The start of a new year is the perfect time to take control of your finances and get them in order. If you’ve been meaning to get organized and make better financial decisions, we listed 5 budgeting tips below to help you reach your financial goals.

Create a spreadsheet

It helps to see where all your money’s going when everything is laid out before you. Create a spreadsheet and list your income along with all your expenses. This list should include all financial obligations such as your: monthly rent or mortgage, loan repayments, subscription services, utility bills, insurance premiums, transportation fees, and more.

Set a realistic budget

Once you’ve listed everything out, it’s time to create a personal budget. Make sure to prioritize any monthly expenses, retirement accounts and savings, then make allocations for food, groceries, and any other personal supplies. The goal should be to pay off your debts and maximize your savings, however try to set a realistic budget that doesn’t feel overly restrictive – allow for any surprises and factor in fun things such as entertainment, shopping, travel, eating out, etc.

Review monthly subscriptions

Monthly subscription service fees may seem small at first, but they can seriously add up when you total the amount for an entire year. Review all your subscriptions and pause or cancel any services you no longer need. This can include: fitness memberships, streaming music and video services, subscription boxes, delivery services, and more.

Start an emergency fund

If you haven’t already set up an emergency fund, there’s no time like the present. An emergency fund is a safety net that can cover any unexpected moments such as: the loss of a job, expensive car or household repairs, medical bills, and other emergencies. Financial experts recommend saving anywhere from three to six months worth of your basic living expenses in your emergency fund.

Cut back on unnecessary spending

Try to be more mindful of your buying decisions and avoid making impulse purchases. If you’re thinking of making any considerable purchases, delay it and ask yourself if it’s really necessary and if your budget could allow for it. Reducing unnecessary spending could also mean brewing your own daily coffee at home, limiting dining out and takeout food, and cutting back on alcohol.

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Get this deal!

Who doesn’t need a free tote bag?  Create a Dollar General account and take a brief quiz for a chance to receive this freebie as well as a digital coupon booklet!

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Ahh- winter and hair! We all know what that means- frizz, dryness, static, and hat hair! All the things we don’t want…but what can you do about it? We can’t control the weather, and there are some good things about winter, too. (Okay- I feel like I had so say that but I can’t think of any really.) So there are two ways to deal with winter hair: embrace the frizz and the hat hair, or find ways to get around all the winter hair problems. I know I’m choosing the second one!

1. Dryer sheet:

Poke the bristles of your brush through a dryer sheet and you won’t become electrified when you brush. This will also help with frizz.

2. Shampoo less often:

Shampooing can dry out your scalp, which can cause flaking and frizz. See how long you can go before you just have to shampoo. Try using a dry shampoo in between if you just can’t stand it.

3. Keep the heat down:

It’s really best to wash your hair with lukewarm water, but it that’s too cold for you, you can just end your shower with a blast of cooler water. This will help make your hair shiny and less frizzy.

4. Deep condition:

About once a week, treat your hair and scalp to an intense moisturizing conditioner. You’ll love the results!

5. Leave-in conditioner:

Double up on moisturizing. Condition after you shampoo, and then use a leave-in conditioner after you dry your hair. If you find leave-in conditioner too gooey or sticky, you may want to try different brands. Another thing to try is putting a little regular conditioner in a spray bottle, fill the bottle up with water, and then use it to mist your hair with conditioner before brushing or styling.

6. Change up your shampoo:

Your skin, scalp, and hair change with the seasons, so you might need to try a different shampoo than the one you loved this summer.

7. Eat well:

Your hair and scalp also need good nutrition to be healthy. Make sure your diet includes plenty of protein, vitamin D, and healthy fats.

8. Drink water:

This is a basic health rule that also benefits your hair. Keeping your body hydrated helps keep your hair and scalp from getting too dry.

9. Prevent hat hair:

Everyone hates hat hair- but hats are so cute, and my head gets cold! Stop your hat from ruining your style by parting your hair on the opposite side before putting on a hat. Then, when you take the hat off, just flip it over to your regular side and it should look great!

10. Scalp massage:

Massaging your scalp helps distribute oils and keep your blood circulating. For added moisture treatment, use a massaging oil.

11. Trim:

Getting regular trims is important for keeping your hair looking healthy. This gets rid of split ends that make your hair look dry and frizzy.

12. Use a humidifier:

Dry winter air, and dryness from indoor heating can contribute to dry hair and scalp. You can minimize this by running a humidifier at home.

How do you keep your hair looking great in the winter? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

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We’re all about saving money- any time of the year- but it’s especially important around the holidays when there are extra expenses that come up. There are lots of ways to control spending, and one of our favorites is careful grocery shopping. Check out our post for some awesome money saving grocery shopping tips! In addition to smart shopping, you can save lots of money on groceries by DIY-ing it! Yes, there are many common grocery items that are pretty easy to make at home, and definitely a lot cheaper! Here are some ideas for you:

1. Nut butter:

Healthy nut butters (almond, cashew) are very expensive, and the best ones contain only one ingredient: the nut itself! Don’t pay a premium for someone else to grind it up- buy freshly roasted nuts of your choice (or roast them yourself) and whir them up in a food processor for a few minutes to get the consistency you like. Be patient because it takes time, but definitely worth it!

2. Pesto:

You can save money by making your own pesto, and even better- you get to be creative about it! Experiment with different herbs or combinations of herbs, seasonings, and add-ins.

3. Applesauce:

If you’ve never made your own applesauce, you’re in for a treat! Homemade is so much better than jarred and also much better for you. Here’s another opportunity to make it your own by adding spices, maple syrup, vanilla, or whatever you like!

4. Bread:

There’s nothing like freshly baked bread! Packaged bread usually has all kinds of additives to keep it fresh on the shelf longer, and who needs that? Keep it simple and make your own.

5. Granola:

Granola is an expensive breakfast option. And the store-bought versions are not always as healthy as you think! Many contain loads of sugar and other unnecessary ingredients, which you get to control when you make your own. Your wallet will be happy, too.

6. Hummus:

Hummus is a powerhouse of a snack, with protein and fiber, and it’s also so simple and cheap to whip up at home!

7. Croutons:

Croutons are great to have around for soups and salads, but do you really want to pay for something you can so easily make yourself? Plus, making croutons is a great way to use up bread that’s less than fresh- so you avoid wasting, too! Simply cube up the bread, toss with some garlic powder and toast in the oven until dried out.

8. Soup:

You can make a huge pot of vegetable or lentil soup for just a few dollars, and it’s easy, too! Make a large batch and freeze some for later.

9. Baby food:

Baby food is really just grown up food that’s been pureed, and you can make it yourself for no extra cost, and at better quality than what you buy, too!

10. Guacamole:

Okay, avocados aren’t always cheap, but they’re still usually cheaper than buying already prepared guac. And homemade tastes so much better! Try it and you’ll never go back to the packaged version!

What groceries do you make at home? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Is there a household that doesn’t own a hair dryer? Okay, maybe there are a handful, but most people use hairdryers to style their hair, or even just to get it dry. Wet hair is not a good feeling! So since this is a common household object, I bet there are lots of readers who would love to know some new ways to use their hair dryers, and I’ve got you!

1. Dusting:

Blow away dust from the top of your refrigerator and other high shelves.

2. Stretch shoes:

Do you have a fabulous pair of shoes that are just not comfortable? Here’s an easy way to break them in: put on tight socks and blast with a hair dryer for a few minutes. Do this as many times as you need to.

3. Remove sticker glue:

Point the hot air at the adhesive residue to make it easy to remove.

4. Band-aids:

Make it less painful to take off by softening the glue with a hair dryer first.

5. Eyelashes:

Get the most from your eyelash curler by warming it up with a hair dryer for a few seconds before using.

6. Smooth wrinkled clothes:

Spray the clothes with water and blow hot air over it until the wrinkles are smoothed over.

7. Soften butter:

Hey, it works!

8. Defrost pipes:

Frozen pipes can burst and nobody wants that. Blow hot air over them to defrost.

9. Nail polish:

Blow cool air over your nail polish to help it dry faster.

10. Remove crayon:

Any home with a toddler has had to deal with crayon on the wall. Point the hot air at the crayon marks to melt them, then wipe.

How do you use your hair dryer? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

The post 10 Brilliant Ways to Use a Hair Dryer appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

It’s fall and there are pumpkins everywhere! You can’t have fall decor without a token pumpkin, Starbucks is deep into Pumpkin Spice Latte season, and since Thanksgiving is coming up I bet you’re getting ready for some pumpkin pie. All good ways to use that magnificent fruit- but actually only a handful of ways that you can get your season’s worth of pumpkin! Keep reading for some other fabulous ways to make the most of pumpkin season!

1. Pumpkin soup:

You can use pumpkin in sweet or savory dishes, and you can’t really get more “fall” than pumpkin soup. It’s so easy, too! Try this tasty and quick recipe.

2. Pumpkin seeds:

Don’t throw out the seeds- they’re delicious and packed with nutrition! Here are easy, step-by-step instructions for roasting them- they’re great to sprinkle on a salad, soup, or munch as a snack.

3. Pumkin muffins:

Muffins are easy to whip up and appropriate to enjoy any time- and kids love them! Here’s a recipe for killer pumpkin muffins.

4. Face mask:

Pumpkin is full of healthy skin vitamins, like A, E, and C. Try nourishing your skin with a homemade pumpkin face mask. Just mix pureed pumpkin with some sugar and apply to your face for 10-20 minutes. Nourish and exfoliate!

5. Smoothie:

Add some pumpkin to a smoothie for a kick of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.

6. Cocktail:

Celebrate the season with a pumpkin cocktail! Mix some pumpkin puree with vodka and spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Add a little maple syrup for sweetness.

7. Hummus:

Add pumpkin puree to store bought or homemade hummus for a pop of color and seasonal flavor.

8. Table decorating:

Use pumpkins in different sizes to decorate you fall tablescape. You can even hollow out a pumpkin to use as a vase.

9. Serving bowls:

Hollow out small pumpkins to be individual soup bowls. A larger pumpkin makes a nice fall tureen.

10. Compost:

Over ripe or extra pumpkins don’t have to go to waste- just use as compost. Win-win!

How do you like to use pumpkins? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

The post 10 Ways to Use Pumpkin This Fall appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

If you think that bleach is just for cleaning your white laundry, you’re not alone. And if that’t the only way you want to use it, that’s okay, but also sad, because you’d be missing out on so many of the other really smart ways you can make bleach work for you. Try some of these out and you’ll think of bleach as more of an all-purpose household item, rather than a one-use wonder. Keep reading to learn the smart ways to use bleach.

1. Keep whites white and bright:

White and bright white clothes and linens just look clean and fresh, and bleach in the wash is the best way to make that happen.

2. Fresh flowers:

Keep fresh flowers for longer by adding 1/4 teaspoon of bleach per quart of water in the vase.

3. Remove mold:

Make a mixture of equal parts bleach and water in a spray bottle and spray on moldy areas. Let it sit for a while, scrub, and rinse.

4. Clean toilets:

Kill germs and get your toilets to sparkle by cleaning with bleach. Flush, pour in 3/4 cup of bleach and scrub with a toilet brush. Leave it for 10 minutes and flush again.

5. Sanitize toys:

Deep clean your kids plastic toys from time to time. Add 1/2 bleach to one gallon of water. Let the toys soak for five minutes and rinse well.

6. Clean cutting boards:

Disinfecting cutting boards is an important food safety task. Dilute bleach in water, scrub, and rinse.

7. Litter box:

Eliminate litter box odors by killing germs. Empty the litter box and wash with soap and water. Wipe with a bleach solution and wait 5 minutes before rinsing.

8. Doorknobs:

I bet you never thought about all the bacteria and viruses that live on a doorknob! Wipe doorknobs with bleach at least once a week.

9. Trash cans:

Get rid of odor and germs by cleaning trash cans with bleach.

10. Emergency kit:

Keep a bottle of bleach in your emergency kit because it’s perfect for sanitizing things in case of emergency.

11. Clean the washing machine:

Run a no laundry cycle with 2 cups of bleach on the hottest cycle.

12. Clothing designs:

You never want to drop bleach on your clothes by accident, but if you do it on purpose you can create all kinds of cool designs!

How do you use bleach? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Music is comforting, soothing, exciting, energizing, uplifting, and so many other things. And it can do different things for the same person at different times. I can’t imagine life without music- until I want something else, which is where I come right out and say that I think I’ve become a podcast junkie. And while I’m being honest here, I might as well admit that I’m sort of addicted to Instagram stories, too.

My point is that there’s always something to listen to and since I listen to so many things, I’ve come to realize that it’s so much better to listen with headphones. Really! Here are some reasons that headphones are so fabulous:

1. Sound quality:

There’s probably no speaker that gives you the sound quality you get with headphones. If you’re listening to something, it might as well sound the best it could!

2. Privacy:

Sometimes you don’t want to broadcast what you’re listening to to everyone around you. With headphones no one else can hear, so no one can make fun of your choice of music or judge you on your podcast topics.

3. They look cool:

Let’s be honest: when you wear a cool set of headphones you look cool! Beats headphones look cool already and they come in great colors that just up the coolness factor. You know you want a set, so click on the link to apply to be a Beats product tester! If selected, product testers get FREE headphones to try out AND those that provide original reviews may keep the test product (other rules may apply).

 4. Fewer interruptions:

When you’re wearing headphones, it’s obvious that you’re busy, so people will think before they try to get your attention. This is great for when you’re trying to get some work done, or you just want to relax without anyone bothering you.

5. Block outside noise:

With headphones you can block out whatever’s going on around you and just focus on what you’re listening to.

6. Meditation:

When you’re doing a guided meditation or relaxation, you’ll do so much better when you use headphones rather than your phone’s speaker. The sound goes directly into your ear and it really has a stronger impact. Try it and see the difference.

If you are selected to be a product tester, you will be sent a free product, no purchase necessary. The person with the most original review may keep the test product. The most original review will then be published on their site. Reviewers are selected every quarter and if selected, you will be contacted by them via phone or email to receive your test product. Product and company names are the trademarks™ or are the registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

What do you love about headphones? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

The post 6 Reasons Headphones Are Great appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

Helpful kids become helpful adults, and it starts with us as parents. Teach them responsibility by asking them to help our around the house; it will teach them life skills- and it doesn’t hurt that we get s little help in the bargain!

1. Set time limits:

If you ask kids to do a chore they’ll groan because they think it will take forever and they’ll never be able to have fun again. You can help them see that it’s not so hard by telling them how long it will take, or better yet- setting a timer so they know when they’ll be able to stop.

2. Be involved:

Use chore time as an opportunity to do something with your kids. Tackle a job together and teach them about teamwork.

3. Give rewards:

Rewards are a great way to celebrate accomplishment and work to also provide motivation for kids to do things you ask them to do.

4. Praise:

Make your kids feel good about helping and about their work by praising and complimenting.

5. Don’t expect perfect:

This is not the time for perfection- the goal is to teach your kids to help and to get some work off your plate, and it’s important to remember that.

6. Make it age appropriate:

When you ask your kids to help, make sure that what you’re asking them to do is something they are capable of, and of course, consider age appropriate safety.

7. Make it fun:

Play music, dance, make it an infomercial, or anything that makes it fun for the kids.

8. Restrict screens:

If you want the kids to help out and do certain chores, ban time on devices until after the work is done.

9. Be consistent:

Let your kids know what you expect from them, and try to keep it consistent so they know what to expect. This can also help them learn a sense of responsibility.

How do you teach your kids to help? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

The post How to Get Your Kids to Help appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

Yes, I do realize that the title of this post is a little silly- I mean, who needs to read a list of reasons to love chocolate? Doesn’t everyone just naturally love chocolate? Well, today is National Chocolate Day, and singing the praises of chocolate just seems like an appropriate way to honor this delicious treat. We all know that chocolate tastes good and that it makes us think of holidays and celebrations, but there’s always a bit of guilt around enjoying it because- well, because anything that tastes so good and decadence just has to be a guilty pleasure, right? Wrong! Chocolate is one of those things that make us happy, and is also good for us! Of course, all in moderation, since chocolate can also be high in fat and sugar, but still! But when you allow yourself to savor the delicious flavor of chocolate and feel good about it, too, you don’t even really need all that much anyway. Check out some of these healthy reasons to love chocolate:

1. Antioxidants:

Chocolate is one of the best sources of antioxidants, which bump your immune system and counteract cell damage that can lead to debilitating diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

2. Reduce stress:

You already know that eating chocolate makes you feel happy and there’s a reason for that: components of chocolate work with brain receptors to help you relax. Comfort food, anyone?

3. Heart health:

The anti-inflammatory effects of chocolate keep your heart healthy.

4. Brain function:

Chocolate contains compounds called flavonols which improve blood circulation throughout the body and brain.

5. Cholesterol:

Eating chocolate can help control your cholesterol by helping to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. It also helps with blood pressure.

6. Prevent strokes:

Chocolate can help reduce the risk of stroke, as well as the risk of dying from a stroke.

7. Boost your workout:

Eating chocolate before a workout can give you more energy and allow you to work out longer.

8. Lose weight:

Sounds too good to be true, I know, but scientists believe that letting a piece of chocolate melt on your tongue 20 minutes before a meal will trigger hormones that help you feel satisfied. This way you’ll be less likely to overeat.

9. Skin:

It’s those flavonols again, working to protect your skin from UV rays and sun damage. You’ll still need sunblock, though.

What do you do to stay sane? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

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