Category: Frugal Living Tips

Do your friends all think you’re living the dream?

“You, work from home?”, they exclaim. “That must be amazing!”.

Approximately 8 million Americans work from home, and the numbers are continuing to rise. While working remotely comes with a ton of perks, it also comes with a world of distractions. 

Family members, adorable pets, and the internet are always there, waiting to pull you away. In order to be successful, you have to become a master at staying on task.

Unfortunately, in the process of staying in the zone, many health habits go out the window. Do you want to find the perfect healthy balance between work and life?

Read on to learn 5 life-changing tips for working at home, healthy style.

1. Nutritional Health Habits

Does this sound like you? You wake up, don’t feel hungry, and get right to work. Lunch rolls around, and you eat a small snack. Finally by dinner time you’re famished, ready to eat everything in sight?

Prevent overeating by doing a meal prep the night before. Make sure your diet still includes the foods you like to eat. If you love cheese, or other fatty foods, allow yourself to include them in moderation.

2. Posture Yourself

Maintaining proper posture helps prevent your body from any strains or overuse issues. Here are a few tips for how to sit correctly.

• Sit up with a straight back
• Shoulders back
• Buttocks are able to touch the chair’s back

Finally, move your body around in your chair every 30 minutes. Slightly repositions how you’re sitting so you don’t fatigue the muscles.

3. Create Zones

Ever have trouble turning your brain off after a long day of work? How about trouble turning it on? Your mind works best when it has designated zones for certain activities.

The American Sleep Association, or ASA, states you shouldn’t read or eat in bed. Your brain creates associations to the activity of eating, or reading, and decides beds aren’t for sleeping anymore.

If your bedroom is your home office, make sure you’re working somewhere away from the bed. Even if you’re facing away from the bed, it’ll help your brain associate the designated area with work time.

4. Schedule Some You Time

Create a morning routine where you’ll have some you time. Ladies, if you like putting on makeup, take the time to put on the things you like.

Guys, if you enjoy wearing a business casual attire, go ahead and put it on. Just because you’re not going into the office, doesn’t mean you can’t dress the part.

5. Learn to Microbreak

As counterintuitive as it may sound, planned distractions can help you focus. Set an alarm to take a micro break every hour.

The micro break only has to be a couple of minutes long. Create motion, move your body around, and step away from the computer screen. When you return to work you’ll have an enhanced level of focus.

Work-Life Balance

Try to think of some health habits that only pertain to you personally. Do you want to find ways to be happier throughout the day? One of the healthy habits you incorporate could be saying positive affirmations.

Also, make sure you’re investing in your relationships outside of work. If you have a family, find time during the week to do fun things with them. Don’t worry, you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg to have a good time.

Thrifty Momma Ramblings loves to help our readers find the best deals out there. We have coupons, sweepstakes, giveaways, and more!

Feel like treating yourself to something free? Check out our delicious freebie for an entree at Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Struggling with drug or alcohol abuse?

It’s easy to lose control of your life due to addiction, so you have to check yourself if you have a habit you feel you can’t control. Take a look at these five signs it might be time for you to go to rehab.

1. Lack of Control and Withdrawal Symptoms

You should start worrying if you have tried to quit your habit and experienced withdrawal. Different addictions cause different withdrawal symptoms, but all have one thing in common.

All addictions become harder and harder to control. In addition to the lack of control, other common symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Muscle cramps
• Irritability
• Mood swings

If you feel unable to quit your habit because it brings about withdrawal symptoms, it is time to check yourself into rehab.

2. You are Neglecting Your Social and Family Life

Addiction brings about physical as well as psychological changes. These psychological changes can make your whole life revolve around your addiction, and this can affect your social and family life.

If you find yourself lying about your habits and withdrawing from your social circles because of your addiction, it is time to consider rehab. The more you let your addiction unchecked, the more your social life will be affected.

3. You’ve Put Yourself or Others in Danger Because of your Addiction

Have you harmed yourself or others because of your addiction? If the answer is yes, you should consider checking into rehab as soon as possible.

Driving under the influence is a federal offense that might cause serious harm to you and others. Moreover, many drugs will aggravate certain health conditions, which may lead to serious health problems.

For example, many psychoactive drugs will increase the symptoms of mental illnesses, including depression. This can cause suicidal thoughts. Needless to say, get help straight away if you experience suicidal thoughts.

4. Your Habits Affect Your Health

If your addiction affects your health directly, seek help as soon as possible. It may start slow, by neglecting your hygiene routine or forgetting to take your medication.

Addiction can cause you to neglect health problems that could have been prevented otherwise.

Most addictions directly affect your physical balance too. Thankfully, there are ways to counter that. Read more about Suboxone treatment and similar methods at Inspire Malibu.

5. You Don’t Feel Like Yourself Anymore

Finally, stop for a second and look yourself in the mirror. Do you recognize the person looking back? If your addiction is making you feel like you’re not yourself anymore, it’s time to check yourself into rehab.

If you know you need a change but have no idea how to do it, then you need help. This is perhaps the most profound sign of addiction, so please don’t ignore it!

Go to Rehab and Improve Your Life with Thrifty Momma’s Tips!

Now that you know if you should go to rehab, it’s time to plan your life ahead. Here at Thrifty Momma Ramblings, we’ll help you live thriftily, find the best deals, and earn extra money while improving your lifestyle.

 Come on in and start planning your new, addiction-free life today!

America spends over $111 billion on the dentist every year. Your individual contribution to that number comes out to an average of nearly $700. 

Depending on the type of dental operation you need, that number can add up quick. 

Don’t have that kind of money? Don’t worry?

Keep reading to learn five dental care tips that’ll help you avoid costly visits to the dentist. 

1. Brush Your Teeth, But Brush Them Right

Brushing your teeth won’t do you much good if you’re doing it the wrong way. 

Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day. You should do this soon after you eat, such as after breakfast or dinner. And don’t let your toothbrush get too old. Buy a new one every three to four months. 

When you brush, make sure you get the outside surface of the teeth, the inside surface of the teeth, and the chewing surface of the teeth. Move your brush back and forth over the teeth in gentle strokes, and swipe down from the gums to remove any plaque that gets caught there. 

2. Don’t Be Afraid of Flouride 

You should always brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride isn’t dangerous unless you ingest a very high amount. Instead, fluoride can benefit your teeth in a number of ways. 

For example, it can help prevent the development of cavities. It can also help with dry mouth conditions and gum disease. 

However, fluoride can be dangerous for young children. So make sure you know how much to give them and when. 

3. Floss Every Day

While you don’t have to floss as often as you brush your teeth, you should do it at least once a day. 

If you skip flossing, you’re leaving pieces of food, plaque, and bacteria between your teeth. This can increase your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. 

On top of all that, it can also make your teeth look yellower and less healthy, which can lower your self-esteem. 

4. Watch What You Eat

If you want to avoid costly trips to the dentist, you should watch what types of food you eat on a daily basis. Things like sugary candies, carbonated drinks, and citrus can all weaken and damage your teeth. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t ever eat these things. 

But make them special treats instead. And make sure you brush your teeth carefully after you eat them. 

5. Get Professional Teeth Cleaning 

One of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy is to get your teeth professionally cleaned when you can. Try to do this at least twice a year (which most insurances will cover). 

Not sure where to look for these services?

You can start by checking out Affinity Dental Group at https://affinitydental.net/. They provide cleaning and prevention treatments. 

Dental Care Tips That’ll Help You Avoid Costly Operations at the Dentist

If you can’t afford a trip to the dentist any time soon, make sure you follow these dental care tips that’ll save you from costly operations. 

But no matter how careful you are, sometimes there’s no way around dental treatments. 

If that’s you right now, make sure you take a look at this guide to learn how you can save money on a dental implant. 

More than 78 percent of full-time workers live paycheck to paycheck. And if you’re one of them, you’re always looking for ways to save money or make a little extra to pay the bills.

You don’t have time for another job. So, where do you start? Well, you can start by selling items around the house that you don’t need anymore!

You’ll declutter your home AND have a little extra money for your expenses!

And nothing is easier to sell than used jewelry. If you’ve never done it before, don’t panic.

We’ve put together a simple guide to selling used jewelry that will take the stress out of the process.

Take Your Time

There’s more to the value of a piece of jewelry than how much you’ll get when you sell it. Most pieces have emotional and sentimental value in addition to monetary value.

And just because you’re ready to sell in theory doesn’t mean you won’t regret the decision.

Take your time and make sure you’re ready. Inspect each piece and see if the sentimental value matters more to you than what you could get for it.

If it does, don’t sell the piece. Remember, once you sell it, getting your jewelry back is almost impossible.

Look at the Condition

It’s normal for most used jewelry to show signs of wear. And the more you wore an item, the more it’ll show. This impacts the selling price.

Before you decide on what to sell and how to sell it, inspect each item.

Look for loose stone settings, scratches, missing stones, and other issues. If everything looks like-new or in good condition, you’re ready to sell. If not, be ready to sell the pieces at a lower price or pay for repairs before selling them.

Clean Each Piece

Clean jewelry catches the light and looks nicer right from the start. The nicer it looks, the better price you’ll get.

Give each piece a good cleaning with a metal-specific cleaner. If the jewelry has precious stones in it, make sure the cleaner is safe for them.

If you use the wrong solution, you could damage the stone and make them lose their luster. For fragile items, warm water and a bit of dish soap can work wonders.

Let the piece sit for a few minutes and use a soft scrub brush to scrub the dirt away. For smaller pieces or detail work, use a toothbrush.

If this feels too daunting, consider taking your jewelry to a local jeweler and let them clean it. They’ll be able to get rid of all the dirt and buildup quickly, leaving the jewelry looking like new.

Get a Formal Appraisal

Any jeweler can give you an estimated value for your jewelry. They look at the types of metal, the stones, and the condition to determine the value.

Use this estimate to guide you in your sales. Remember, if you’re selling to a pawn shop or other retail outlet, you won’t get the appraisal value. They need to make money, too.

If you sell privately, use the value to set the price.

Be Realistic

Remember, the value you give to an item may not be what it’s actually worth. And it’s best not to get your hopes up.

Go into the appraisal with an open mind and listen to their explanations. If you don’t agree with them, take the jewelry to another expert and get a second opinion. But no matter what, understand it may not be worth as much as you think.

Decide How You Want to Sell

Once the pieces are ready and clean, you need to figure out how to sell them. If you’re looking for fast cash, a pawn shop is a great option. They’ll give you cash up front.

But pawn shops often offer a lower price. This is because they have a lot of overhead and rarely sell items for full price to new buyers.

If you’re selling used jewelry to declutter your house and aren’t looking to make money immediately, consider selling to a jeweler or listing it for sale online. You’ll get a better price, but you will have to wait until a buyer comes around.

But what should you do if you have some incredibly valuable jewelry? Consider putting it up for auction.

At auctions, you’re free to set a minimum purchase price. If no one bids above that amount, you keep the jewelry and can try again. Keep in mind that all auctions charge a fee based on the purchase price.

There’s Hope for Damaged Pieces

Not all jewelry is in good enough condition to sell to a shop or a private party. But that doesn’t mean you can’t sell it.

There are tons of places that buy jewelry for the metal or stones. They don’t care if the piece is in good wearable condition.

But you’ll want to do some research before selling. Look into the current market gold and silver price. If it’s high enough for your needs, reach out to those companies.

They’ll melt down the jewelry and give you money based on the amount of pure metal they extract.

Most services do this through the mail, so you will have to wait for them to process your order and issue your payment. But they’ll accept your gold and silver jewelry no matter what condition it’s in.

Selling Used Jewelry Is Easier Than You Think

Selling used jewelry doesn’t have to be a tough process. As long as you research the jewelers and stores in your area and take the time to get each piece ready, you’ll get a fair price.

But there’s always more you can do to save money and make more on the side. Check out our latest posts for more helpful tips on increasing your income month after month.

According to one survey, experts discovered that 8 in 10 adults said that fixing and straightening their teeth was one of the best treatments that they could’ve had. 

Many adults would like to straighten their teeth but don’t want to go through the embarrassment of metal braces. But they also can’t afford Invisalign. 

Invisalign help fix your teeth without the ugliness of braces. But the Invisalign cost can get pretty steep. Here’s what to expect and how to save.

Average Invisalign Cost

On average, the Invisalign cost can be anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000. This can depend on all kinds of different factors, like which orthodontist you choose, your insurance plan, and how crooked your teeth are. 

It is not recommended that you try to find a cheaper brand because it may not be made correctly and may end up causing damage to your teeth in the long run. 

There are so many advantages to Invisalgin, so we have some tips for you on how to afford them. 

Find the Right Orthodontist

This is one of the most important steps when it comes to saving money on your Invisalign. 

Different orthodontists will charge different prices, so make sure you go to several in your area and see which ones will offer you the best price. Ask them what treatments they have in mind, and how long they expect those treatments to take. The longer you have to wear Invisalign, the more you will end up paying. 

When choosing an orthodontist, make sure that you are actually choosing an orthodontist and not just a general dentist. A general dentist will most likely end up charging you more because that is not their main focus.  

While you are at the orthodontist, look around and see if you see the Invisalign logo anywhere in the office. You want to make sure that the treatment you will be getting is Invisalign and not an off brand.

Follow Your Orthodontist’s Instructions

Throughout your treatment, your orthodontist will give you specific instructions you need to follow. This may include wearing your braces for up to 22 hours a day and making adjustments and going to all appointments scheduled.

If you follow your orthodontist’s instructions, your treatment won’t be prolonged which means that you won’t end up spending more money.  

Review Your Insurance

Sometimes your dental or health insurance will include an option that will help cover some of your Invisalign cost. 

You may still have a copay and have to help some of it, but this could help reduce some of the amount you have to pay. 

Ask About Flexible Payment Options

Some orthodontist offices offer flexible payment options because they understand that some people aren’t able to afford it. 

With flexible payments, you won’t have to pay all of it upfront but instead will make payments over a fixed amount of time that will be set by your orthodontist. 

Save Money on Dental Hygiene

The Invisalign cost can be expensive, but follow some of these tips that we mentioned and you may be able to finally get the smile you’ve always wanted.

Once your teeth are straight, you want to make sure that you take care of them.

Read this article on ways to save money while also keeping your teeth clean and white.