about the celebration as well as some of the traditions that go along with it. There’s many crafts that don’t cost a fortune to make too. You can easily find many online or come up with ideas of your own. You might even be able to find great deals on craft supplies for these projects during the time of celebration. One fun thing to help the children make is a dragon puppet, which can then be paraded through the home to traditional music. The kids will love both creating the craft as well as playing with it. You might even have older kids come up with masks and create their own shows based on some of the culture they have studied during the holiday. You can do a whole lot with just a few crafts, including decorate for your celebration without spending extra money.

7. Community Events
Instead of worrying about your own celebration, you might want to do a little research to see if there is a Chinese New Year celebration in your area. A lot of the time communities will host an event, even if it is something small. If there’s not one in your own town then you might want to consider heading to a city for the celebration. If there is a China Town located in the city then chances are you will be able to enjoy parades, firework shows and other amazing community events at no charge. Smaller communities that do celebrate the occasion may charge a small fee, but it will be worth it to have a bit of fun on the special day. Even if you do end up traveling for a while, spending time out with your family could be the best way to bring in luck as you begin your year of the rooster.

8. Watch Celebrations Online
Sometimes, there’s simply not an option when it comes to joining in on a celebration. However, if you want to be a part of the fun then you should look online to see if you can find some live streams of the celebrations around the world. This will allow the family to not only watch a proper Chinese New Year celebration, but will allow them to see how it is celebrated all over the world. You may even be able to watch back to back celebrations as you enjoy a meal with loved ones. These celebrations should be streamed on the internet at no cost, so you may want to look around for websites that will offer them. This shouldn’t take long to find though and will allow you to be all set up and ready to share some special moments with your loved ones.

9. Try a New Dish
If you’re on a tight budget then you don’t need to go all out when it comes to making food for the celebration. In fact, you may just want to start out small by making a new dish for the family to try out. There’s actually lots of foods to pick from when it comes to foods that are considered lucky, so you won’t have to work too hard to add to the celebration. Some of these foods are even incredibly easy to make. For instance, some variations of noodles are considered exceptionally lucky and will delight the whole family. Another great option is dumplings which can be made in bulk for very cheap. Other options include some fruits, which are nice, healthy desserts for the whole family. You might even consider a family recipe or asking a friend to offer a recipe to help improve your options.

10. Discover Your Zodiac Predictions
Of course, before the Chinese New Year begins you may want to check out how your own Chinese zodiac will do in the upcoming year. You can find a whole lot of predictions online that can help guide you to make decisions in the upcoming year. No matter what your zodiac is, you should be able to find ways to maximize your luck and avoid any confrontation that may come your way. This can also be a good time to learn more about your zodiac too, especially if you haven’t put any research into it. If you have children expected in the year of the rooster then it may be wise to look into this amazing zodiac to help your child lead the best possible life. Predictions and explanations can be found all over the place for free.

The year of the rooster is bound to be a great year, especially if you start it off by celebrating the Chinese New Year frugally. These ten tips will ensure you get the year off on the right foot without having to stress out about how much money you took from your budget just to celebrate. With all of the great changes headed your way, skipping the party may become your new favorite way to start fresh.

This season has bought a surprising amount of rain and snow to many areas of the country. Unfortunately, some of these areas weren’t able to deal with the influx of water, which has caused flooding in many areas. As Spring approaches, we may be dealing with even more storms that will leave us fighting back the water in order to keep our families safe and our property from being damaged. You may feel helpless when it comes to flooding, but there are many things you can do to help make the burden less. From protecting yourself before the flood waters hit to knowing how to ensure your home only gets minimal damage, these ten tips could save you a small fortune if flooding does occur in your region. So, don’t start stressing out yet, as there are a few frugal ways to keep your home and spending under control during this year’s floods.

1. Know Your Insurance
One of the main problems many people face during floods is not knowing what their insurance covers and what it doesn’t. Often, if you live in a region where flooding is common, you probably won’t have this on your policy because insurance companies don’t want to pay out for something that is likely to happen. Make sure you go over your policy and add flooding to it if at all possible. If not, you may want to look around for flooding insurance, at least to have during the wet seasons. This protection can also help with flooding accidents around the home too, so it may come in handy at some point or another. Many insurance companies will even add in an Act of God clause which could prevent you from getting the insurance you need in areas that never flood. Don’t let them fool you into signing up for something that isn’t going to do you any good. If you have to, work with a professional to mediate as you negotiate your insurance and always have someone explain things to you so you’ll be ready.

2. Clear the Gutters
No one really wants to clear the gutters, but when it comes to flooding this is your first line of defense. If you get word that there is going to be a storm in your area, especially if it may last more than a few hours, you should take some time to check out the gutters before it actually hits. If your gutters are full then this is going to cause all of the water to pour off of them and into your yard which could damage your foundation and flood the basement of your home. Even if you don’t have a basement to worry about, leaking gutters can cause water damage on your walls, which may cost a small fortune to fix. Another issue with blocked gutters is they allow snow to build up on your roof. As it melts, it won’t have anywhere to go, which means it will gather on the roof causing damage there or it can have the same effect as the leaking gutters during a rain storm. So, don’t hesitate, this could be the best way to save money on flooding damage.

3. Invest in a Sump Pump
Sometimes there’s nothing we can do to prevent water from getting into the basement. If the flooding is too extreme in the area then you may want to take all of the precautions you can, but also have a backup plan. This usually consists of a sump pump. These items can be rented, but if you feel like there’s no way you can rent one in your area then you won’t be too disappointed in the price. A sump pump will work hard to get the water that comes into your home out of the home. Of course, when it comes to this item, you should be careful what type of sump pump you buy. Electric pumps can be unreliable in a flood, so you might look for one that runs on more than one energy source or simply one that runs on gas. You’ll be happy you had this item in your storage, even if you don’t use it for a flood as it can help deal with flooding from burst pipes or broken water heaters too.

4. Install Gate Valves
One of the main issues with flooding is it can often cause problems with the sewer system. If you’re sticking it out at home, or you simply don’t want a lot of damage to clean up then this can cause you a lot of major problems. Sewers can back up right into your home, which isn’t just smelly but can cause damage on your floors that can take a whole lot of money to clean up. So, instead of worrying about this to happen you might want to install gate valves. These are pretty cheap to get and easy to install, which makes them a great investment even if you’re not worried about flooding. Of course, you can get a professional to install them too if you’re worried you won’t do it right.

5. Elevate Your Items
Your home isn’t the only thing you should be afraid of getting damaged during the floods. If you need to evacuate your home and you have appliances or expensive furniture, then you might want to take precautions before you leave. Simply elevate any electronics to a higher floor if you can. Items like washers and dryers can be elevated with cinder blocks to help them from being damaged if the flood waters do come in. You should make sure to turn off your electricity before you leave the home though and unplug the items to serve as an extra precaution. Furniture, rugs and other items should be moved to higher grounds too and placed in plastic if you have the ability to do so. If your furniture is too heavy to lift higher use cinder blocks to help prevent as much damage as possible. With any luck, water won’t rise too high in your home, if at all.

6. Switch off Utilities
Living without electric and water can be a huge burden, but if your area is flooding then it may be wise to cut off your utilities in order to remain as safe as possible. Sometimes, leaving the electric and water on can cause more damage than anything else. Electricity can be hazardous if left on and may even lead to a fire if you’re not careful. When things begin to get a little too much, find your breaker and shut off the power from there. You may also want to consider doing the same with gas and water. This can usually be done with a simple phone call. Keeping the gas running can lead to leaks in the house, which can cause even more harm to you than the flood water. You may also want to avoid your water too so it doesn’t become contaminated with flood water. If you do keep it on make sure to boil it before cooking or drinking it, just in case.

7. Ask For Assistance
A lot of people believe that they are all alone if they have to deal with flood damage, which isn’t exactly true. There’s a whole lot of federal programs that can help you get on your feet if you are suffering from too much damage from a flood. Programs like FEMA are designed to provide grants and help people get back on their feet when such a disaster occurs; however, you shouldn’t fully rely on these programs to help you out completely. Some may only be able to help you get off your feet in a new place, rather than repair your home. Of course, applying to many different forms of assistance won’t hurt either. You can look further assistance programs for flooding though. For instance, the Salvation Army is great with helping families in need get clothes, food and other necessities they need to survive.

8. Protect Your Car
Your car is another important item you will need to protect when the floods arrive. This can be easier said than done, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent major damage. First of all, you may want to consider parking it away from the home in a parking garage or with a family member who lives in an elevated area. If this isn’t an option then bring it into a garage if you can. Before you drive the car into the garage, place a car cover down and driver over it. Then place another car cover over the car. This will help prevent any water from getting inside the car and causing damage. You can also consider parking on a raft to help prevent water from getting into the engine. If the floods aren’t too bad and you can still drive, you should consider avoiding any roads that may be deeper than expected. This can cause you to end up stranded in your car, which could be a danger to you.

9. Create Emergency Stock
If you decide to stay put during a storm, especially when the streets are flooding, it is important that you have an emergency stock before it is too dangerous to get outside. This should include several gallons of water to keep your family hydrated and to allow you to cook. Often, the water supply becomes contaminated in a flood, so having clean water on hand is not optional. You might also want to have a water filter to help protect your family from contaminated water. You will also want to have plenty of food on hand. Some perishables will last you for a little while, but you should also have canned goods and long lasting foods to help keep your family full when there is no way to go out for food. A first aid kit, flash light, blankets, rafts and flares are also mandatory items that should be in every home when there is an emergency such as a flood.

10. Have a Plan
Finally, if you choose to stick out a flood or other storm you need to have a game plan. This will help protect your family from harm’s way if the going gets rough. You will want to have an escape route for every room of the home in case of a fire or if a wall gives way. Your family should practice this often, especially during the storm. You should also talk about what to do if food runs low or if there is an emergency that needs outside help. Try to get with neighbors too, so you can work together if a problem arises. Another thing to consider is your pets during this time as they will completely rely on you to keep them safe. With a lot of planning, you may find yourself feeling a little better about the situation.

Flooding can be a frightening experience especially if you’re trying to keep your family safe, sound and dry. These ten tips should help you find the best possible ways to prep for a flood, just in case you have to combat the waters this season. Luckily, these tips will help you save money and won’t force you to spend much to be ready to take on the storms.

Medical bills seem to be on everyone’s minds today. For some, the mounting debt is overwhelming and they can’t seem to find a way to deal with the ever-increasing charges. For others, the idea of having a medical emergency haunts them as they aren’t sure their insurance will do them any good. No matter what situation you’re in, there are some ways you can help cut down on the amount of medical bills you have. This may help save you thousands of dollars or at least cut back on the amount of worry you put into your health. With the Affordable Care Act potentially being dismantled and other programs losing funding, you may want to keep these concepts in mind, so you don’t end up owing your health service center a large fortune.

1. Know Your Insurance
One of the main problems people face in the medical world is their insurance company. Sure, the company sends out a pamphlet every year with your rights and your insurance plan, but these are often confusing and don’t really cover everything necessary. So, many people head to the doctor without a second thought or schedule a procedure then end up with a hefty bill. Before you do anything medical, you should always try to call up your insurance company and talk to them about your plan. They will be able to tell you how much they will cover, so you won’t end up with a surprise. You should also take the time to learn about providers in your area. Some insurance plans make deals with certain providers, which helps save you money. Knowing your deductible is important too, so you can adjust it when need be or make plans to have the out of pocket expenses in your savings account before the debt hits.

2. Shop Around
A lot of people don’t treat insurance or finding a doctor like a shopping trip, but this can be an important way for you to save a whole lot of money. Not all insurance companies are made equal, so check out reviews, policies and ask those you know how they feel about their insurance. Doctors are another must when it comes to saving money. Not all doctors charge the same, so you may find that you’ve enrolled with a doctor who offers poor quality service at high quality prices. Your insurance company should have a section that provides each doctor in your network with a review as well as a basic estimate of what they charge. Of course, you should always branch out and do some research on your own by asking other patients how they feel about the doctor and checking online review sites. When you find someone you like then stick with them as enrolling with a doctor can take quite some time if you live in a region that doesn’t have enough doctors.

3. Ask For Generic
One of the major purchases many people have to do deal with is medication. Although insurance often covers a decent portion of this medication, you might find yourself paying a small fortune for the rest, especially if your doctor prescribes name brand medication. With so many prices skyrocketing this year, you’ll want to be careful as to what is prescribed for you as there is often a ridiculous different between the generic and name brand product. Most doctors won’t ask before prescribing, so before you leave the office make sure you talk to your doctor about the switch. There shouldn’t be a problem with this request and if there is then you may want to consider switching doctors. Generic forms are often fully covered by insurance though, so you could find yourself saving thousands each year just by having a brief conversation with the doctor.

4. Consider Options
Sometimes, doctors will request that you do something you’re not entirely comfortable with or something that may be way too expensive for you even with the help of insurance. You do have every right to question these practices, so don’t feel like you have to do exactly as your doctor says. For instance, if you are having problems with anxiety then you may want to stop and try a natural remedy to deal with the problem. If this doesn’t work then you can always go with the doctors method later. This will take some research on your end though and you should always stay in communication with your physician, especially if the problem seems to be getting worse.

5. Create a Payment Plan
Medical bills can be unavoidable at times in our lives. Whether you give birth, are in an accident or are fighting off a critical illness, the price of your care can begin to add up. Luckily, many doctors and hospitals understand that you’re not made of money and that insurance companies aren’t exactly the most understanding people. Due to this, many facilities will work out payment plans with you, so you won’t have to stress about the huge lump sum up front. Make sure you talk with the financial department in your doctor’s office or the hospital to see what plans you can come up with for your budget. This should help you feel a bit more relief over the mounting debt and will help keep collection agencies from hounding you in your time of need or recovery.

6. Question Procedures
When it comes to your medical care, it is often hard to remember that you’re actually in control of the situation. Your doctor is only there to recommend something to help with your problem. If you’re not comfortable with this then you do have the right to refuse the practice, especially if you want time to research it or talk to your insurance company about it. This can range from small to large procedures too, but do exercise precautions when you do this as you don’t want to put yourself at risk for further problems due to money. These procedures can even be for medical tests like urine samples and drawing blood. If you feel it unnecessary or over excessive then skip the procedure. This is especially true if it seems like you are always having blood drawn for the same tests as the price does add up on these items.

7. Financial Assistance
Even if you already have insurance you may qualify for extra assistance if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to apply for it. Many states do offer supplemental options for those who may be facing crippling debt due to medical bills. There are many programs developed for the elderly, terminally ill and pregnant women, so do a bit of research to see if there’s anything that the government can do to lend a helping hand. Many of these programs are designed to help those with an income under a certain level, but if you feel like there me be a slight inkling that you may get help it would be wise to apply. The worst you can get is a rejection for your efforts. If supplemental help isn’t in your future then contacting your hospitals financial department might be wise too. Sometimes, they will offer debt forgiveness or will cut a portion of the debt down to help you. This can really take a huge burden off of your shoulders.

8. Consider Lifestyle Changes
Believe it or not, but a lot of the medical problems treated today are actually related to people’s lifestyle choices. One way to avoid all of the high costs of the medical field is to change the way you live to suit a healthier and happier lifestyle. Make sure you get in at least 30 minutes of walking a day to help keep your body moving properly. If you can, exercise on a regular basis too and try out new ways of keeping in shape. Cardio is a great way to get rid of colds and prevent them from happening in the first place. Soothing activities like yoga or Pilates can reduce stress and depression. So planning a well-rounded exercise regime is sure to help you cover all grounds. Your diet plays a key factor in what is going on with your body too. Make sure you keep your red meat consumption down and fill your plate with leafy greens and other colorful vegetables. Ditching soft drinks and junk food can also help you feel a million times better than ever before. Try ditching bad habits like smoking, vaping and drinking alcohol as well to improve your overall health. Apart from that, you may also consider vitamins and other supplements to improve health problems that have been previously diagnosed.

9. Review Bills
Bills can be pretty overwhelming, especially when you don’t work in the medical profession. The medical jargon is hard to understand and often the list of services gets to be a bit too much. That is why many people blindly accept the bills that they are given for the services they received. This can cause you to throw away a whole lot of money though. If you’re feeling a little queasy when you look at your medical bills, then don’t stress out about it. There is actually assistance you can get for reviewing your bill. You can contact your doctor’s office or hospital to allow them to explain each and every charge to you at no cost. Of course, there are also professional services that will do this for your too, but you may have to pay them. If you don’t agree with certain charges, then take the time to dispute them. Sometimes, they will remove the item from your bills without putting up any fight. You may even find a mistake on your bill, which is something you should always challenge as there is no sense paying for something you didn’t receive. All in all, taking this step every time you get a bill can help you save hundreds of dollars.

10. Tax Deduction
Getting around medical bills entirely may be impossible, especially if you have a lot of them mounting up. However, you can actually use the amount of money you pay into your medical bills as a tax deduction. When you pay a bill, make sure you get a receipt for the payment and keep it safe in your records. This will allow you to add up all of the money that you paid in throughout the year and will provide you with the proof that you did so. When tax season rolls around check out the amount you paid and see if it equals out to 10% of your income. If it does, then you may have some deductions coming your way. Of course, you probably won’t end up getting the full amount back, or even anywhere near it but every little bit will help when you’re working to pay off your bills.

Medical bills are a part of life, but they don’t have to absorb your life if you don’t want them to. These tips should help you cut back on the amount of money you have to spend on paying the bills, so you feel a bit more relaxed about the services you are receiving. With any luck, you’ll be able to save some money on the charges, so you don’t have to stress while working on getting your body and mind healthy.

One of the most common New Year’s Resolutions is actually cutting back on monthly spending. Although many people choose to target the items they splurge on, you may find that there’s a whole lot of money hiding in all of the bills that you pay each month. With a quick look at your budget, you may find that there’s a whole lot of changes you can make that will cut back enough money so you can save thousands each year. With the budget cuts working to boost your savings, you’ll ensure your lifestyle is a lot more frugal without even having to cut back on some of the luxuries that benefit your life. So, pull out your bills and get ready to leave your budget smiling as you skip out on some of the high costs.

1. Cable
If there’s one thing on your list that you simply don’t need to spend a fortune on it’s definitely cable. Cable companies really can hike up the prices to leave you spending hundreds of dollars each month on channels that you probably won’t even watch half of the time. They may even lure you in with a decent price at first and then hike up the price when the first year of service is over. There are alternatives to the cable scheme though. Luckily, today you can find all sorts of subscription services that won’t leave you spending your last penny on entertainment. Most subscription services range around $10 and offer original shows as well as those you may have found on your cable subscription. Hulu, for instance, has a deal with some TV channels that will allow you to catch shows 24 hours after they air. Netflix produces many original shows and movies and has been getting rights to Showtime shows merely months after the season completes. You can also look into subscriptions like Sling, which brings live TV to your favorite devices for a fraction of the price. Even the big name channels like HBO have come up with their own streaming service to allow people to catch up on their favorite series and movies. With all of these options, you can find a perfect match for you while saving a bundle.

2. Cellphone Contracts
Numerous people overspend on their cellphone service each month too. You may be surprised as to how much you can save by skipping the contract and going straight for a pay as you go plan. This allows you to have a bit more control over your cellphone, for starters. Some months, you can purchase a larger plan if you know you’re going to be on the phone more or if you will wind up browsing the net when you’re on the go. If you don’t plan on keeping up with the phone then downgrade the plan. Best of all, you can also allow family members to have different plans, which will help keep kids off the phone when they shouldn’t be. Sure, you will have to buy your own phone to do this, but you might find there are so many options to choose from that it will be an added bonus to your new found freedom. You can even buy phones that have advertisements on them now, which cost a significant amount less than an average phone with all of the same perks.

3. High Energy Plans
Many regions are trying to offer eco-friendly options when it comes to power use now, so you may be in for a real surprise when you look at your energy plan. Before you renew with your energy company look to see what types of plans they offer. If you are trying to cut back on your electricity consumption, then you can always sign up for a plan that allots you less energy for less money. Sometimes, you can even find plans that will allow you to use wind or solar power opposed to those that create more pollution. If you’re not sure where to begin when choosing an energy plan, then talk to the companies or look up their information so you can make an informative choice. You may even be able to write off some of your energy bill if you use a greener plan. Of course, you may also want to invest in your own solar panels which will substantially cut back on your energy bill to the point that you may even receive a refund.

4. Ditch the Gym
Many people join the gym in order to get a head start on their New Year’s Resolution. However, what they don’t realize is how much of a burden the membership can be on the monthly budget. This is especially true if you don’t always have the chance to get to the gym. With all of the days missed you may find that you truly aren’t getting your money’s worth. There are many cheaper options available though. For instance, you can simply take up walking, jogging or running to get in shape. You can also invest in a home gym for around the same price as your membership. This will allow you to workout whenever your heart desires and you’ll easily get your money’s worth out of the machine before the year’s end. If you want the gym membership for the classes, then check online for freebies. You may be surprised by how many you find.

5. Stop Water Subscription
Many people will spend a whole lot of money to have clean bottled water delivered to their home on a regular basis. These subscriptions might be convenient, but they will also cost you a whole lot more than they should. The alternative is much cheaper though. You can easily fill up your own 5 gallon jugs for a dollar a piece, which is a mere fraction for the amount you would have to pay for the subscription bottles. You may be surprised as to how easy it is to deal with water too. There’s plenty of local water stations in most areas as well as companies that offer their many filters for your use. Apart from that, you can invest in home filters and pitchers to ensure you have the best water in town.

6. Credit Cards
When it comes to handing over money each month, especially after the holiday season, credit cards can be one of the worst culprits. With high spending limits and interest costs, you may find yourself dreading looking at what your payment or even your payoff amount is. There are ways to get around this though if you’re willing to do some shopping around for a new credit card company. Some companies will offer you the ability to swap your debt to their card at no transfer price. This is a great way to get your debt in one area so you only have to work on one payment a month. Not to mention, if you can find a card with a better interest rate then this will work out in your favor too. If you can’t find a card willing to transfer your debt then simply look for one with better interest. As your credit score grows this shouldn’t be an issue as most companies will try to find you. With the better interest in your pocket you can pay off your other cards and use only the one that won’t have you spending a whole lot of extra money.

7. Travel
For many, buying gasoline is one of the priciest expenditures on the monthly budget, which can be a real problem as the price of gas tends to fluctuate throughout the year. One way to remedy this problem is to take your car out less than you normally would. If you can, set up a carpool to take the kids to and from school and do the same if you need to commute to work. This will shave off a good portion of the gas you use and will help the environment and your community out. Apart from carpools, you may also want to consider public transit. This great alternative will get you out in the community while helping your city and your environment. There is also the option of walking or cycling around town, which will improve your health. The more options you consider when it comes to getting around town, the more likely you are to save money. This doesn’t just mean on gas though. Using your car less can help your health, allow you to apply for more tax deductions and may even cut your car insurance payment down.

8. No Takeout
It may be hard, but cutting out your monthly takeout bill will put a whole lot of money in your pocket. You may be surprised by how much as well since it doesn’t seem like we’re spending too much when we order out or pick up coffee. For many, takeout is a staple that they use to get through lunch every day. This doesn’t just mean grabbing a bite to eat at a restaurant or fast food chain, but also picking up prepackaged salads, sandwiches and other meals at local stores. By making your lunch at home you’ll be able to use healthier options and spend a whole lot less on the food you buy. The same can be said for dinner. If you feel like you don’t have time to cook, then consider whipping up premade meals on your days off or utilizing the crock pot. It won’t take long to get into the habit of doing this and the savings will leave you feeling amazing.

9. Skip Subscriptions
Subscriptions have become a big part of our lives as they have expanded from simple newspapers to boxes of goodies that surprise us each month. One way to ditch some of the extra spending each month is to also get rid of the subscriptions. Most newspapers and magazines can be purchased online, which not only cuts down on the price you pay for them, but also helps alleviate the clutter in your home and how much you need to recycle each week. Apart from these items, if you’re subscribed to gaming, book, pop culture or other subscription boxes then you may be forking over a lot of money for items you probably don’t even want. Instead, take a fraction of the money and put it back to splurge on an item you may actually want to own. This will cut back on the junk in your home and allow you to feel like you’re making positive changes in your life. Another subscription you may want to ditch this year is food subscriptions. You can easily look up the recipes for your food boxes and buy the food locally. This will cut back on the price and will help out local farmers.

10. Adjust Taxes
Recently, the IRS announced that people should start adjusting their taxes at work if they didn’t want to wait a while for their tax refund. This can be a quick and easy step to putting more money in your own pocket each year too. Many people are actually overpaying the government for their taxes, which is why they get a hefty sum at the end of the year. Talk to your employer to see how your taxes are being paid and what steps you need to take to ensure you’re paying enough without overpaying.

Monthly bills are never any fun to process, but with these simple steps you should be well on your way to putting money back in no time. After you reduce the amount you spend on these ten items, you’ll be amazed by how much money you actually have to play around with in the New Year.

With 2017 finally here, you’re probably well on your way to making your money saving goals a reality. However, working on this resolution can be a bit of a challenge if you’re not sure where to begin. There’s lots of great tips and tricks to follow out there, but sometimes you have to spend a little money to save a little money too. For instance, these ten items can fast track some of your money saving goals, so you’ll be well on your way to making your nest egg even larger. Better yet, most of the items won’t set you back too far, so you won’t have to feel guilty about spending the money on them. In fact, they should pay for themselves and then someone before the year is over.

1. Crockpot
If you don’t already have a crockpot in your life, then now is the time to head out and get one. With after holiday sales going on, you should be able to find a large crockpot for under $50. Of course, you can also customize it to suit your kitchen size as well as your cooking needs. A crockpot is great for large families or even a student living in their first dorm, so don’t hesitate to wonder if it can work for your needs. The great thing about crockpots is they work to stretch your food further. You can make soups, stews, casseroles and a wide variety of filling and delicious foods in one of these bad boys. They’re also perfect for cheap cuts of meat that would otherwise be too difficult to eat when baked or fried. There’s a ton of frugal recipes online to help guide you as well. You may find that shopping for crock pot meals allows you to buy in bulk, which is certainly a money saver and may even prevent you from having to grocery shop as often. The crockpot will also decrease the amount you have to spend on electric and gas, because it uses very little power to get the job done. Last but not least, having a crock pot means you’ll be less tempted to order in. You can toss in the food at the beginning of the day and forget all about it until you’re home from work and it’s time to sit down and eat.

2. Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Let’s face it, it’s hard to get the family to cooperate when it comes to turning off lights when they’re not using them. At any given time, you’ll probably find you could turn off half of the house without anyone even noticing. This can be a huge problem for your energy bill and the environment. Luckily, energy efficient bulbs are a great way to take away the burden of a household that loves to keep the house lit. These bulbs take up very little energy at all and are designed to last for years, so you won’t have to worry about replacing them. With just a small investment on your end, you can forget about lightbulbs on your shopping list for some time and you’ll quickly notice a fast change in your energy bill.

3. Food Saver
Buying foods in bulk can be bitter sweet sometimes. On the plus side, you save a whole lot of money on food that will last your family for a while. On the down side, you often end up with freezer burned meat, vegetables and convenience meals. With a food saver, you can skip out on this portion of your shopping experience though. This handy device will vacuum seal and secure every item you seal, so you’ll have great quality food every time you cook. With your food stored properly, you won’t have to stress about items going bad, which means you can stock up when you run into good deals. There’s more than one kind of food saver though. You can also buy items that actually pull gases out the refrigerator, which will help your produce stay fresher for longer. There’s also lots of products designed to help you store produce that has already been cut. This gives you a couple of extra days to get back to the produce before it goes bad.

4. Coffee Maker and Accessories
One of the biggest costs for many households is buying coffee outside of the home. With this expense costing around $3-5 a person every day, you can certainly save a small fortune just by cutting out this expense. One way to do this is to grab a coffee machine that is going to make it worthwhile to pick up your coffee at home. Sometimes, regular pot coffee makers aren’t the key to help the family break this bad habit, so you may want to consider investing in an espresso maker, French press or high quality machine that will make your coffee taste as good as it does from the café. Apart from the coffee machine, you’ll need a few accessories to make this all worthwhile. For instance, if your machine doesn’t come with a frother, then you may want one of these. There’s also a wide variety of coffee flavoring that can help you enjoy your coffee more. You’ll also want reusable travel cups or mugs to make everything even more convenient.

5. Reusable Grocery Bags
Many states are moving towards a more eco-friendly outlook this year, which may mean you’ll have to spend a little more at the grocery store if you like to carry your groceries home in bags. With plastic bag taxes,charges and bans, you might find it a whole lot easier just to invest in your own reusable grocery bags. These special totes tend to cost very little and will allow you to put a little bit of money back into bank account. These bags can be used for other items too, so you may find that they come in handy in more ways than one. If you really want to invest then you can even buy grocery bags that help keep your items stay hot or cold, which is perfect for those who love to shop from one grocery store to the next.

6. Battery Charger
Most households go through a lot of batteries every year. This is especially the case if you have children or a gamer in the house. Buying batteries constantly can be really expensive though and isn’t exactly the best for the environment. Thus, you may want to consider buying a battery recharger to ensure your household budget doesn’t go under. Most battery rechargers come with its own set of batteries, so you’ll be ready to go whenever you open the package. Some will even charge a variety of different batteries, so you’ll be ready to supply the household with the sizes they need. You may want to invest in extra rechargeable batteries to ensure you won’t go empty handed for a little while, but other than that your household should be set for all of the games, tools and entertainment they can come up with.

7. Smart Surge Protectors
If you have surge protectors in the home already, then you’re already doing good. A basic surge protector can help you cut back on electricity as well as protect your electronics from surges in your power. Of course, there is a better option nowadays. Smart surge protectors will ensure your items don’t fall prey to a surge in power, but they will also reduce the power that is drawn from your electronics. This is especially great when it comes to televisions, game consoles, computers and other electronics. When these items are off, the smart surge protector will prevent it from pulling power from the outlet, which can save you a small fortune. The smart surge protectors also draw less power because most are Energy Star certified. With these in your home, you’ll find your power bills a whole lot easier to handle.

8. Reusable Water Bottle
Keeping hydrated is one of the most important things you can do for your body. However, if you’re out and about all day long then chances are you will end up buying water from a store to quench your thirst. Plastic water bottles are one of the most pollution forming items on the planet these days, which means we need to cut back on how often we use them. Apart from that, it can really tap into your budget when you buy drinks like this frequently. Instead, you may consider buying yourself a reusable bottle to help keep you hydrated. If you’re working on drinking more water in the New Year then a gallon jug could help find the perfect balance in your life. Of course, if you’re not away from the home often then a small and portable bottle should do the drink. You may even consider buying a bottle with a filter in it, so you can have fresh water whenever you want. Buying a bottle for the kids can even be helpful, so they have plenty to drink when they’re at school.

9. External Memory
If you spend a lot of time on your computer, or you simply store all of your valuables on one then you may want to consider buying external memory. This device can be plugged into any computer so you can transfer your music, movies, photographs and other material from one computer to the next. This is a great way to prevent loss of the important items you hold near and dear. Not to mention, you won’t have to pay a monthly fee to host your items like you would with online memory services. The external memory is often large enough to hold games, operation software and other programs too, which is great if you ever experience a hard drive malfunction. This will help you replace your hard drive for cheaper as you won’t have to buy an operating system with it.

10. Streaming Subscription
Cable isn’t exactly seen in the glorious light that it was years ago. In fact, many people are ditching their cable service and using streaming services instead. These services only cost a fraction of the price of cable, even if you choose to subscribe to more than one of them. You can choose which subscription you want to go with based on shows they are streaming each month, which will help you get more out of your service. The best thing is you don’t have to commit to any of these services like you do with cable. This means there will be no cancellation fees, nor will you have to worry about the price skyrocketing with very little notice. You may be surprised as to how much fun you can have with a streaming subscription and how much you can save by using one or more instead of dealing with a cable service.

Being frugal this year doesn’t have to bring on headaches. With these ten items, you’ll find simple ways to save lots of money with only a little bit of an investment. Without a doubt, 2017 is sure to be your ticket to a frugal lifestyle and a larger savings account thanks to the help of these ten items.

Most students are heading back to their dorm rooms to begin a new semester. However, they may be in for an unpleasant surprise if they live in a cold region. Many dorm rooms are notorious for being ridiculously cold, which will probably feel a lot worse to students returning back to the dorms from their warm and cozy homes. It may be hard to find a way to keep warm in the dorm too, which will only increase the urge to spend money on items to help out, or entertainment to keep you away from your room. With space heaters being illegal in most dorm rooms, you may find that these simple solutions are your best and cheapest bet to staying warm until spring makes its way to your college. So, bundle up and check out these ten tips for making your dim a little bit warmer during the brutal winter.

1. Hot Water Bottle
For generations, families have used the notorious hot water bottle to get through the long winter months as well as some ailments. If you missed out on this little gem in your childhood, you may recall seeing one at your grandparents’ house and wondering what the contraption was. Basically, this nifty device can be filled with hot water and used to heat up your body and your bed. Simply take it to your bathroom and fill it with the hottest water you can, then stick it at the foot of your bed and within a couple of minutes you’ll be ready to snuggle into a cozy environment. You can also use this items on your stomach or back to help with cramping and to keep your body warmer. You may even consider buying a mini water bottle to stick in the pocket of a hoodie to help keep your body warm as you navigate campus. The best news is the water bottles are incredibly cheap and don’t take any electricity, so your dorm can’t complain. You can even customize them with cute little sweaters and crocheted designs if you’re into that kind of thing.

2. Swap Bedding
Another simple action you can take to stay a little warmer is to swap out bedding. Your cotton sheets aren’t going to do you any favors with the freezing cold pouring straight into your dorm room. Instead, you may want to invest in a nice pair of flannel sheets. These will help use your body heat to help you stay a whole lot warmer during the winter nights. You should also buy a thicker comforter or combine more than one to ensure you stay warm enough during the night. If you don’t have comforters, then compile lots of blankets to bring on the warmth. Now is a great time to stock up on blankets too, as all of the winter themed blankets will be on clearance. This should help you get through the night, but isn’t recommended for studying as it may cause you to doze off.

3. Look For Drafts
One huge problem with many dorm rooms is they are incredibly old. This often means there’s so many drafty areas that it’s hard to keep track of them. This causes a whole lot of your warm air to disappear while making your room feel like it may as well be outdoors. One of the best ways to try to lock in heat in the room is to try to seek out these drafts. You can usually feel around the room for areas that seem to be colder or even those who have excess air coming from the exterior of the room. When you find these areas try to notify your dorm so they can plug them up or use weather stripping. If they refuse to do this then you may have to take measures into your own hands. You don’t want to weather strip or add caulking in your room as this will certainly leave you with a fine when you move out, but you can block the holes with blankets or old clothes. If you’re not sure where the drafts are coming from then invest in drapes or hang a thick blanket over the window. This should slightly help. You may even consider plugging your door frame with a towel when you go to bed, just in case the cold is coming from the hallway.

4. Heated Blanket
Heated blankets are a whole lot safer than what they used to be, so you might want to consider investing in one if you can’t get to sleep in your dorm. As long as you follow the safety instructions, you should be well on your way to a good night’s rest without having to worry about a fire. Of course, you should also give your blanket plenty of time to cool down and should never leave it plugged in when you leave the dorm for any period of time. You may also want to check to make sure they are legal in your dormitory too, as getting caught with one could leave you with a huge fine that won’t make your winter blues feel any better. With a little care and precautions though, this could be one of the best ways for you to warm up while studying or sleeping.

5. Bring on the Layers
Although you may not love doing laundry, you may want to consider making a bit more laundry during the winter months, just so you don’t end up feeling as uncomfortable. Piling on the layers is your key to keeping your body comfortable when you’re in your room as well as when you’re out and about on campus. You may want to make sure you have thermal underwear as this can be one of the best defenses against the cold, especially when you go to bed. Another option is to layer your socks and wear a beanie, even when you’re inside. Try packing on a few shirts and adding a hoodie to the top to keep your body heat locked in too. You may look like you gained more weight than you actually did during the winter holiday, but you’ll be pretty warm.

6. Electric Kettle
An electric kettle can be a life saver for college students no matter the season. However, in the winter time it can be an essential item that every dorm room should have on hand. With an electric kettle, you can have boiling hot water in just a minute or two, which is perfect for keeping hot water bottles filled up without having to journey back and forth from the bathroom. This device is also great for making warm beverages and soup. With the touch of a button, you can heat up your body with tea, hot chocolate or even some instant coffee. If you’re feeling hungry then ramen or a can of soup will be seconds away. With the warm liquid in your body you should be feeling better in no time, plus the warm mug or bowl will also help keep your body temperature feeling cozy as you hold it.

7. Move Furniture
Some dorms make it impossible to redecorate the room, but if you have the ability to move around your furniture you should do so to suit the winter months. Most dorms automatically position bedding in front of the window, which means you’re probably going to be in the coldest area of the room. If you can, move the bed to the other side of the room or as far away from the window as possible. If you have a radiator in your room then you may consider moving the bed a little closer while you sleep, but not so close that your bedding will touch the radiator as you sleep. Another thing to consider is moving furniture away from the vents. Often beds, dressers or desks are positioned over the vent, which makes most of your heat dissipate before it can make a difference in your room. Of course, if you have a roommate make sure all of the changes are okay with them first. Keep fire safety rules in mind as well as you rearrange to get through the cold months.

8. Candles
Since electric space heaters are mostly a no in dorms, you may have to make due with some of the more old fashioned ways of staying warm. One way to do this is to light candles. You can invest in cheap candles on holiday clearance or even buy a large set of tea lights at a price that is next to nothing. Keep the candles close to you while you’re working to ensure the heat from them warms you up. You may not be able to heat up a room entirely this way, but every little bit helps. One way to help the heat radiate though is to place a clay pot over the flame. This DIY heater is pretty popular on tutorial sites and is said to have helped many stay warmer. Of course, always practice safety first when using candles and never leave them going when you’re not in the room.

9. Alter Fan
A lot of college students don’t know how powerful a fan can be in the winter time. Mostly, fans are seen as a way of cooling off when the weather is warm, but there’s quite a bit more to them than that. Most fans actually have a button that will turn the direction in which the fan turns. This easy transformation allows the fan to push around the hot air in the room, thus allowing it to heat the room faster and keep it warmer for longer. If you have a ceiling fan in your room then you’re already doing good as most of these fans have the option. You can also look on other fans to see if there is a special switch to help you move what little warm air you have in the room around. A fan with this function shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg either, so investing in one may be wise.

10. Talk to the Residency Office
Although it may be frustrating, nerve racking or the bane of your existence, heading to your residency office may be the way to get you on the fast track to heat in your room. If the room is incredibly unbearable then make sure you put in a claim with the office as soon as you can. During this time of the year, they are bound to get a lot of claims, so make sure yours is in the stack the moment you notice there’s an issue. If this doesn’t seem to get you anywhere then keep showing up in person and complaining might. The dorm has to keep the area a certain temperature legally, so don’t let them infringe on your rights or the comfort you pay for. The residency office may be able to offer you some pointers as well, or provide you with freebies to help ease the pain of the cold before they can fix your room. Make sure to document all of your claims though, as this will ensure you have proof if you need to take further action.

Dealing with the cold in a dorm room can make you and your studies suffer, so try to follow some of these pointers so you can enjoy your college experience a bit more. With any luck, you’ll be able to heat up your room and feel more comfortable without having to go to extremes or break your budget.

If you still have a bit of the shopping bug leftover for the holiday season, then January is probably one of the best times to get out and find some great deals. Everything from holiday décor to TVs will be displayed at a remarkable price that you’ll have to see to believe. However, there are a few items you should probably avoid if you plan on shopping in the month of January. These items are often sold at an average or even above average price, which won’t do your recovering budget any favors. Don’t stress if you do need these items though because in the next couple of months you’ll be able to find them all at an exciting price too.

1. Mattresses
With the holidays out of the way, you may find yourself feeling worn out and ready to catch up on sleep. However, if your mattress isn’t exactly cooperating then you may find it especially hard to find a good deal on a new mattress during the month of January. Generally, most furniture and mattress stores tend to lock up the deals after their holiday sales in hopes of building up interest during their Presidents’ Day or Martin Luther King Jr. Day sales. So, you may not want to go shopping for a replacement during this time. If your bed is really keeping you up at night, you may want to consider a cheap, temporary solution like mattress pads or adding a couple of blankets under your sleep area. This should help you avoid to the average to high prices until you catch one of the unbelievable sales.

2. Jewelry
The holidays weren’t exactly the best time of the year to buy jewelry and the month of January doesn’t really change this trend much. Sure, you may be able to find a few discounts on the holiday items, but if you hold out even longer then you can probably get these items on clearance in the upcoming months. Not to mention, Valentine’s Day is rapidly on its way, which means most jewelry stores are getting an influx of items that they won’t want to sell at a low price. Holding out until after the major holiday is over should allow you to find some great deals that will leave you celebrating your patience. This is especially true when it comes to romance themed items that you may want to treat yourself or someone special to.

3. Spring Lines
When it comes to fashion, you might as well steer clear of getting ahead of the trends this month. Although spring fashion has already made its debut into our lives, you should probably stay away from it until much later in the year. Spring lines will still be at an above average cost, which will mean you’ll be able to spend less and less on your wardrobe if you want to be the trendiest person around. Instead, you may want to concentrate on winter looks that you can use for the rest of this season as well as next year. There will be many sales on these items to ensure you can get the look you want without having to worry about going overboard on spending. You may even be able to incorporate some of these looks into your own spring fashion attire.

4. Football Memorabilia
January means playoffs and the Super Bowl are finally upon us, which might bring on the temptation to grab some items to show off your favorite team. This can be a huge mistake, especially if your team is doing well this season. Usually, the items won’t go on sale until after the Super Bowl is over, but if your team makes it through to the final round or even wins the Super Bowl then you could look at spending more for several months after the big game. If you really need new gear to support your team, then you might want to consider shopping at thrift stores. Many will actually pull the football themed clothes out for display during the football season, so you probably won’t have to look through everything to find what you need. You could also create your own clothing to celebrate the success of your team. Don’t worry if you can’t find any items though, as clearance attire and collectibles will soon be on their way for you to indulge in.

5. Stocks
If you’re an investor, then you probably know there are certain times to buy and certain times to sell or sit back and hold your horses. The month of January is when all of the business from the holidays begins to affect the stocks you may be interested in buying. This means, you’ll have to put in even more money to grab one stock from the company you’ve had your eye on. This can be great if the stock continues to grow, but most fluctuate throughout the year. Instead of buying right now, wait until your stock begins to drop a little. If it’s a company you truly believe in then invest when the price dips. This will give you more for your money and will hopefully allow you to sell them for more money than you bought them for later on.

6. Luggage
January is one of the best times to grab hot deals on airline tickets, cruise packages and just about anything you can possibly need to travel on a budget. However, luggage isn’t included in the savings here. If you’re in dire need of new luggage, then try to hold out until January is over because you won’t find any deals worth your hard earned money. With all of the travel deals on the table, companies hope to make more money off of travelers who want to get out of the cold with fancy new luggage. Luggage that comes in a set will be especially pricey if you’re not careful, so try to avoid the travel store altogether. This is also because new fashions are coming out to entice spring and summer travelers. Thus, if you want to travel, you may find that waiting until closer to summer or even just until February will help you find better prices.

7. Winter Sports Supplies
If you plan on hitting the slopes this season or trying out some new winter sports, then you may want to consider holding out on shopping for your own winter sports supplies. With winter in full swing, all of these items are in high demand, which means you’re going to have to pay full price for the items you want. Even items from last season won’t be at the best possible price, so try to wait until the weather warms up so you can snag the items at a great discount. Renting the items might be a simple and cheaper solution if you are just trying them out, but you can also see if you can borrow from friends and family. By the time March or April rolls around, you should be able to buy all of the winter sports equipment you desire at a price that won’t leave you stunned and frightened. Of course, you should always remember proper storage techniques since you may not get a chance to use your new gear until next winter.

8. Heating Units
The cold weather is pushing its way into many areas, despite the prediction of a warmer winter. This could leave you shivering and unprepared to deal with such a drop in the temperature. If your heating is on the fritz, then you may be in even more of a bind. A heating unit or even parts to repair your current heating unit could cost you a small fortune. Try to hold out if you can because the prices will drop in just a few weeks when spring begins. However, if you can’t wait then try for refurbished or used parts just to get you through the cold months. You may also want to try out some heating alternatives that will cut the costs of your heating expenses while keeping your home a little more comfortable.

9. Calendars
With the New Year just starting out, you may want to grab a new calendar to go along with it. This seems like a pretty basic idea, but you may find yourself paying more for the item than you’d expect. This can be really bad if you want a more expensive calendar for all of your notes and schedules. Even if you want to be an early bird and shop a bit early for your 2017 calendar, you will probably be less than impressed with the price tag. Instead of shopping now, you might as well wait until February when the prices will drop. Until then, use the 2017 section on last year’s calendar or keep your notes in your phone. Custom calendars will also cost you an arm and a leg during this time of the year due to many people wanting to add their own pictures to a personalized calendar. So, be patient and you’re sure to get lots of options and deals if you can make it through January without showing off a 2017 calendar.

10. Snow Supplies
Unfortunately, if you’re preparing for a big snow storm and find yourself without some of the crucial items, you could wind up paying a small fortune during the month of January. This time is known for snow storms in many areas, so stocking up on supplies before the bad weather arrives is always wise. If you can, try to improvise with items from home to ensure you won’t end up spending too much of your budget on supplies. Cat litter, salt and sand that may be lying around the house can do a world of good if you’re in a pinch. You may even consider using a regular shovel if you don’t have a snow shovel on hand. There’s lots of great ideas to help make your snow maintenance possible online, so if you find yourself without some of the gear to keep up with your snow problems, then you may not be in as much trouble as you think.

January is a month that is perfect for getting in the shopping you missed out on during the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you should go into it blindly. These ten items should be avoided if at all possible if you’re interested in keeping your budget in check. With a little luck, you’ll be able to get more for your money thanks to your patience, so sit tight and keep an eye on price tags.