If you know two things about safaris in Africa, it is that they are incredible and they are expensive.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could plan a trip to Africa that did not cost your life savings? To be able to witness the Great Migration and visit landscapes you have only seen in movies but for less money?

You can! While visiting Africa for safari is rarely cheap, it is possible to do it cheaper. This guide will show you how to visit Africa on a budget.

Choose Somewhere “Off the Beaten Path”

If you are planning an Africa vacation, it goes without saying you want to see the Big Five: the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and African buffalo. As well as all the other animals like zebras and giraffes, of course!

These are the best places in Africa to see those animals:

• South Africa
• Namibia
• Rwanda
• Botswana
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Uganda

You can save yourself some money by avoiding the more popular safari destinations, like South Africa and Kenya. Instead, head to Zimbabwe or Uganda where you can stay in budget lodges like the Kyaninga Lodge.

Where many mid-range safari lodges in South Africa are $1,000 per night, in Uganda, they are closer to $400.

Travel in Low Season

Traveling in the low season may be a deal-breaker for some. If you have “see the Great Migration in the Serengeti” on your bucket list, then you will need to spend more money. The Migration in Tanzania, which happens from June to September, is the high season.

But if you plan a trip to Africa during the low seasons you can still see lots of animals for a fraction of the cost. In East Africa, it is from March to June and October to December.

In Southern Africa, the low season is from May to September when it is winter in the southern hemisphere. There is still plenty to see and things to do in Africa during this time, but it is colder.

Embrace the Outdoors

Many people stay in luxury lodges when they head out on safari. But have you considered camping or glamping? Or chipping in with the cooking to save on costs?

Instead of brick and mortar accommodation, you could opt for bell tents and bush camps. And instead of a private tour, join a group tour and bond over your amazing shared experience.

You can still see the animals and landscapes you came to see with a knowledgeable guide. Plus, you may find you enjoy the back-to-basics more than you thought you would!

Plan a Trip to Africa for Less With These Tips

Do not let the sky-high prices stop you from enjoying the trip of a lifetime. You can still plan a trip to Africa on a budget.

It does take a little research and a little planning. But it will be worth it in the end when you spot a giraffe or a lion for the very first time.

Like this article? Check out our other travel articles for more tips and advice!

Remember the Beanie Baby boom? When Ty first introduced Beanie Babies in the early 90s, everyone thought their collection would be worth a fortune one day — and some of them wound up being right!

While some Beanie Baby value is simply nostalgia, some Beanies became valuable collector’s items. That said, figuring out which of your old Beanies is worth something and getting that money is easier said than done.

Ready to start trading in your Beanie Babies for cash but aren’t sure where to start? Here’s everything you need to know about how to begin buying and selling Beanie Babies.

How to Determine Beanie Baby Value

Did you know that a Ty Princess Diana bear once sold for over $500,000? Well, if that figure alone is the reason why you want to get into buying and selling Beanie Babies, then you’re out of luck because it never happened. While the famous Princess Bear can be one of the more valuable Beanies on the resale market, if you try to sell one now, at most, you’ll probably rake in about $80.

That said, if you manage to find one of the original nine Beanies with a tag misprint, you could be looking at a significantly heftier payout.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about Beanie Baby value, and the only way to combat it is by doing plenty of research and becoming an expert on Beanie resale and by consulting a toy appraiser before listing your Babies for sale.

Keep Your Babies Clean

You may be able to sell a well-loved, tagless, original Pattie the Platypus to someone who’s feeling a bit nostalgic. But, if you want to earn big bucks selling Beanies, you’re going to have to make sure your toys are pristine.

Unfortuabnlty, the best way to ensure you’re Beanie Babies are in “like-new” condition is to travel back to 1997 and pop them all into those handy Beanie Baby display cases that were all the rage. But, until time travel becomes a bit more mainstream, the best you can do is to try to prevent any further damage.

One easy way to keep your Beanie Babies as fresh as possible is by popping them in a Ziploc bag. A Ziploc bag will protect your Babies from dust, water, and unpleasant smells like smoke, which can significantly lower their value.

If you have a few slightly shabby Beanie Baby’s you’re interested in selling to collectors, you may want to consider passing them off to a toy restoration expert first to get them cleaned up and looking their best. But, keep in mind that some purist Beanie connoisseurs may want you to disclose this information before you make a sale.

Find the Right Marketplace

Finally, once you have your Beanie Babies ready to go, all that’s left is to find a place to sell them.

Sites like eBay may seem like the most obvious choice when selling collectibles like Beanie Babies. But, these types of online marketplaces have gained a bit of a bad reputation due to scammers.

If you want to make money selling Beanie Babies on one of these sites, you’re going to have to spend some time building up your reputation first, which can take a while.

The best place to buy Ty Beanies Babies online is specialty sites that cater exclusively to Beanie Baby collectors. Usually, Beanie lovers and experts run these types of sites and will be able to help you navigate the buying and selling process with ease.

Getting the Most Bang for Your Beanies

Once upon a time, people banking on Beanie Baby value was a bit of a joke. But now we know that some of those adorable little plushy, bean-filled animals were actually worth their weight in gold.

Now that you know more about how to begin buying and selling Beanie Babies, it’s time to get to work.

Are you looking for more information on how to get into buying and selling high-value collectibles? We’ve got you covered. Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles today!

Massage therapy has been around for thousands of years, dating back to 3000 BCE in India. It was used during those times to relieve pain, heal injuries, and cure illnesses. 

Massages are still very much prevalent, with many people going to day spas or massage therapists to receive treatment. However, sometimes it can be hard to make an appointment to receive a massage. 

Why wait to book an appointment? Self massages provide as many benefits as one done by a massage therapist. 

In this guide, we’ll go over the benefits of self-massage and techniques you can use when performing one on yourself. 

The Health Benefits of Self Massages 

Massages shouldn’t be something that you get every so often or on a special occasion. Implementing self massages into your daily routine provides your body with countless health and mental benefits. 

Increased Blood Circulation 

Many people suffer from poor circulation and experience cold feet and had, and achiness. As you massage your body, it promotes blood flow in congested areas. The blood flows into these areas, flushing lactic acid from the muscles. 

Detoxification

When your body is massage, you promote the flushing out of toxins and impurities. Eliminating these toxins will help you feel energized. Having too many impurities in your body can lead you to feel uneasy. 

Rejuvenation 

To start your day off right, begin it with a 10-minute self-massage. Energetically massaging your body will revitalize your mind and body. It’s particularly helpful if you’ve been feeling physically or mentally sluggish. 

Taking the time during the beginning of the day to perform a self-massage gives you time to reflect on the day ahead. If you choose to take a slower pace with your massage, it gives you time to focus your mind and breath. You’ll begin your day feeling relaxed and at peace.

Increased Youthfulness

Performing a self-massage promotes lustrous and soft skin. You’ll feel more energetic as your body detoxifies itself, promoting more youthful qualities. You’ll feel increased amounts of joy, vitality, and resilience. 

Relieves Soreness

A self-massage can relieve soreness, tension, and cramping. If you stand on your feet for extended lengths of time, self-massage can provide temporary pain relief and comfort. 

Take Time to Nurture Yourself

During your self-massage time, turn off your inner critic and relax. Massage is one of the best ways to show yourself self-love and care. 

How to Do a Self-Massage

There are a few different ways you can give yourself self-massage. Tools such as foam rollers or pressure point balls can aid you during the process. Using certain self massage-techniques will give you countless benefits. 

When beginning self massages, keep in mind that a few moments of massage is enough for moderate pain/discomfort areas in your body. For more severe pain, massage for a few minutes. Massage any areas where you’re experiencing discomfort at least two times a day. 

When exploring muscles or areas that you feel pain, find the exact spot where you feel the most pain. That’s where you should apply pressure. Start with light pressure and work your way up to more strong pressure. 

After a massage, drink plenty of fluids. You want to flush out any toxins the massage released. Also, stretch out the same area you worked on. 

If you’re still experiencing a lot of pain in your body after performing multiple self massages, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional. Massage therapists, or this local chiropractor, can help you with stubborn areas. 

Self Massage Tools

In addition to foam rollers, nail beds, and lacrosse balls, have a set of massage oils on hand. Certain types of massage oils can provide additional benefits, such as reduced inflammation or muscle recovery. 

Some types of massage oil are:

• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Rosemary

You can also implement a sleep oil into your massage routine if you’re doing it right before bed. 

Foam Rollers

To help increase your range of motion and/or reduce muscle soreness, incorporate a foam roller into your self-massage routine. It’s usually used for the hips and lower back, but you can use it on your upper back and lower legs. When using a foam roller, be cautious around your neck and spine. 

Follow these tips when using a foam roller for self-massage:

• Start with gentle and light pressure when first starting out with a foam roller
• Reduce how much pressure you get from the foam roller by adjusting how much of your body weight you put on it 
• When you find a tender area, slowly roll on it for around 10 seconds
• As you get used to that, increase it to 30 or 60 seconds
• Drink a lot of water post foam roller massage

Nail Beds

Acupressure mats, or nail beds, are drawn from traditional Chinese acupressure. The technique releases your body’s blocked Qi. As the Qi leaves your body, it removes or reduces your amount of pain. 

As you lay on an acupressure mat, the hundreds of plastic points apply pressure to your back. Having pressure on the acupressure points in your body has been shown to reduce pain. Keep in mind to be gentle and careful with an acupressure mat. 

Here are some tips when using an acupressure mat:

• Lay the mat on a sofa or bed to decrease the intensity of the plastic points
• After you’re more comfortable with the mat, you can move it to the floor
• Start by layering a blanket or towel between your back and the mat until you get used to the plastic spikes
• Take the process very slowly when starting out
• Lie down slowly and gently until your weight is distributed on the mat
• Don’t move while on the mat so you don’t scratch or pierce your skin

Tennis or Lacrosse Ball

A lacrosse or tennis ball on your joints and muscles can reduce pain, increase your joints’ range of motion, and decrease soreness. Lacrosse balls are denser than a standard tennis ball and are the ball of preference. 

Using a ball on your muscles loosen and stretch out the connective tissue that is on top of your muscles. It allows your muscles to move around more freely. Lacrosse balls can reach your deeper muscles whereas tennis balls cannot penetrate as much. 

You can lay on the floor or lean against the wall, moving around so it kneads your muscles and eliminates knots. 

Self Massage Techniques

You can perform a self-massage with the help of the above tools or with your hands. Routinely performing a self-massage will guarantee you continue to experience its benefits. 

Head Self Massage

If you have a bad headache, don’t start popping a bunch of pain pills. An easy self massage technique will relieve your head pain and all you need is your hands. 

Follow these simple steps:

• Put your thumbs on your cheekbones and by your ears
• Apply pressure gently, moving your fingertips in a circular motion
• Make circles as you move your thumbs up your hairline
• Stop when your thumbs meet in the center of your forehead
• Repeat

Neck Self Massage

Many of us experience neck tension as we spend hours sitting in front of our computers. An easy neck massage will ease your neck pain and relieve tension. 

Here are some tips for a neck self-massage:

• Put a few fingertips on the back of your neck, right where your neck connects to your shoulders
• Apply and hold firm pressure
• When you feel your muscles relax, release the pressure
• Slowly roll your shoulders 
• Repeat a few more times

Shoulder Self Massage

Poor posture can lead to shoulder pain. A shoulder self-massage can alleviate any pain in your shoulder. 

Follow these tips for a foolproof shoulder self-massage:

• Put the fingers of your right hand on your right shoulder
• Squeeze the upper part of your shoulder three times
• Roll the fingers over the muscle from the outside to the base of your neck
• Repeat on the left shoulder

Lower Back Self Massage

Gardening, cleaning, or heavy lifting can result in lower back pain. A quick self-massage can relieve your pain. For this massage, you’ll need a wall and a lacrosse ball. 

• Put the ball between the wall and your lower back
• Find the tense areas by moving your body up and down
• When you find the sore spot, apply light, then strong pressure
• Switch between rolling the ball over the spot and applying more pressure

 

Incorporate Self Massages Into Your Daily Routine

You don’t have to wait weeks to get an appointment for a massage. Adding self massages into your morning or evening routine is a great way for you to continue receiving the benefits of massages. You’ll not only save time and money, but you’ll feel better too. 

For more money-saving tips, read one of our other articles. 

Your wife’s big day is almost here. No, it’s not her birthday, but you should spoil her like it is. May 9th is Mother’s Day!

Your wife cooks, keeps the house in order, makes sure your kids are fed and taken to school, and does the grocery shopping, all while working a full-time job. Get her something special. Something that says, “thank you for all the work you do!”

Scratching your head because you’re not sure what your wife likes or needs? Is she hard to shop for? Here are a few Mother’s Day gifts for your wife that she’s sure to appreciate.

1. Get Her Something Cheesy 

Some of the best Mother’s Day gifts are the ones that leave her grinning like an idiot. Sure, she might roast you if you go too hammy, but deep down, you know she appreciates the sentiment. 

If you want to get her jewelry and leave a mushy note, there’s the fortune cookie locket. When you order it, you can either pick a message or write a custom one. The message is rolled up and placed inside the locket.

If you’re strapped for cash there’s always the classic create a book of “coupons” idea. You’ll make little coupons that she can turn in. For example, “cash this in for 1 breakfast in bed”.

You can either create them on a computer and print them out or cut a piece of paper into squares and write everything in.   

2. Comfy Pair of Slippers

Between going to work and coming home to take care of the kids and do stuff around the house, your wife’s poor feet are dying. Give her aching toes a break with a comfy pair of slippers. 

It won’t be able to work the same magic as a foot soaker (another great gift idea to note), but it will make her feel like she’s walking on a cloud while she’s at the house. It also gives her something to slip her feet into in the morning, so she doesn’t have to get jarred awake by stepping on a cold floor.  

3. The Fancy Chocolate Boxes 

Everyone can get their spouse a box of chocolates. What makes it special is the quality. Skip out on the store-bought stuff and get a little fancier.

We’re talking about a subscription box. 

Vosges 

If you get chocolate from Vosges, you’ll get to choose from two options for your wife. The first one includes a combination of bonbons and bars. You get to decide what goes into the box, so it’s custom. 

If your wife enjoys the gift and you want to keep it coming, all you have to do is click the “subscribe” and “auto-ship boxes” when you’re checking out. 

The second option is one of their two chocolate clubs. These are a little more expensive, but you can choose to only make it an every 12-month thing if you want. This way, the payments are more spaced out, at least. 

Rakka 

Every Rakka box comes with two or three unique organic chocolate bars. It depends on which subscription box you choose to go with. 

Each bar is pure, ethically sourced, and affordable. The boxes range between 20-25 dollars. You can get a shipment sent to your wife every month or every two months. 

Kekao

If your wife is a real chocolate connoisseur, this chocolate subscription box is for her. The company grabs awesome chocolate bars from other companies to ship to your doorstep each month. 

It’s a fun surprise for your wife because whatever she gets will be completely random. There are four to five bars in every 40-dollar box. 

4. Bathtub Tray 

It’s stereotypical, but there’s nothing like sinking into a hot tub of water at the end of the day with a glass of wine in your hand. Well, it’s nice until you accidentally dump your glass into the water. 

Help her avoid any unfortunate accidents by getting her a bathtub tray. It will allow her to enjoy her bath the way she wants it whether it’s drinking a glass of her favorite pinot noir or reading a book by candlelight. 

5. Clean the House 

Great gifts for Mother’s Days aren’t always about what you get her. It’s about what you do. She stays busy all year-round taking care of everyone. 

Give her one day where she doesn’t have to worry about doing anything. Get up early the morning of Mother’s Day and clean the entire house for her. 

Follow this up by cooking a nice breakfast or dinner, and we promise she will be happy as can be. 

6. Flowers 

Flowers are a classic Mother’s Day gift. We will say that you shouldn’t get her a bouquet from the grocery store. They aren’t exactly kept up well, so they die fast. 

Trust a local florist for your Mother’s Day flowers. Not only will they have a wider selection of beautiful arrangements, but they’ll deliver them right to the door. 

7. A New Bag 

Have you seen the pockets on women’s pants? You can’t fit anything in them. That’s why most women won’t say no to a new purse that they can put their things in. 

For safety reasons, consider getting her a small one with an adjustable strap. If she can keep the purse close by her side, it will detour any crafty burglars. Believe it or not, they don’t want to get caught. 

Choose the Best Mother’s Day Gifts for Your Wife 

Are you wracking your mind trying to pick out Mother’s Day Gifts for your wife? It’s not something that you should overthink. At the end of the day, it’s the act of showing your appreciation for her that matters. 

Consider one of the options on this list, or choose a combination of them to show the woman you love how much she means to you. If you’re shopping this Mother’s Day on a budget, visit the Frugal Living section of our blog for more ideas that won’t break your bank. 

You may not like going to the dentist, but dental care is essential to good oral care. Your dentist has the best equipment to give your teeth an intensive cleaning. Dentists also have the expertise to figure out why your teeth are aching, shifting, yellowing, and more.

However, even though dentists are necessary, you shouldn’t have to break the bank to see a good dentist. Dental expenses vary, but you should look for a price that meets your budget and provides excellent service. 

Not sure how to do that? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll help you navigate the cost of dentistry.

Breaking Down Procedure Costs

When you go to the dentist’s office, you’re not paying for the dentist so much as the procedure you’re there for. The cost of procedures is the part of your visit that most affects your expenses. If you have insurance, there’s a high likelihood it covers your most basic needs. 

For more advanced operations, such as dental reconstruction, you’ll generally need to pay a co-payment. If you don’t have insurance, that’s when the price starts to build.

Let’s begin with the most basic operation of a dentist’s office: teeth cleaning. Usually, insurance completely covers teeth cleaning from any dental office, so long as that office accepts your provider. If not, your cleaning could cost $70-$200. 

Additional Costs

Other dental costs that could come up include getting x-rays or an exam by a dentist. Both of these cost extra, but once again, insurance generally covers it. Otherwise, you’d likely pay $20-$250 for the x-ray and $50-$150 for the exam.

Advanced Procedures

If you’re lucky, most of your dental visits will consist of teeth cleanings or the occasional cavity filling. However, most people end up needing a little more advanced options than these. In this section, we’ll break down a few of those operations.

First, most everybody will need their wisdom teeth removed. This procedure can become a little pricy, especially without insurance. If you don’t have insurance, the average cost of removal per tooth ranges from $250-$700.

A second common operation is the root canal, which dentists perform to remove inflamed or infected pulp in the tooth and reseal it.

The less expensive teeth to repair are your back teeth, which without insurance costs approximately $900 to fix. If your front teeth need treatment, this can cost over $1,000.

What Does a Good Dentist Charge For Braces?

Many people wonder how much a good dentist charges for braces, either for themselves or for their children. This cost is tricky to determine, as more alternatives exist to traditional braces now.

However, traditional braces will usually cost up to $5,000 without insurance. With insurance, you get a break and only need to pay about $3,400.

Finding the Right Dentist

If you’re looking for a good dentist, don’t let this information scare you. Prices for operations often fluctuate from office to office. If you contact local dentists, you may find there are options to help you pay for the operations you need. 

We hope this article was helpful! If you enjoyed it, check out our other articles today!