Top 10 Ways to Redecorate A Room Spending Next to Nothing
Welcome back!
During this economic crisis many are learning that their home really is their castle. People are spending more time at home due to the economic issues. People are once again returning to those dining rooms and living rooms that were neglected by eating out and going out for entertainment.
Spending more time at home, sometimes gives people the “itch” to redecorate. Well, in these difficult times, it is not feasible to go on a spending spree to redo a room in your house. However, there are ways to spruce up a room and still spend very little. If you must buy items to redo your room, try the thrift store, garage sales and Ikea. So without further ado, here are my top ten ways for redoing a room on a tight budget:
A Can of Paint
This is my favorite way to redo a room. I love changing the color in a room. When you paint a room it becomes your special space. It’s like leaving a mark saying that you were here. Paint does not have to be expensive. I usually look in the returns section of the paint store. You can get really nice colors at a fraction of what you would normally pay. The best thing about paint is, if you don’t like it, paint it another color!
A New Rug
Carpeting a whole room is really pricey. If you have horribly stained carpet and you cannot afford to replace it, try buying an area rug. Area rugs do not have to be pricey. Most retailers like Target and Walmart sell them. You do not need an area rug that costs thousands of dollars. You can also check on line for a rug as well. I would also suggest your local thrift store. In many cases the cost of the rug and a shampoo is cheaper than buying one new. Believe it or not, an area rug can change the whole feel of a room.
Re-arrange Your Furniture
I know this sounds silly, but it can totally change your room. I constantly try this trick. It drives my husband crazy, but it allows me to show off the room and furniture in different ways. I can breath some life into an old boring room. Just be careful when moving furniture around to not hurt yourself. Also, if you have wood floors make sure not to drag furniture, as to not scratch the floor.
Switch Out Art Work
This is a great trick to give an old piece a new life. If you are redoing your room and there is a print that is hanging in another room, try hanging it in your new room. You can bring in new colors and patterns through artwork. If you don’t have any artwork, try and create something yourself. I know this might intimidate some, but give it a try, you might surprise yourself. If you are not artistically inclined, but you have children, try hanging some of their artwork.
Accessories
This is the easiest part of changing a room. Again, take things from other parts of the house. Picture frames are usually interchangeable. Use a large bowl as a centerpiece on your coffee table, or a breakfast tray. Glass items such as a vase can also bring new color into a room. The thrift store is a great place to shop for accessories. I never buy them new at any stores, they’re too expensive. I would also suggest garage sales.
Change Photos in Picture Frames
I always try to rotate pictures in the photo frames that I have. This is great way to update the look of your room. Wedding pictures, family photos or pictures of friends are great to swap out. Choose different pictures of loved ones and events to showcase.
The Infamous Couch Cover
I am the victim of dated furniture. My husband and I have handed down furniture. It is not the prettiest but, it is comfortable and clean. However, neither of my couches match. A quick way to fix ugly, dated, and dirty furniture is a couch cover. These can be pricey so look for a deal. You can also have your furniture re-fabriced. As always, when it comes to doing these things, they can be pricey, so shop for a deal. Keep in mind it should be much cheaper than replacing the furniture you have.
Throw Pillows
Throw Pillows are a wonderful to update a room. They can be easy to sew if you do not want to buy them. I do not own a sewing machine and am inept at sewing but, I managed to sew some very nice pillows that lasted forever. If the whole sewing thing is not for you, they can be purchased very cheaply. I would recommend Walmart or Ikea. I recently bout 4 pillows at Ikea for under $10. They’re soft and comfortable.
A New Bedspread
This is the best way to redo a bedroom for little or no money. If you have a reversible bedspread, you can switch sides for a while. If you have a duvet, try switching out duvet covers, which is usually inexpensive. Ikea has wonderful duvet sets which usually include the duvet and pillow shams. The thrift store is another wonderful place to buy new bedding. Just make sure to wash it well before using.
Change the Lighting
Properly lighting a room is very important. Lighting of a room either showcase a room or hides it in darkness. Try to move your lamps and lights around to evenly light your room. Try to avoid dark corners. You will be amazed what a difference an extra lamp can make to the appearance of a room. You can purchase lamps inexpensively. If you do choose to buy a lamp second-hand, be careful with the electrical components, the unit may not be up to code.
These few tip can totally change the look of a room. As always, try to make do with what you have. Walk around your house and take stock of what you have, this will help you re-arrange things in your home and give your treasures a new life. Have fun!
A Guide For the Newly Uninsured
As the economy continues to struggle the cost of living is rising for Americans. Many Americans are so strapped for cash that they are having to pick and choose which bills to pay. Lots of Americans do have health insurance through work and some purchase health insurance on their own as well. If you are one of the many Americans who is losing or has lost their health insurance recently, don’t panic. Welcome to the club!
Not having health insurance is not the end of the world if you are healthy. The first thing to do is not to panic. Millions of Americans go without health insurance every year. To survive without it is possible. here are a few tips that I as an uninsured individual live by.
Assess when you really NEED to see a doctor
If you have a cold or the flu there really isn’t a need to see a doctor. A doctor should not prescribe any antibiotics for these issues. Let the body naturally fight it off. Over the counter fever reducer and cold medication should do the trick. To keep from spreading illnesses like these, try to stay contained to one bedroom if possible. Make sure to not let others handle used tissues. Also keep some bleach wipes near the toilet, so that you can wipe the handle when you are done, do the same with door knobs and phones.
The Drug Store and the Pharmacist
For example if you have a stomach ache, try Pepto or Amoduim. These work wonders and cost only a fraction of what the trip to the doctors would. Also if you are going to a store that has a pharmacy, do not be afraid to ask the pharmacist medical questions. They can usually offer sound medical advice. They can usually help you choose the right drug to help you as well. They can also inform you of what illnesses are going around, and tell you the best way to treat it.
When it is Time to See the Doctor
Sometimes, you must go to the doctor. I usually throw in the towel when I have a cold or flu that won’t go away. Another red flag that it’s doctor time, is when someone has a really high fever that will not go away. A high fever is usually a warning sign of infection. Usually when symptoms get worse or do not fade, it is time to see the doctor.
If you do not have a regular doctor, I recommend going to an immediate care center. These facilities have a doctor on staff, and the bill is much more manageable than the emergency room. If you do have a regular doctor, when you are scheduling an appointment let the receptionist know that you do not have insurance. Usually when you let your doctor know ahead of time, they can work out a payment plan. They also can try to keep unnecessary procedures and tests to a minimum.
I am not a medical professional so please use common sense when taking my advice. Please do not sue me if you arm falls off cause you did not go to the doctor. The best thing you can keep yourself healthy. Exercise, eat right and get plenty of sleep. Try to keep unhealthy habits to a minimum. Best of luck to you all!
Resources for Recent Layoffs
540,000 jobs were cut last month, and this month is looking to be worse. It is a scary time to be employed and unemployed right now. Strong stable companies are shedding jobs in an effort to help their bottom line. However, where does that leave the receiver of a pink slip?
Well, if you have recently received a pink slip you are not alone. I came across a statistic the other day that said 70% of Americans know someone who has been effected by the economic downturn or laid off. In looking at that stat, it is amazing to me to see how rampant this really is.
As I was searching the net for information to aid those who have been recently laid off, I came across this article on Mashable.com. They have an article that lists the best 30 websites for those who are jobless right now.
This database of websites is wonderful! It is very rare in the vast universe that is the internet, to find such a detailed and concise list. The database, has sites not only how to find a new job, but how to manage your money until you do.
Ben Parr, the author says,
“But the worst time to panic is when you are laid off and lose your main source of income. We live in a new and powerful era of communication, one where we can find support, gather news, and network without ever leaving our computers.”
I would encourage all to take a quick glance at his database. This is a wonderful resource. I hope that this helps to those of you who have recently recieved that dreaded pink slip
The End of the 24 Hour Society?
As President Obama said, last week in his press conference, Americans are loosing jobs at an alarming rate. Stores are closing like crazy. I am amazed to see even bigger chain stores closing in my area.
We have become an around the clock society. So many stores offer 24 hour services, as opposed to 10 years ago. We have come to expect, that certain mega-retailers and drugstores will be open at all hours of the night, just incase we need something.
However, as the jobless rate goes up. and payroll gets harder to cover for many business’ large and small, will we start to see a decline in the 24 hour store? When I started to thing about this concept in depth, which I had never really done before. I was amazed at how expensive it must be.
A store that is open for 24 hours, 7 days a week must incur some serious costs. Payroll must be outrageous. If you thing about it, the store must be staffed at all times, usually with more than one person. Almost all 24 hour stores have a manager on duty, at all times. Managers are payed more than regular staff and are therefore more expensive.
Then I thought about,how much the energy costs of keeping your doors open at a 24 hour store must be. Heat, or air conditioning, lights, and water? That kind of usage must really add up quickly. Especially for a mega-retailer such as Walmart.
Taking all of these thoughts into account, I wonder, with the downturn in the economy will the 24 hour store survive? As we all know, retail sales are down sharply for the country. People are not out shopping. Which I would think would certainly effect the over night crowd that frequent 24 hour stores.
I am grateful for the store that stays open for 24 hours in times of sickness or emergency. However, I think that with stores being open constantly are slowly changing our society. We are able to do things like shop whenever we’d like that we were not able to do before now.
So, what does this current depression have in store for the 24 hour shopper? I guess only time will tell. Until then, covet your ability to feed your 2 am. fix for that Heath Bar or be thankful that you can buy junior diapers at 4 am.
Austerity and Our New President
Tonight our president came before the press and the American public. Finally some questions about what the stimulus entailed, how it would be put into practice, and how its sucess could be determined.
It was wonderful to see a strong message broadcast to a leary country. Obama ventured to Elkhart Indiana today to see one if the hardest hit towns by this economic recession. I have driven through this area within the past year and I have to say that the scene was deviststing. I was so pleased that our President took the time to go there to see the average American’s plight. Tonight he used these people as an example saying that Washington needed to stop positioning themselves for the next election and work for the people who depend on them.
I watched the entire confernce and a few things stood out to me. First of all the President Obama said,
“As we speak, similar scenes are playing out in cities and towns across the country. Last Monday, more than 1,000 men and women stood in line for 35 firefighter jobs in Miami. Last month, our economy lost 598,000 jobs, which is nearly the equivalent of losing every single job in the state of Maine. And if there’s anyone out there who still doesn’t believe this constitutes a full-blown crisis, I suggest speaking to one of the millions of Americans whose lives have been turned upside down because they don’t know where their next paycheck is coming from.”
I knew the unemployment rate was sky rocking but, it is truly alarming when one looks at the raw data. Large portions of the country have been insulated from what the rest of the country is going through, tonight those people got to see how badly things have become for their fellow Americans.
I also liked how President Obama closed his speech by saying,
“We find ourselves in a rare moment where the citizens of our country and all countries are watching and waiting for us to lead. It is a responsibility that this generation did not ask for, but one that we must accept for the sake of our future and our children’s.”
We as a country are at a history making juncture, it’s sink or swim time. I am optimistic at this point in time, I think that our country will band together and rise again, like we have out of every other depression and recession. This country is not a stranger to hard times, and we have always pulled through. So, lets not break that trend. Let’s help our neighbors where and when we can and stand up as a country to make it through.
Don’t Waste What You Have, Eat your Leftovers
Not to waste is not a new concept to America, just a forgotten one. Survivors to the first depression learned a very valuable lesson, don’t waste anything. Take for instance my grandfather, who is a survivor of the great depression, he saves everything. One day I was in my grandfather’s den, and I noticed that he had a stack of used carbon paper. I asked him why he was saving used carbon paper. He replied that it could always be used again.
Grandpa may be a bit on the extreme side of not wasting but, he’s got a point. Get the most out of what you do have. I am amazed at how much stuff we as a society throw away. It is true that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Instead of throwing things in the garbage, such as clothing or furniture, donate it if possible. There are plenty of needy people out there.
One of the best ways not to be super wasteful is to realize how much food you actually throw away. When I actually started to look at how much food that I was throwing away on a weekly basis I was shocked. My most common food that was thrown away was left-overs. I always put away dinner that went uneaten and took dinner home from restaurants that was uneaten as well. I always had the best intention of finishing my leftovers but, it never happened.
Then I got smart, looking at how much food was actually being thrown away was upsetting. I worked hard to pay for that food, not throw it away. I started to eat my leftovers in my fridge religiously. Not, only was I not wasting but, my grocery bill went down because my food was lasting longer.
My pledge to start eating my leftovers in my fridge, changed the way I did my monthly shopping. I realized that whatever I cooked, I was going to eat until it was gone. I started to cook food that kept well for a few days and was as tasty tomorrow as it would be when I cooked it. Chili, stew, soup, and casseroles are great leftovers.
You can even make leftovers fun. Have a leftover night. Leftover night is where you cook all of the leftovers at once. When other time can you eat Chinese, pizza and pasta at the same time. It can actually be really fun. We used to do this when I was a kid and I loved it.
I won’t say that I don’t throw any food away, I do, but it is a lot less. I hate to throw food away. I recognize how lucky I am to even have food. Really try to eat your leftovers. However, a word of caution, be careful how long you keep leftovers. Know the shelf live of things, and usually as a word of caution don’t eat leftovers that have been in the fridge for more than a week.
Family Emergencies On a Budget
Picture from Flickr
This past month I have had two major family emergencies which have required me to travel. As we all know, travel is not cheap. However, when duty calls, one must go. My husband and I live on a very limited budget, but we’ve managed to squeeze in the funds to go and be with our loved ones during these difficult times.
It is very easy for last minute trips to become very expensive, if one is not careful. In both cases, I made a budget and stuck to it. I also tried to ride with other family members to reduce my travel costs. I was lucky enough to live within an eight hour drive. I chose to travel by car because it was cheaper than a plane ticket. I did my homework on which way would be easier to travel. I also kept in mind that if I flew I would need a rental car.
I find that in a family emergency, that I prefer to stay in a hotel. Please do not misunderstand me, my family is wonderful and they have very nice homes. I find that when I stay in a hotel in times of crisis, my hotel room can be my place of solitude. I require this time to myself, and I find that it gives me time to decompress after a stressful day. I am also able to get a good night’s sleep. Which is vital to staying healthy during difficult times. Hotel stays do not have to be pricey. I found that in both cases staying at the chain hotels on the outskirts of city limits offers a much better room rate.
When setting a budget for a crisis, keep in mind that you have to eat. Depending on where you are, food prices can vary greatly. Just because you are on a budget, don’t eat fast food the entire time because it is cheap. When the body is under stress it is important to eat well. Budget good food into your trip costs. In driving across the country, it is important to keep in mind that a healthy diet should not go out the window, just because you are on the road. I found that I could make healthy, low cost food decisions on the road. Eat well while you are in times of great stress, you will be thankful to yourself. Eating well will keep you healthy and better prepared to handle stress.
Emergencies do not really allow time for the unexpected. Many have saving accounts for this reason. With the tough economy that type of saving seems harder and harder. With this past month, I have learned how truly important it is to have this kind of safety net of funds. I was able to make it on our income, but that is not without taking a financial hit. When family crisis hit, one would like to think that money would not factor in one’s ability to help and be there with family, but as I learned this past month, money factors very greatly. So, do yourself a favor, put a little money aside for an emergency fund, even if it only $100 bucks, every little bit helps. That $100 bucks could cover your food budget while you are gone. I will be trying to put away more that $100. so I am not caught off guard next time. But times are tough and people do the best they can.
On an ending note, while setting a budget is important while going, it is also important to understand that crisis holds the unexpected, and may require more funds than you had originally set aside. Be willing to roll with the punches but, still keep your head about you. I found on my first trip that I had set a strict budget for myself which I stuck to but, I found a needed additional expense during my trip. I was hesitant to spend the funds but, now in hindsight, I am so happy that I listened to my gut instinct and spent the money. Emergencies do not give the luxury of time to plan each dollar spent. So, if you need to spend a little extra, don’t beat yourself up about it, trust your gut and spend the money if necessary.
How to Save Money on a Date; Have it at Home
Date night just seems to be getting more and more expensive, to share a nice night out with a loved one. My husband and I have ditched the traditional date route, of dinner, dancing and a movie. Instead we have decided to have our date nights at home. To many this could sound lame, but it’s actually really wonderful. Date night at home really does have its benefits, especially when the weather is really nasty. We started our at home date nights about a year ago, when we were so stretched for cash, that we could not afford to go out.
Home can be the most romantic setting with a little effort. Set the mood, light some candles. When my husband and I do date night at home, we usually refrain from cooking, unless we cook a special meal for each other. While there is still a cost for ordering in, it is much less than dining out. Plus, we don’t have to go out in the cold weather. We can also have a bottle of wine with dinner at a much more reasonable price. Plus, there is the added benefit of not having to drive home after enjoying a bottle of wine with our dinner.
We will usually rent a movie, pick one from our on-demand from our cable provider, or watch one of the favorites that we own. Keep your romantic evening going in front of your television. Think of your living room as your own personal movie theater. Make popcorn and pick up candy to make it feel more authentic. Even though the movie and snacks may cost money, it will still be less that one would spend on one ticket at the movies. Sometimes we’ll even move our movie night into our bedroom so we can snuggle up together, which you can not do at the movies.
Date night at home allows a lot of freedom to do whatever you like, with your special someone. However, when you are having a date night at home, it is important to remember that you’re on a date, let the dinner dishes soak in the sink. Would you get up and do the dishes at a nice restaurant on a date? If you have children, see if they can stay at a friend’s house for the night. Date night at home, is still a date.
Be flexible with date night at home. Sometimes my husband and I will watch a move, or television. We have even slow danced during nice dinners in our own living room. We’ve also had mock picnics in our living room. Why not? Dinner and a movie doesn’t have to be the order of the evening, do whatever you and your spouse enjoy.
Date night at home can be so much fun. Some of my best dates with my husband have been at home. I actually prefer to have a home date night with my husband than go out. With the current rescission, things just seem to keep getting more expensive. I would prefer to save the money. When I actually think of the value of a dinner and a movie, out, I often don’t feel that it was worth it. So, give it a try, a date night at home. See where it takes you.
The Over Materialization of Parenthood
In these difficult economic times, everyone seems to be cutting back in one way or another. We as a society are really being pushed to ask, what do we really need. American society is materialistic to it’s core. For decades, people have been judged by many, by what they have not who they are. As this trend grew, so did the cost of “keeping up with the Jones.’”
I think that this upward trend of materialization is very prevalent in parenting culture here in the United States. Just like in the wedding industry, women and some men, are sold a dream of how things should be, and that dream is really expensive. However, many do not realize how expensive this dream is until reality hits them.
My husband and I have been discussing starting a family. We know that raising a child is not an inexpensive endeavor, but it does not have to be as expensive as society lets on. In realistically looking at what we would actually need to take care of a baby, their needs are relatively simple. I wondered what the basics would run, crib, bottles and other basics. I was shocked how expensive things were. My mom had my youngest sister when I was a teenager, and I did quite a bit of shopping with her. I was amazed at how much more expensive baby things are today.
Many couples are victims of up-selling, this is where the couple chooses an item and are talked into buying a more expensive item instead. Many are guilted into buying what they cannot afford. Every parent wants the very best for their child, but does that mean that one has to spend $2000. on a crib? Since when did the money that parents spent on a child, measure the degree of love that they have for their child? I know that there are certain items that are expensive, and there is no way around it. Some items must be bought new, due to safety regulations and hygiene issues.
I just do not understand why anyone would overpay for basic items, just as a status symbol. Why is the $600 stroller better than the $100. stroller? What does not make sense to me is that new parents are shelling out ridiculous amounts of money on items that could be bought more economically. With the prospect of raising a child for the next 18 years or more, why not try to be frugal from the beginning?
As for my husband and myself, we know that starting a family will be the most expensive thing we probably ever do. But, we will not be bullied by society that we do not care for our child because we do not have the newest designer clothing on them, or the hottest new car seat. I think it is too over complicated, as long as the product does the job that it is meant to do safely, then why over pay? To me it just does not make sense, why not save the money on the designer stroller and start a college fund for that child?
In this tough economy more and more couples are stepping back and really analyzing what they need to raise a baby. I have come across numerous youtube video on how to save money while raising a child. Having a baby does not have to be as expensive as society lets on. As long as a couple realistically look at what they will actually need, buying all of the needs for a baby does not have to bankrupt new parents.
Like all major purchases, do your homework before you go out and start shopping for your new bundle of joy, do your homework. Ask other new parents what they actually used. So many people over-buy stuff that they will newer even use. When you go into a store to make purchases, set a budget and stick to it. Do not let anyone guilt you into buying something more expensive, that you really don’t need. The prospect of raising a child is costly at best, but don’t let that scare you away, just know what you need and stick to it.
Austerity Guide to Menu Planning – Menu Planning 101
I’ve discussed how to save money at the grocery store before. One of my biggest tips is to plan meals BEFORE you go to the store. When you plan your meals, extras will not find their way into the cart as easily. There are some out there who are meal planning pros, and others who are not so hot at it. Menu planning is so essential to saving money, that I chose some of the best menu planning sites that I have come across. The sites range from expert advice, to directions of how to begin making a meal plan.
Learning How to Make a Meal Plan
Ehow has set up a page that gives step by step directions to setting up a menu ahead of time. The page is laid out very simply and the directions are very easy to follow. I think this is a great starter for those of you who are unsure of how to go about planning a menu.
Menu Planning Instructions From Ehow.com
How to Make a Few Items Work Throughout the Week
Mill Musings is a blog written by another budget conscious blogger. I chose this blog because it illustrates how a few items can last through out the week. In the sample menu that is shown, certain ingredients are used many times during the week, but they are done in a unique and tasty looking way. I also liked that this menu incorporated pictures of the made food.
Menu Ideas for Everyone
Budget 101 is a wonderful website for many different types of services for those who want to get a good deal. I chose this website for the more experienced menu planners or those who want to give planning a try. I like this site because it gives many different types of menu options, whether it be vegetarian or simply feeding 2 people. This is a wonderful database for budget meal planning.
A Wonderful example of a Pro menu planner
The hillbillyhousewife is another great sight for planning meals. I was really impressed at how organized her meal plan was. I was also happy to see that her meal plan was extremely healthy and filling. I think that this is a wonderful example of how to plan a menu. I also like her use of a grid at towards the bottom of the page, which clearly lays out all meals and snacks. I use this technique myself.
Menu, tips and full layout of meal planning
Menu Planning Service
Dine without whine is a menu planning service. Some people out there are just not planners. I am not necessarily saying that this is a good option to save money, because this service does cost money. However, it could be a good start for beginners to see how menu planning is done, or for those who simply do not have the time.
Menu plan is essential to saving money in the grocery store. Sit down have yourself a cup of coffee, get yourself a pen and paper and start planning. I always like to include some of my favorite foods for the week. Don’t plan your menu so cheaply that you don’t like what you put on it. Buy food that you and whoever you are feeding likes. Once you know what you want to eat, start you list for the store. It is much harder for unneeded extras to work their way into your grocery cart when you have a list in hand. Happy Planning!
