Category: Popular Thrifty Tips

Orlando, Washington, Charlotte, New York, and Atlanta.

You probably know a lot about these cities, individually. But with that single sentence, you’re most likely wondering “Why the grouping?”

The simple answer: Couponing!

In a CNBC article, it showed that these five cities are the top when it comes to frugal living. And frugal it is, what with each person saving more than $200. New Yorkers who used coupons top the list in amount saved, at a whopping $476!

This shows just how they’re worth every second you download or cut them out.

And this how to coupon for beginners guide we’ve come up with will show you how it’s done. Time to get all those pennies and dollars saved!

1. How to Coupon for Beginners Starts with Knowing Where to Start

First things first: Know where you can get those coupons.

You don’t have to look hard and long, seeing as there are just so many sites you can obtain them from. After all, the value of distributed consumer packed goods coupons total to a $470 billion in the U.S. alone!

Just do a quick Google search using the keyword “coupons” and you’ll get 141 million results in less than a second. That’s how popular these money-savers are, and how easy you’ll find them to access.

Going traditional is a great way to start though. Start with your newspapers and magazines. These are some of the best sources of coupons. Especially the papers with the most extensive circulation or coverage.

From here, you can go around and ask your non-coupon-using family and friends for their copies of the papers and mags. So long as they’ll just put these up for recycling after reading, they’ll be more than happy for you to put them to better use.

And there’s the World Wide Web of course. Just check out these Enfamil coupons Walmart accepts. With that $5 discount for a price of less than $5, that makes it almost free. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that?

Here’s a how to coupon for beginners reminder though:

If the store you want to use the coupons for don’t have at least five products you’re looking for, save the coupons for next time. It’ll be just a bother, not to mention waste of time, effort, and gas if you can only get a couple of products in one go.

2. Start Organizing

All those cut outs can quickly turn into a disastrous mess. So, before you start cutting them into itsy bitsy pieces, get yourself an organizing kit. It can be envelopes, folders, or binders.

The important thing is, organize them depending on how you usually work things out. For instance, it’s a good idea to color code them based on their use.

Check out this more in-depth how to coupon for beginners tip on color-coding:

• Use a green folder or binder for discount coupons on vegetables and other produce
• Red for meat and poultry
• White for household cleaning solutions, detergents, dishwashers, etc.
• Yellow for tools and DIY supplies

These are just examples, but feel free to use them or base your own strategies on them. They’ll all boil down to helping you save time and energy once you’re at the store.

3. Compare Discount Rates

Just because you’ll already get discounts from them doesn’t mean they’ll all give you the same amount of savings. You still have to do a bit of research to figure out which coupons offer the biggest money-saving deal.

So, take the time to compare the deals each coupon offers. Also, make sure to check out the stores themselves carrying the products you want to get.

This way, you can find out if the store has its own promotion. And if it has a better deal, then you can save up the coupon for your next hugely-discounted shopping expedition.

4. Matchmaking Time

Here’s a must-remember how to coupon for beginners trick: Learn the art and science of coupon matchups!

Sometimes, there are items you can use multiple coupons on. By matching these up, you’re on your way to getting even more savings. A few examples of stores that allow this coupon matchmaking technique are Walmart, While Foods, Walgreens, Target, and Rite Aid among many others.

Since you’re most likely doing your shopping in one go, it’s best you plan for the matchups a few days before. It takes time to determine which coupons match with what, but the huge savings you’ll get is definitely worth the time.

5. Focus on Your Needs

Coupons are definitely some of the most ingenious money-saving inventions for consumers. However, incorrect use can lead to you spending more than your initial goal.

As a newcomer to the world of couponing, a problem you most likely will encounter is sorting through all the rubble of coupons you may not need. Especially those that will make you spend more despite your goal of actually pinching pennies.

So, a how to coupon for beginners you should never forget is to prioritize clipping for items you have the greatest need for. And it starts with figuring out what exactly you need right away.

Perhaps you need children’s milk, such as Enfamil, for your kids. Or maybe you’re low on household supplies, like detergents, bath soaps, dishwashing liquids, etc. Whichever the case is, it’s a good idea to check your pantry and supply storage to find out what you’re lacking or low on supply in.

And from there, focus your coupon search on just these items.

6. Make a List

Making a “To-Do List” is crucial to productivity. It lets you organize and prioritize your tasks. Following this list then results not just in timely completion of your tasks, but better output too.

The same applies to couponing. When you create a list of items you need based on your needs’ urgency, you’ll have an easier time finding coupons and getting those that give you the greatest savings.

In addition, you can use the same list when you do the shopping itself, as it lets you avoid the pitfalls of the aisles. Not having a list puts you at risk of forgetting your main goal, not to mention the possibility of impulse buying.

So, before you head out to your next extreme couponing adventure, don’t forget this list. It can make a huge difference in your expedition’s success, as well as your wallet’s thickness.

Want More Money-Saving Tips?

Looking for more advice on thrifty living and saving money? We’ve got you covered!

Go and explore our blog site for more great life hacks to save money while still living comfortably.

Somewhere between 40 and 50 percent of the people who get married in the U.S. end up getting divorced at some point. Many of them go on to date other people once their divorces are finalized.

Dating after divorce can be difficult to do, though, especially if you were married for a long time. So if you’re planning on getting back out there in the dating world following a divorce, there are some things you should do to prepare yourself for it.

Here are 10 things to keep in mind for your first date after divorce.

1. Make Sure You’re Ready to Start Dating Again

The first thing you should do before dating after divorce is take a good, long look in the mirror and decide if you’re definitely ready to date again.

There are some people who try to rush right back into the dating world following a divorce. And often times, they’re simply not ready for everything that comes along with trying to find a connection with a new person.

There is no set time as far as when you’ll be ready to date again. But you shouldn’t feel pressured to dive headfirst into dating if you don’t think you’re 100 percent prepared for it.

2. Find the Right Person for Your First Date

If you decide that you’re ready to tackle divorced dating, the next step will be to find the right person to go out on a date with you. The last thing you want is for your first post-divorce date to be awful because you chose the wrong person to go on it with.

It’s impossible to eliminate all the risk associated with trying to find a date. But you can do it by asking friends or family members to hook you up with someone who might be right for you.

That doesn’t mean you have to try and land Prince Charming on your first attempt at dating. But it does mean you should be a little selective and choose someone who, at least in theory, could be compatible with you.

3. Talk to Your Kids About Your Date Before It Happens

If you have kids, dating after divorce can be especially tricky. You may have gone to great lengths to help your children cope with the divorce itself, but dating someone else is a whole new ballgame.

If you intend to start dating again, sit down with your kids and explain to them why you want to date. They’ll be a lot more open to it when you talk to them about your intentions.

4. Use Your Date as an Excuse to Pamper Yourself

One of the best parts about dating after divorce is that it gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself.

You can go out and get your hair and nails done for your date and not feel bad about doing it. You can also treat yourself to a massage or a facial so that you feel your best when your date picks you up.

5. Dress Your Best for Your Date

If it’s been years since your last official date, you might not know exactly what to wear. Dating attire has gotten a lot more casual than it used to be in many instances.

Don’t let this deter you from dressing your best for your date. You should already be planning on getting your hair and nails done, so why not complete the look by putting on a dress that makes you look fabulous?

6. Pick a Place Where You’ll Feel Comfortable for Your Date

As your first date after divorce inches closer, you’re probably going to start feeling nervous. Those nerves are only going to grow in intensity over time.

Take some of the pressure that you’re feeling off yourself by picking a place for your date where you’ll feel the most comfortable.

That might mean choosing a more relaxed restaurant that will allow you to get to know someone while surrounded by a bunch of other people. It might also mean going to a movie where you won’t have to spend two hours talking to someone you don’t know.

Pick a place where you know you’ll be at ease. It’ll allow you to enjoy your date rather than feeling like you’re on pins and needles all night long.

7. Come Up With Icebreaker Questions to Ask

Some people don’t have any problem sitting down and asking questions to someone they don’t know. If you fall into that category, you probably don’t need to spend much time thinking about questions to ask prior to a first date.

But if you’re the type of person who doesn’t know what to ask on a date, come up with some sample questions beforehand. These questions might include:

• “Where did you go to college?”
• “What do you do for work?”
• “What kinds of things do you enjoy doing on the weekend?”
• “Who is your favorite NFL team?”
• “What’s the last really good book you read?”

You might even consider sitting down with a friend and giving your icebreaker questions a test run. You could find that it’s not as hard as you think to carry on a free-flowing conversation with someone when you have questions in mind.

8. Be Open to Talking About Yourself

When you’re on a first date, you don’t necessarily want to dominate the conversation. But you do want to prepare to talk about yourself for at least part of the date.

Think about the things that you’re comfortable sharing on a first date as well as the things that you would rather keep to yourself. It’ll allow you to open up to your date without going too overboard.

9. Avoid Talking About Your Divorce

If you’ve been divorced for a few years now, your divorce might not even come up in the course of a conversation on a first date.

But if your divorce is still a relatively new thing, you might be tempted to bring it up on your first date. Try not to do it!

You could give your date the impression that you’re not over your divorce. You could also drudge up feelings of anger and frustration and bring them into your date.

You can casually mention that you’re divorced at some point and let your date know you have kids if you’d like. But don’t get too much deeper than that on a first date.

10. Try Not to Expect Too Much From Your First Date

No matter how good a first date might go, remember: It’s only a first date!

When dating after divorce, there are some people who scare off their dates by trying to get too serious too quickly. It’s best to take things slow and allow them to develop over time rather than rushing right into a relationship.

If you have a great time on a first date and you would like to go on a second date, send signs that make that clear. By simply letting someone know you enjoyed their company, you’ll put a second date on the table and give them the chance to make the next move.

Dating After Divorce Can Be a Rewarding Experience

Initially, dating after divorce can be very overwhelming. It’s not easy to go from being married to dating again.

But once you’ve been on a few dates, you’ll enjoy the connections that you make with new people. You’ll also increase your chances of finding someone that you want to get to know better.

Read our blog for additional tips on dating, being a better mother, running your household more effectively, and more.

Ginseng is an herb that people have used for centuries for its many health benefits. It is very popular in the United States and worldwide for treating headaches, premature aging, stress, digestive problems, and more.

The plant can be used in a variety of ways. You can use the roots to make tea. Or You can buy it in powdered form or as a supplement.

Anecdotal evidence shows ginseng can help boost your immune system and help with chronic fatigue and insomnia. Researchers are studying the herb for its effect on cancer cells.

For centuries, people have used ginseng as a natural way to treat many health problems. Let’s take a look at 10 proven health benefits of using ginseng.

Increase Your Energy Level

People have long used ginseng to fight fatigue and boost their energy levels. It helps your body use oxygen efficiently during physical activity.

Many scientists believe it helps regulate metabolism which results in increased energy levels. It’s an energy amplifier.

Many people feel it enhances their mental activity and helps them think clearly. Instead of coffee, soft drinks, or energy drinks, try ginseng to get you through a long day at work.

Hsu’s Ginseng is a good choice. It will enhance your energy without the side effects of caffeine.

Enhances Cognitive Ability

The sharper your thinking, the better you perform in your daily life. Drinking coffee or energy drinks may offer a temporary boost, but the effects do not last.

The antioxidants in ginseng enhance cognitive function and improve focus and concentration. If you find yourself tiring mentally during the day, some ginseng tea or a supplement may be for you.

Helps With Type 2 Diabetes

Although there isn’t a cure for Type 2 Diabetes, studies show that the Ginseng plant is helpful in reducing the harmful effects of the disease. It helps lower blood sugar levels in those with diabetes.

This doesn’t mean you won’t need your diabetes medication. Ginseng, along with your medication, may prevent sudden fluctuations in your sugar levels.

If you have diabetes, ask your doctor about adding ginseng to your health routine.

Helps With Weight Control

Ginseng is a natural appetite suppressant. Taking it on a regular basis is good for your metabolism and will gradually help you eat less.

Going on starvation diets can damage your health and your metabolism over time. And diet pills are dangerous and have serious side effects.

Ginseng works naturally to let you lose weight at a gradual pace. If you are using it as an appetite suppressant, you still need to eat a healthy diet and exercise to lose weight.

You can add this herb to your tea, use it in salads, or incorporate it into your favorite healthy recipes.

Boosts the Immune System

For centuries, people have used ginseng to prevent and treat illnesses. It strengthens the immune system which protects you from viruses and infection.

Studies suggest that this herb may improve the effectiveness of the flu vaccine and help control flu symptoms. You can add two teaspoons of the crushed root to a liter of water to boil for 20 minutes.

Drink 1 glass in the morning and one at lunch for a boost. This is especially helpful when you are sick with the cold or flu.

Improves Sexual Performance

Many consider ginseng to be a strong aphrodisiac that can improve male sexual performance. Some men with erectile dysfunction choose to use the herb instead of prescription medication to treat the problem.

This is not a cure for the problem. You should not stop taking any prescriptions without talking to your doctor.

But if a ginseng supplement can help improve your libido or improve your symptoms, it may be worth a try.

Reduces Anxiety

Ginseng is a natural stress reliever. Many people suffer from anxiety on a daily basis but do not want to take addictive medications to control it.

For some, this herb offers a sense of calm and relief. It also enhances alertness which can help you get through the day with less stress and worry.

It’s a safe and natural herb, so if you suffer from anxiety, it may be what you’re looking for.

Good for Your Skin

Healthy blood flow is essential for healthy skin. Ginseng stimulates blood flow which is great for your skin.

It’s also good for dry skin. Regular use, along with a good skin care routine, helps keep your skin looking fresh and hydrated.

Many women want to use natural products to care for their skin. And using ginseng is an all natural way to improve the appearance and health of your skin.

Helps Lower Blood Pressure

A busy, stress-filled life combined with a poor diet is a recipe for high blood pressure and heart disease. Ginseng may help improve circulation and cardiovascular function.

Although this is a natural herb, if you have a heart condition, you should consult your doctor before taking it. If your doctor gives the okay, you may want to try a ginseng supplement in combination with your prescribed medications.

Possible Cancer Benefits

Ginseng contains natural compounds that may reduce the chances of developing certain cancers. These compounds interfere in the formation of blood vessels in some types of tumors.

This could be helpful in preventing cancer as well as treating it. This is not a cure for cancer.

But researchers are studying the effects of ginseng on prostate and other cancers, and the results are promising.

Live Your Best Life

A healthy lifestyle can enhance your life in many ways. Eating right, exercising, and taking natural supplements like ginseng can lead to better health over time.

Be sure to check out our website and other helpful blogs.

Everyone wants to win the lottery. Some swear by lucky methods, others allow the machines to pick for them. But winning the lotto could change your life, so next time, don’t leave it completely up to chance.

Most countries around the world participate in lotteries, making millionaires of citizens overnight. No matter where you play the lotto, there are a few strategies you can employ to up your chances of becoming the next winner.

While there is no foolproof method for winning, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of winning big or at least earning some extra money.

Read on to help you develop your strategy on how to pick winning lottery numbers.

How to Pick Winning Lottery Numbers: Choose Numbers That Win Most Frequently

Many states will offer free statistics to allow you to see how frequently numbers are chosen. Some numbers get picked more often than others. This may be due to chance, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t get their time to shine more often.

Don’t incorporate the most frequently chosen numbers all at once, however. The odds of all of them being chosen at once is incredibly rare. Instead, focus on one or two most frequently drawn numbers.

Statistics differ for different types of games. The most frequent numbers for Euro Millions, for example, will be different from Powerball, which will, in turn, be different from Mega Millions. Make sure you’re looking at the correct chart before you choose.

Remember, even though numbers get drawn more frequently, each number still has an equal chance of being drawn.

Keep playing the numbers that get drawn the most frequently. Although they may not come up immediately, since they do come up often, over time you will eventually see a win. This may not mean you’ll win the jackpot, but you’ll likely win a consolation prize at some point.

Using the Same Numbers Over and Over

Some people choose numbers based on lucky numbers, significant dates or birthdays of family members. There are stories of individuals who have won after choosing the same numbers for the past 20 years, and finally having their lucky day.

If you frequently buy lottery tickets, purchasing two tickets is advisable when employing this strategy. One ticket should have your “lucky” numbers, while another should have tickets chosen from a different strategy.

You may even repeatedly enter the same set of lucky numbers to double your chances of them coming up eventually.

Choose Numbers That Haven’t Come Up in a While

While all numbers, statistically speaking, have the same chance of coming up, choosing numbers that are overdue can also be a significant strategy.

Using the same statistics, you can tell which numbers come up least often, or which numbers have not come up in years. In some lotteries around the world, statistics state that they haven’t had some numbers come up for over 70 years. That doesn’t mean the number is actually due to come up, or that it ever will, but it is still a strategy some people employ.

The numbers will come up eventually, however. And it might be you who gives them their moment to shine.

Don’t Toss Away Second-Chance Games

Many lotteries offer second chance games. These can be in the form of scratch-off, name draws and a variety of other contests. Some people get annoyed when they don’t win and toss their tickets, which can mean they have actually lost out on a chunk of money.

While you may not win the $300 million jackpot, you might still be in the running for $100,000. While it’s a pittance compared to the jackpot, for many, $100,000 would be a life-changing amount.

Double and Triple Check Your Numbers

Make sure you double and triple check your numbers. This may sound like common sense, but people have thrown out their winning lottery tickets because they misread them. Imagine realizing that weeks later!

Go over each number as carefully as possible, and make sure you’re checking the correct lottery. There are several lotteries that operate at once, and it can get confusing. Double check the name of the game as well.

Enter as Many Games as Possible

As mentioned above, there are many different lotteries going on at one time. You can go to this website to check out what’s going on in the United States. But if you have family that lives abroad, or you’re going abroad, you can also enter the lottery there.

This increases your chances, and also means you have several amounts you can win.

If you do this, you need to be extra vigilant about which numbers you’re checking. Read and re-read the names of the lotteries so you don’t check against the wrong ticket. Again, you don’t want to lose out because you misread it.

If You Find a Ticket Dropped or Thrown Out, Don’t Discard It

They say one man (or woman’s) trash is another man’s treasure. This couldn’t be truer than when it comes to lottery tickets. Often people misread their tickets or check them against the wrong lotto, and then throw their tickets out.

Later, a stranger finds the ticket in the trash or on the ground and it turns out to be their ticket to riches.

If you do find a lottery ticket on the ground or discarded, don’t just leave it. Check it against the lotto it is for and see if you’ve won. You might be a winner without even having to buy a lotto ticket.

Use a Random Number Generator

Although not as exciting, using a random number generator can help you reap rewards. Use Random.org, which is programmed for 280 lotteries all over the world. Simply plug in which lottery you’re looking to win and it will generate the required amount of numbers.

This is probably as statistically sound as any “quick pick” you get when you buy a randomly generated ticket, but many people prefer to use this system. This way, they can see the numbers first, and then approve them before they take them to purchase their lotto ticket.

Buy Lotto Tickets Frequently

Don’t go overboard, or you might go bankrupt while trying to play the lotto. Most people, however, don’t win on their first try. Instead, many play week after week, month after month, and even year after year before they see results.

Continue to enter the lotto as much as possible, if you can afford it. Don’t charge lotto tickets to a credit card if you can’t afford it, as it might not be a profitable pay-off in the end.

You can also ask for lottery tickets for special occasions, such as having them tucked away in birthday cards or for the winter holidays. This will be a cheap gift for someone to purchase for you, in addition to giving you yet another chance to win the game.

Although you may never win the big jackpot, if you continue to play, you’ll likely one day win some money. It might be a few thousand dollars, but that is a better payout than absolutely nothing.

Use the Ticket That Has Performed the Best in the Past

Statistically speaking, there are tickets that have won frequently in the past. There are some numbers that would have garnered someone a few million dollars by now if they had continually played them in every lotto for several years.

Although this strategy is similar to picking lucky numbers, it involves simply finding out which ticket has performed the best in the lotto you’re playing.

Over time, you’re bound to win some money, even if it isn’t the whole $100 million jackpot.

Use Statistics

There are some statistical approaches that work well, and if you learn them, you might be able to increase your chances.

The Delta Method, for example, involves choosing numbers between certain digits, adding them together and randomizing them to create number sequences.

The Wheeling Approach involves purchasing several tickets and using every single combination of one set of numbers. While this method is incredibly popular, it can become expensive relatively quickly. In the UK lottery, for example, any one set of numbers can have as many as 5005 combinations.

While this certainly ups your chances of winning, it also means you’re spending a big chunk of your paycheck on lottery numbers. However, the Wheeling approach is good for those who are going in together as a group and plan to split the winnings in several ways.

Go in As a Group

You can pool money together with coworkers, family or friends and purchase hundreds of lottery combinations. This method, however, involves the promise that you will actually split the money if you win and can cause serious issues among people in the event of a winning ticket.

But, it can be a good method for jackpots that are hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Takeaway

There is no clear answer to the question of how to pick winning lottery numbers. There is no science, as ultimately, it is all up to chance. Winning, though, can change your life if you’re one of the lucky ones that manage it.

Check out our blog for more information on saving money and how to make your paycheck stretch as far as possible.

This quote is simple, but we love it “Improvement begins with I”. Other than being a grammar lesson, this quote reminds us that only we can change ourselves.

But where to start? “I’ll just be a better person” isn’t a plan, it’s a sentence. Find actual ideas you can stick to in our how to better yourself guide below!

How To Better Yourself: The Tips

You don’t need a life coach, tons of money, or hours of free time to complete any of these tips. All you need is some determination, maybe a few phone apps, and a library card.

What are you waiting for? Get started!

Stay Reading

Have you ever heard the saying, “if you don’t use it you lose it”? It’s usually in reference to physical muscles. However, your brain is a muscle too.

Like the rest of your body, it needs a working and reading is the brain’s version of CrossFit. Reading is a simple skill we take for granted, but it takes patience, diligence, and imagination.

If you’re thinking “I’m reading this right now!” you’re not off the hook. When we talk about reading, we mean long-form content with a narrative and complex points.

If you can, always keep a book on you. People used to do this before cell phones and they were never bored. Pick books that teach you how to better yourself and you’ll be a better person page by page.

Learn a New Language

The world is more interconnected than ever and that’s giving people who speak multiple languages more opportunities. Wouldn’t you like to be one of them?

Yes, learning language is a hard skill, but it’s one of the best things you can do to improve yourself. Perhaps even better for your brain than reading, learning a different language grows your brain.

If you commit to this technique how to better yourself, you can expect a better memory and a longer attention span. There are even studies that show people who speak multiple languages live longer (or at least are with it for longer).

When you show yourself that you can improve yourself, it’ll increase your confidence. With easy apps like DuoLingo or Babbel, there’s no excuse not to improve yourself!

Further Your Education

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks, though you shouldn’t refer to yourself as a dog! There is no age limit on learning.

Take it from Amy Craton, who was 94 at the time of her graduation. She went to school in the 60’s but had to stop to support her family through a divorce.

This cool great-grandmother took her education up five decades later and graduated with a 4.0 average. If she doesn’t think it’s too late for self-improvement, neither should you!

Thinking about going back to school or advancing your degree? Start by finding available states with legal studies programs.

To quote this awesome student,”If you’re thinking about going back to school, do it,” she says. “You’ll open up a whole new life.”

Early Bird Is a Better Person

Though this isn’t the official expression, people who get up earlier are more successful and productive. Just ask any self-improvement guru!

There are full movements featuring waking up early. One of our favorites is the Miracle Morning approach by Hal Elrod. He takes 10 minutes 6x in a row (one hour) to get his stuff out of the way.

He journals, does a quick work out, tracks goals, and says his affirmations. You can do these steps for 10 minutes each or as quick as one minute. What’re six minutes out of your day?

Workout

Yes, every self-improvement article there is will mention working out. Moving your body is that important!

You don’t have to chase a carrot on the treadmill though, working out can mean anything that gets your heart pumping. If you have kids, play tag with them!

Set a timer if you’re working up to constant cardio or play freeze tag so you can have breaks in between runs.

If you don’t want to do that, find something that you like to do. That’s the trick to the whole exercise thing. If you like to dance, find a Zumba class and shake your butt and feel silly.

Need an outlet for anger? Find a kickboxing class. Like sports? See if your rec-center has an adult league.

If you view working out as something fun, you’ll be more likely to do it!

Volunteer

Your mom always told you it was better to give than to receive, but who has the time? You do.

Even if it’s one afternoon a week or a month, there’s some organization that could use three hours of free help. If you’re young it’s resume fodder and if you’re grown, it’s money in the karma bank.

Plus (surprise!) it has health benefits. We’re talking mental and physical.

People who volunteer semi-regularly experience

• Less chance of depression
• A sense of purpose and fulfillment
• An increase in self-confidence
• Longer brain-life
• Reduced stress levels
• Dopamine rushes

Do you like to travel? The world-traveler lifestyle can be a tax write off! Look into voluntourism.

On these cross-globe trips, you have a huge range of activity choices. You can help farmers in rural France during the harvest or help marine biologists collect data.

With voluntourism (as long as you have the money to get there) everyone wins!

Start a Journal

Some of us have always been avid journalers, but the way we journal is changing. Traditionalists still prefer good old pen and paper, but keeping a digital journal works too.

You can write anything you want in your journal! Things that make you mad, happy, a play by play of your day – it’s up to you.

Through journaling, you see your weak spots or repetitive things in your life. You pay attention more to patterns or behaviors and teach yourself how to better yourself.

Don’t know where to start? There are plenty of journals that have daily prompts or writing exercises. You can find journal prompts online or find physical copies in the planner section of a bookstore.

We like the bookstore experience best since it allows you to flip through pages and see what you’re buying.

Cancel Meaningless Subscriptions

Subscription boxes are all the rage and it’s fun to get little presents in the mail every so often, but do you really need it? If you’re like us, those things end up accumulating and cluttering up precious space.

We’re not hating on them, it’s nice to have travel sized mascaras for trips, but you don’t need a new one every month!

If you have your payment linked through PayPal, you can go in and see what “Payment agreements” you’re in. Instead of having to remember your login information for random sites you can cancel through PayPal.

Not only will this save you money, but trying this trick makes us feel calmer when looking at our bank statements.

It seems small, but prioritizing your money is why you’re reading this blog, right?

Put the Screens Away

Yes, we said it. You limit your kids’ screen time, so why not your own? Even though your brain isn’t plastic and still-developing, constantly being plugged into devices is harmful.

Without getting into the nitty-gritty (and quite honestly scary) science, too much screen time is reducing your attention span. Depending on how you use it, it can even strain your eyes and give you wrinkles.

How much of a bummer is that?

Sleep experts like Ariana Huffington say to sleep with your phone in another room, but that’s not realistic. Instead, try moving your charger station to your dresser.

Not having your phone within arms reach will reduce the dead-time you look at your phone before falling asleep. At a playdate or waiting for school to get out? Pull that book out of your bag from step one!

Say No to Straws

Don’t have time to volunteer or don’t want to spend the extra money on organic plastic kids toys? You can still make a difference in the environment by saying no to straws.

We’ve been avoiding plastic grocery bags for years, but drinking straws can take just as long to biodegrade. A single, normal restaurant throws away 45,000 straws in one year.

That’s a ton! Plus, it’s adding up in our oceans and on our beaches. Approximately 90% of marine life has ingested plastic of some kind.

Want something to drive this point home? Google “Straw stuck in turtle” for a quick dose of heartbreak.

Now that you’re on board, tell your server you don’t need straws when they take your drink order.

Meditate

If any of the tips on this list are beneficial, meditation’s benefits lap them all. Why else would people still be doing it after thousands of years?

Want to know how to improve yourself through meditation? Get an app like Stop, Breathe, Think (free in app stores). This app and others like it have guided meditations the perfect lengths for beginners.

Say Yes to Self Improvement

Now that you’ve read this article there’s only one thing that determines if you’re going to improve yourself. Actually using one of these tips!

Getting ideas is great, but action speaks louder than words. Pick two things off of this list, something you can do right now and a longer-term option.

Knowing how to better yourself is a skill and we’ve just given you the cliff notes. Go out and be great!