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Budgeting

Christmas gifts on a budget

January 2, 2018 by Lynn

Christmas spending can get totally out of hand, with the annual push for more, bigger, better. Time off work paired with the expense of parties, travel, and shopping at the grocery store for those special holiday meals doesn’t help matters. Take back control of the gift list with budget-friendly Christmas gifting ideas.

DIY

Creative homemade gifts can be a great option for those on a budget. For best results, consider your recipient’s interests and tastes, and price out materials ahead of time. If you need the supplies for other tasks or you can reuse them for multiple gifts, you’ll save more money. Dollar stores and some secondhand shops or thrift stores can also provide crafting supplies inexpensively enough to make DIY gifting practical. This is a great option for creative, artistic people with good hand-eye coordination, lots of patience, and some proven skills. If you’re new to crafting and DIY, make sure that you give yourself lots of time to work on the gifts, and that you have extra materials on hand to make up for any false starts, and be realistic about the complexity of projects. Homemade gifts can range from cute, simple everyday items decorated to a friend or loved-one’s taste, to impressive efforts in bespoke customization.

Humor

Joke or gag gifts can provide big fun on a budget. Since many of these are inexpensively mass-produced, their value comes from the response that they can elicit. Pick up on inside jokes, established interests, and styles of humor to find the right gifts for those on your list. Consider the probable audience in the room when it’s opened – adult humor can be great fun among friends or mature relations, but you don’t want to be scrambling to make awkward explanations in front of the kids on Christmas morning. Likewise, lowbrow humor will work better with the young and young-at-heart than those on your list with a more elevated or dry sense of fun.

Fandoms

Like joke gifts, there are often a wide variety of mass-produced goods targeted towards fans of pop culture franchises across film, gaming, and comic media types. Look for character or branded goods that the recipient would enjoy or find useful. From wearables to purely artistic pieces, toys to character serving ware and themed peripherals, there’s something for everyone. You can blend this with a DIY gift if you’re artistically inclined.

Vintage and second-hand

Vintage and second-hand shopping is an underutilized strategy in the budget shopper’s arsenal. Good for the environment, socially responsible, and deeply creative, finding the perfect gift in the post-consumer market is a treasure hunt for an unknown prize. You can go searching for one thing and find an even more perfect gift idea drop in your lap unexpectedly. While true vintage can fetch high prices in discerning markets, you can often find incredible deals on surprising finds – and be sure to find unique gift options. Online markets such as eBay and Craigslist are another bargain-hunter’s dream if you know what you’re looking for.

Books

Simple, fun, and budget-friendly, a good book is a smart choice for any recipient. If you’re not sure about the literary taste of those on your list, browsing their social media for ideas or asking for a recommendation based on age or interests at the bookstore are both great approaches. Bookstore employees are generally book enthusiasts who have wide-ranging knowledge about trends and top titles across many genres and love to help you find the perfect bookish gift.

Practical

Sometimes, the best budget gifts meet a need or supply a regular activity or interest. Keep things simple and elegant, or pull together a box of fun goodies with a theme. Perennial favorites for adults can be barware such as whisky glasses or whisky tumblers, a cocktail shaker, a wine decanter, or home décor such as a new decorative pillow or throw blanket in the recipient’s preferred shade, pattern, or style. For children, a selection of art and craft supplies or themed, age-appropriate small toys such as a collection of farm animals or dinosaurs can keep them busy and entertained. For teens, foundational or fun cosmetics don’t have to cost a fortune, and simple basics such as socks suited to hobbies, activities, or other tastes can go over surprisingly well. Pick up on a regular drink order with a new coffee mug, tea tumbler, or water bottle in a design that suits the recipient.

Whether you’re a DIY master artisan or a thrift-store maven, these budget-friendly ideas are sure to help you breeze through your list this year.

Filed Under: Budgeting, DIY

Even If You’ve Finally Moved In, Your Tasks are Not Over Yet

December 19, 2017 by Lynn

Don’t think that once you have finally arrived at your new place, you no longer have anything to do. In fact, the tasks have just begun. There are a lot of things that you need to settle before you can finally take a rest. Here are some important reminders.

Say hi to your neighbours

You might not find this important but establishing a good relationship with the people closest to you is a must. If there are emergency problems, you can contact them for help. If you need someone to talk to, they can also be there as they are the nearest people to you. You should find some time just to say hi and let them know more about you.

Check the local post office

It is important that you have transferred all the mail addressed to your old house to your new house. Check with the post office if there has been mail delivered to your old place. This is pretty common. You should organise this even before moving to your new place. You must advise those who need to know about your change of address, especially for important bills.

Look for local professionals

It is great if you know a doctor or a vet whom you can really trust. In the event of an emergency, you don’t want to just find anyone close to you. While you have the time, start searching for local professionals. Ask your neighbours if they have recommendations. Read online reviews. Visit their offices or call them.

Contact insurance companies

You need a new insurance policy now that you are in a different place. If the previous insurance still applies, it would be great. You just have to change the address.

Consider getting a storage space

You might not have the time to arrange everything in your new place immediately. You should consider renting a storage space in a nearby facility. You can keep some items there while you are still fixing up your new place. It is more practical. Besides moving in to a new place can get messy. The last thing you want is a whole bunch of boxes left unopened in the corner of every room. Make your life easier and stay organized.

Hire a professional moving company

If the tasks involved once you have moved in seem overwhelming, imagine if you are yet to move. There are a lot more tasks that have to be done. Ask for help from a professional moving company like http://www.advanced-removals.co.uk. They will be there as scheduled. They can help pack the items, place them on a truck and deliver them to your new place.

It is not easy moving to a new place but if the opportunities are there, grab the chance. You should also get all the help you can get to make things easier.

 

Image: Pixabay.com

Filed Under: Budgeting, Life Hacks

5 Ways to Make Organising a Funeral Wake/Reception Simple

December 12, 2017 by Lynn

If a loved one has recently passed away, you may be overwhelmed both by your loss and by the responsibility of organising a funeral or a wake. Prepaid funerals will definitely help reduce the stress during such a hard time, but not everyone has the funeral prepaid. So, if you’re feeling stressed out, simply continue reading to discover 5 tips which will make organizing a funeral or wake as simple as possible. 

5 Ways to Make Organising a Funeral Wake/Reception Simple:

  1. Use a funeral director

Funeral directors can help reduce your stress dramatically. If a loved one such as a parent, grandparent or partner passes away, it’s well worth hiring an experienced funeral director will able to guide you through each step of planning a funeral. As you may not be aware of the tasks which must be dealt out before a wake or funeral. As an example, you’ll have to prepare a eulogy, order flowers and choose a photograph of the deceased, to appear on the front of their funeral program. 

  1. Get simple food recipes for funerals

While many families feel pressure to provide catering for their guests, there’s no point spending countless hours slaving away in the kitchen as most guests have little appetite at a funeral. Instead, search for simple, fuss-free recipes which will take little preparation time. You can even find creative recipes using simple foods such as, vegetables or fruit. This will for sure impress your guests while keeping it easy and less stressful. 

  1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help 

Don’t be too proud to accept help. As an example, why not ask a trusted family member to invite some of your deceased’s family and friends to the funeral, which you’re organizing. As you may not be emotionally up to breaking the bad news to dozens of family members and friends. Alternatively, if a friend offers to drop off precooked meals or to babysit your kids, don’t be afraid to accept their offer. As the fewer tasks you have on your plate, the better.

  1. Concentrate on celebrating the good times

Let the individual who has passed away’s rich life, inspire their funeral service or wake. As an example. why not feature some of their favorite songs during their funeral service or wake? You may even be interested in sharing some of their favorite jokes, with your guests, to lighten the mood. If you plan on hosting a funeral reception, you may want to place some of your favorite photos of your late friend, partner or family member on a table. Followed by some of their favorite things, such as their favorite sweets or their favorite CDs. 

  1. Don’t feel pressured to purchase the most expensive casket on offer

Caskets typically range in price from $5,000. With some caskets be priced at $7,000 – $10,000. However, there’s absolutely no need to feel pressured to impress others with a fancy casket. As the purpose of a funeral is for individuals who care about the deceased to celebrate their loved one’s life. Concentrate on sharing memories and supporting each other, instead of spending a small fortune on things such as a casket, flowers, and catering. 

So if you’re currently in the process of planning a funeral or wake, it’s well worth hiring a funeral director for emotional and practical support and asking assistance from your loved ones. Remember if in doubt, keep it simple!

Filed Under: Budgeting, Mommy Blog

The Proper Way to Fix a Budget for Your Kitchen Refurbishment

November 10, 2017 by Lynn

If you feel your kitchen is due for a remodeling, refurbishment, or a complete overhaul, you may be both excited and worried – thinking about that beautiful new kitchen can make you energised, but thinking about the possible expenses might make you anxious. That’s perfectly normal; refurbishing projects rarely go without a hitch and require some careful planning.

Luckily, there are experts who are willing to give you some invaluable – and free – advice. Are you planning to upgrade your kitchen? Are you worried about the costs? If you’re a mother like me, you have to worry about grocery costs, clothes and much more. So that you don’t worry about a kitchen upgrade cost, here’s the proper way to fix a budget for your kitchen refurbishment.

Think about the budget, and stick with it

This seems obvious but it can be tempting to add during the project, and that’s often a mistake. When fixing your budget, consider that your labour costs can amount to anywhere from a fifth to a third of your budget. Secondly, consider the reasons of (and the long-term implications of) your refurbishment. Are you planning to move in a couple of years? Is it worth a large investment? Do some research.

Break it down

Once you’ve fixed your budget, list down what you really want and what your priorities are. Breaking down your budget into categories can guide your decision-making process. On the average, certain items require more funds than others:

  • Labour – 20 to 35%
  • Cabinets and worktops such as beautiful quartz worktops London from J.R. Stone – about 33%
  • Appliances – between 20 and 30%
  • Tiling, windows, and other items vary greatly depending on the quality.

Establish a buffer

It’s very common to have unexpected expenses when it comes to construction or renovation projects. This is not necessarily due to bad management or poor design choices, but simply because during the process unforeseen problems can pop up – for example: cracks in the walls, or the discovery that the plumbing is in bad shape. Establish a buffer; expect to spend 20% more than planned.

Keep track

During the project, money is going to flow out the window at a very fast pace. To avoid misunderstandings and unpleasant surprises, make sure you keep careful track of your expenses, and regularly check whether or not this fits with your budget planning.

Here’s one more important factor to consider whilst your kitchen is undergoing its renovation: do you plan on staying in the house? Staying somewhere else will encourage you to spend more. Furthermore, even if you decide to stay in the home whilst the work is going on, you’re probably going to be spending more money on take-out food or eating out. These expenses might be trivial, but many small expenses do make a larger amount, and it has to be factored in from the start. Your project needs to be planned well, and this includes the budget. Keep track of it carefully.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Design, Mommy Blog

Avoid These Mistakes When Choosing a Wedding Venue

November 7, 2017 by Lynn

Wedding preparations are tough. Some couples have to wait for months or even years before getting married because of all the preparations. There are even those who have unfortunately decided to call off the wedding.

The venue is one of the reasons why wedding plans are difficult. You might have a lot of criteria when it comes to the venue and it is your right to select the best place. However, even if you have found the perfect location, your desired date might not be available. Therefore, you have to adjust the date again and consult with everyone else regarding their availability. By avoiding these mistakes when choosing your wedding venue, dress and catering, your dream wedding can finally come to fruition.

  1. Booking the venue without finalising the details

You shouldn’t just book a venue in fear that you won’t have it on your desired date, unless you reserve it now. You should finalise the guest list first. You should check the cost and compare it with other venues in the area. If you rush this process, you might regret it. You might find a better venue later. Worse, the venue might not be large enough to accommodate everyone you have invited or wish to invite.

  1. Not asking about the complete fees

Don’t just ask for the cost of the reservation. There could be extra charges you need to be aware of before you finalise the deal. Once these hidden fees are charged, the total could be much more, and you might just want to change your mind regarding the reservation. Ask about all the fees in advance and everything they cover.

  1. Failure to understand the cancellation policy

Let’s face it. Even if you have already decided on the date and other details of the wedding, things could still go wrong, and you might have to postpone the wedding. Therefore, you need to know what the cancellation policy is at your chosen venue. If they don’t allow cancellation, you won’t have any choice but to pay the full cost and this could be very high.

  1. No contingency plan

If you have chosen an outdoor wedding venue, you should be prepared for all possibilities. Even if the weather forecast says the weather will be fine on your wedding day, you can’t trust it completely. In the event the weather changes, you should have an alternative venue so that the wedding can continue.

Now that you understand some common mistakes in booking a wedding venue, you can continue all your plans. Be more particular, especially if you are booking Asian wedding venues. You should also not forget to ask exactly what is included for what you have paid, so you won’t have to spend more money on any unexpected items later.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Life Hacks

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The Lilac City Momma

Hi ladies! I'm Lynn, the mother of two beautiful children. I have a 4 year old girl and an 8 month old boy. I love them beyond works, but sometimes motherhood is exhausting. So I started this blog to share all my DIY's, hacks and recipes to make life easier on moms around the world.

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