"Money is the sign of liberty. To curse money is to curse liberty - to curse life, which is nothing, if it be not free." - Gourmont

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Will I Ever Earn Enough?

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In my therapy session earlier this week, I was telling my psychologist all my grand plans for my business and the financial goals I’d like to accomplish. As I was explaining to my therapist that I have a full-time job, I blog, I’m a landlord, I’ll soon prepare taxes, and somehow manage to run my business, she became concerned that I was taking on too much. I assured her that many of my jobs could be done from home and don’t require a lot of effort. She then asked me why I work so hard, and did I ever think I’d earn enough.

This conversation could have become an in-depth philosophical discussion regarding money and my need for more of it. However, I don’t require more cash or have a goal to reach a specific salary. On the contrary, my life was simpler when I had less, and I miss those times. My goal is to get out of debt as quickly as possible, so I can have the life I really want.

My Why

I’ve been carrying a sizable amount of debt for two years since I purchased my primary residence and rental property and took out a loan to expand my business. Though I have rental income, the profits don’t make a sizable enough dent in the principal or the mortgages. Therefore, I supplement them with additional streams of income until I can sell the properties. Ultimately, while I’m single, I want to have a tiny house paid for in cash, zero debt, and a puppy.

My Goal

My goal is to be completely debt-free by December 2021. This journey will require sacrifice and plenty of extra income. I realize I haven’t been sticking to my budget like I should and prioritizing my debt payoff. I know I have to get back on track to make my dream a reality. Increasing my income is just one part of the equation. The other part is reducing debt, minimizing expenses, and keeping both of those low.

How Much is Enough?

Personally, without debt, I think I could live comfortably on $50,000 annually or less. I don’t want a big house because that means more maintenance, taxes, and cleaning. The type of vehicle I drive is negotiable as long as it has good gas mileage and low maintenance costs. I spend the majority of my income on housing, traveling, and food. I’m single, and I don’t have any children, so my expenses are minimal at this point, other than my debt payments.

Will I Earn Enough?

To answer her question, I think I already earn enough in the grand scheme of things. I have a high salary and several streams of income. I’m working to make more to eliminate my debt and set up my future earnings. If I can invest well, I plan to live off my dividends. If I can make $50,000 annually in dividends with no debt payments, I should be in an excellent position for a simple life.

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Halloween Spending is on the Rise: What Kind of Halloween Candy is the Cheapest?

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What kind of halloween candy is the cheapest

Halloween has become one of America’s favorite holidays. This year, Halloween spending is expected to reach $8.8 billion. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a ton of money celebrating. If you’re looking for a way to save on your celebration, you may be asking yourself two questions, “what kind of Halloween candy is the cheapest” and “where are the best Halloween candy deals?”

What Kind of Halloween Candy is the Cheapest?

In general, the more generic brands of candy are going to be the cheapest to hand out on Halloween. Brand names such as Hershey’s and M&M’s will be on sale, but they’ll still be more expensive than generic candy. These are the cheapest kinds of candy you’ll find in 2019.

  • Necco Wafers
  • Dubble Bubble Gum
  • Jawbreakers
  • Good & Plenty
  • Tootsie Rolls
  • Tootsie Pops
  • Smarties
  • Candy Jewelry
  • Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses Candy
  • Licorice
  • Bit-O-Honey
  • Circus Peanuts
  • Candy Dots
  • Wax Bottles
  • Now and Laters
  • Candy cigarettes
  • Boston Baked Beans
  • Anything generic

Finding Cheap Name-Brand Candy

As mentioned above, name-brand candies will be on sale this time of year for Halloween. Looking at the list above, non-chocolate candy seems to be among the cheapest. So, if you are looking for cheap name-brand stuff, you may want to head the way of Smarties, Air Heads, and the like.

Another way you can save on all types of name-brand candy (chocolate and non-chocolate) is by buying the candy in bulk. Costco Halloween candy is amongst the cheapest name-brand candy to be had at this time of year. If you’re planning ahead, you may even want to grab some additional candy for Thanksgiving gatherings and Christmas stockings.

Costco isn’t the only store offering up savings on Halloween candy this year either. Check out the stores below.

Target Halloween Candy

Candy at Walmart

Walmart also has some great deals available. Most of the bags available at this retailer are a bit larger than the ones found at Target, making the purchase more expensive, but the price-per-piece much cheaper.

Party City Halloween Candy

Party City is a one-stop-shop for Halloween costumes, decorations, and candy. They are currently offering 20 percent off of eligible orders online. Here are just a few of the deals available.

Amazon Candy Deals

In many places, you should be able to get same-day delivery with Amazon Prime. If that’s the case, you can still score great deals on Amazon when shopping for Halloween candy. Here are this year’s deals.

When it comes to finding out what kind of Halloween candy is the cheapest, there are a few things to consider. What kind of candy do you what? How much are you willing to spend? How much do you need? Either way, these candy options are the cheapest out there this year.

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Savings Tip: Make Your Clothing Last

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Wouldn’t it be great if you could make your clothing last longer instead of paying to replace them regularly? The average adult spends about $1,800 per year on clothes. You could save your self over $1,000 by following these simple tips.

Follow the Care Instructions

In case you didn’t know, the little icons on your garment tags are the care instructions. Depending on the label, they might have even written the instructions down. Either way, figure out what your clothes need and do just that if you want them to make it past one wash cycle. They will give you guidelines for water temperature, wash cycle, bleach, ironing, and drying.

Update Your Routine

Are you doing your laundry the same way you did in college – you toss everything in the washing machine and then the dryer? Beyond the fact that you missed the first step of looking at the tag, you also failed to sort.

make clothing last longer

Sorting

Sorting is usually done by color family to avoid dye transfer, but you also have to consider the type of fabric. Delicates need a gentler cycle to prevent rubbing against the agitator or coarser materials. You might want to forego the washer altogether and handwash them in the sink.

Fabric Softener

Are you washing workout attire? You may want to skip the fabric softener. This additive can destroy the stretchy fibers in your tights and tank, making them ill-fitting. Additionally, it can cause your gear to retain odors or lose their moisture-wicking properties. In other words, fabric softener can defeat workout clothes’ entire purpose.

Drying

Further, everything doesn’t need to go in the dryer. You should hang clothes to dry if you don’t want them to shrink or the tag says to avoid high heat. When hanging them up, you can minimize wrinkles without using an iron. Thus, you can eliminate burn marks or that sheen on the fabric. Again, check the tags to see if you’re supposed to iron your clothes and at which setting. If you must, ironing while damp can alleviate wrinkles better than ironing dry fabric.

Buy Better Clothes

Now that you know how to maintain the clothing you own already, here’s how you find new pieces for your wardrobe. Search for clothing made out of quality, durable material. I know you can find most of the items you’re looking for on Amazon for a fraction of the price. However, you will probably need to replace them next month and the month after that. I’m not encouraging you to spend $100 or more on undergarments by any means. I’m recommending you compare fabric and durability before you invest in the product. You get what you pay for with clothing. If it’s cheap to purchase, it’s probably cheaply made.

Properly maintaining your clothes may take more time, but it will make your clothes last longer. It will also save you money, even with a small increase in your laundry costs. If you buy quality pieces you love, then take care of them, you may have them for years to come.

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Which Unlimited Plan is Best for One Device?

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unlimited plan

I’m in the market for the lowest-price, unlimited data cellular plan that works internationally at no additional cost. It’s time to revisit my service to make sure I’m getting the best deal.

Current Plan

I’ve had my current phone plan, Google Fi Flexible, for almost a year, and it’s incredibly inexpensive and easy to use. However, it does not have unlimited data, so I pay $10 per gigabyte (GB), or fraction thereof. My base costs are $20 for unlimited talk and text. My total comes out to about $25 with taxes and fees before data.

Generally, metered data isn’t an issue because I work remotely and am on WiFi about 80-90% of the time. I only have a problem when I have to travel and can’t connect to a secure network. My last long trip resulted in more than double my normal data usage, and my bill was $72. On average, my statement is $37, which includes several months where credits canceled out my charges. The Google Fi Unlimited plan starts at $70 per month.

Unlimited Plans

If I stop working remotely full-time or increase my travel, an unlimited plan that works internationally is the ideal solution. Currently, Google Fi operates in over a hundred countries by switching to the local cell towers. I used it when I visited Europe last year without needing data unless I was sending photos to an iPhone.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile has a similar international setup, and it offers WiFi calling. Google Fi is essentially the same network with the same perks, but T-Mobiles services will work on my iPhone. Google Fi works best with Android phones, so not all functions work on my phone. T-Mobile’s Essential unlimited plan for one phone is $65 without autopay, plus $4 for voicemail transcription, with international capability. I could save $5 by using autopay, but it still doesn’t seem more affordable long-term. I already have the transcription service included and cheaper rates internationally. Taxes and fees would have me paying my highest bill consistently.

Sprint

Sprint’s Essential plan is $60 per month and includes Hulu. I currently only pay $1.11 per month for Hulu, so that doesn’t help me. It only plays video in standard definition (SD) and will degrade service in congested areas. Its mobile hotspot is limited to 500 megabytes which is an odd amount for an unlimited plan. This plan sounds like it’s secretly a metered plan and Sprint hopes you won’t notice.

AT&T

AT&T’s lowest unlimited plan is $70 per month with autopay and after two billing cycles. It has unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada, but it streams in SD and also meters for congestion. It offers live television, but I don’t watch TV enough to justify paying over $70 every month. As the most expensive so far, this is at the very bottom of the list.

Verizon

Verizon’s unlimited plan pricing is similar to AT&T’s. However, Verizon is also promoting a metered data plan comparable to Google Fi’s. It offers unlimited talk and text, plus two GB of data for $35. The drawbacks are you have to add international functions, every additional GB is $15, and you need to lease a new phone for an additional $20 per month. I was interested in switching at first, but it doesn’t fit my criteria.

Final Decision

Based on my research, I have the most affordable plan for my needs. I can manage my data usage to keep my statement balance low, especially when traveling. There is WiFi for everything else.

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Financial Advice I’d Give My Younger Self

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If I can go back in time, I would do so many things differently with my money. I’ve learned so much through experience and research. Below, I detail the financial advice I’d give my younger self.

Invest Early

Start investing as soon as possible in various approaches. Deposit the maximum amount in an individual retirement account (IRA) and a 401k annually. If the employer offers to match your contributions, then take advantage. Open a brokerage account and invest in exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, and mutual funds. These funds make it easy to invest in multiple stocks without fees for each. They often provide dividends which can be an additional income stream. The earlier you start, the longer your investments have to grow and compound.

Avoid Debt

Debt seems like an inevitable part of life, but it is unnecessary and completely avoidable. Instead of taking out student loans, apply for more scholarships and grants. Apply before and during the school year for all available funding. Before making any purchases, plan and save up for as long as needed to avoid charging the purchase. This discipline applies to a house, a car, electronics, or any other wanted item. There is no need to take out a loan or use a credit card for anything you want. It will take time and patience but will keep you debt-free.

Stick to Your Financial Goals

Set financial goals and priorities, then determine which expenditures are hindering your success. Don’t let your costs increase as your salary increases. Keeping your costs low will provide additional funding for savings and investments. Keep track of income and expenses over time. Find ways to decrease the charges when they start to creep up. Shop around for insurance, services, and groceries. If you want to travel more, then spend less elsewhere.

Allow yourself to enjoy life while being mindful of spending and splurging. It is okay to spend money because that’s why it exists. However, ensure you have added to priorities first. Saving and investments should come before eating out, shopping, and expensive travel. Find deals for dining such as restaurant week. Use bargain sites for experiences and excursions. Maximize the use of coupons, rewards, and sales to reduce spending.

Shop Smart

Try to avoid expensive purchases while in desperation. For example, don’t wait to buy a car until you need one right that second. You will be more prone to make a bad deal or pay more than you want. Everything is negotiable or found elsewhere. Don’t take an uncomfortable offer for a house, appliance, cellular phone, television, or other major purchase. Salespeople can be aggressive, but the ball is in your court. Research what you want and what you’re willing to spend. Once you have set your budget, stick to it. Don’t be afraid to walk away.

Establish Good Habits Early

Finally, more money won’t make you better at managing it. Learn to budget and save at all income levels. Building good habits earlier will save thousands of dollars later. Once you find a system that works for you, stick with it, and update as necessary.

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Financial Advice

4 Steps to Furnishing Your New Place While Saving Big

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furnishing new place

Whether you are moving into your first place or decided to upsize, filling your home with furniture is often a costly venture. According to For Rent, the average person spends $3,596 on bedroom furnishings alone. If you want to buy a new sofa, the average cost, according to Forbes, comes in at about $1,025. For many, spending thousands upon thousands of dollars to furnish their home just isn’t a realistic option. Luckily, it is possible to save big while outfitting your new place. Here are four steps to furnishing your new place that ensure you won’t break the bank.

1. Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops

If you are outfitting your home and need practically everything, thrift stores are a great place to start. Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and Salvation Army stores are filled with useful household items for incredibly low prices. Plus, if you head to thrift stores near affluent neighborhoods, you might be able to find some high-end brands for cheap.

Consignment shops are also worth exploring when you need to furnish your new place. Like thrift stores, you are buying used items for lower prices. However, the costs can be higher, but the quality might be upped as well, making it a reasonable tradeoff.

2. Reselling Apps and Websites

Apps like LetGo and OfferUp allow shoppers to connect with local sellers who want to get rid of their excess stuff. You can find nearly any item imaginable, especially if you live in or near a big city, including furniture, housewares, and home décor items.

Similarly, Craigslist is still a popular option for people who want to sell items they no longer need, making it worth checking as well. Facebook also has thriving community marketplaces, usually hosted in groups focused on a location. If you need something and want a chance to get it for free, consider signing up at Freecycle as well as people are not allowed to charge for anything they offer up on the site.

Since people can list nearly anything for sale, the prices, quality, and condition can vary greatly. However, it does give you a chance to score some bargains if you are patient and vigilant.

3. Garage, Yard, and Estate Sales

If you don’t mind doing a little traveling, garage, yard, and estate sales can give you a chance to get some nice items for significantly less than retail. As with shopping the reseller apps and websites, the quality, condition, and price can vary. You also have to deal with the travel costs and understand that you could spend hours scouring sales only to find nothing that piques your interest.

However, you do have the option to negotiate to bring prices down further. This means that you could spot a bargain and get it for even cheaper than the usual sticker price.

4. Discount and Big Box Retailers

If the idea of having used furnishings makes your skin crawl, then focus on discount and big box retailers. Stores like Ross Dress for Less, TJ Maxx, Big Lots, and HomeGoods have new items at prices far below traditional retail, and you can actually check out the items in-person at the stores. Walmart, Target, and Ikea also have reasonably priced furniture and household items, and some may be on display, allowing you to get a closer look at a piece before you buy.

For those who don’t feel the need to try before they buy, Amazon, Wayfair, and Overstock could be worth checking out. While the prices can run the gamut, it is possible to score some deals here as well.

Ultimately, it is possible to furnish your new place without breaking the bank as long as you shop in the right places. Consider following the steps above and see if you can’t score some bargains while you outfit your new home.

Do you have another tip that can help people furnish their new place without spending a bundle? Share it in the comments below.

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