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Memorial Day BBQ Made Cheap & Easy

By on May 24, 2012

This is a guest post by Andrea Woroch.

Memorial Day honors the sacrifice of our nation’s heroes and represents the unofficial start of summer. Though this three-day weekend is a popular traveling holiday, many families opt to stay home in an effort to avoid the crowded highways and inflated airline prices.

Hosting a Memorial Day barbecue is a fun way to celebrate the long weekend at home with family, friends and neighbors. Make the most of your BBQ with these budget-friendly entertaining tips:

1. Make it BYOS
Stands for “bring your own something.” Determine what will set you back the most and ask guests to bring their own. For example, request friends bring meat to cut down on the cost of the main course and accommodate dietary restrictions. Beverages, desserts and side dishes are other popular potluck items. Ultimately, guests are happy to help out, but avoid asking them to bring everything — you’re the host, after all.

2. Buy Meat in Bulk
If suggesting guests bring their own meat goes against the Grill Master code, buy the meat in bulk to cut down on the cost. Keep in mind that chicken is cheaper than beef, and ground meat is cheaper still so prepare a menu based on prices. Though great food is a big part of any successful BBQ, guests are really there to mingle with friends and no one expects filet mignon. Don’t forget, leftover meat can be frozen so don’t worry about buying too much.

3. Think Reusable
Though paper plates are convenient for parties, they’re not always the most frugal choice, nor the most environmentally friendly. Instead, opt for durable, plastic dinnerware from a department store to be used again and again throughout the summer. Kohl’s has some great options, and you can score extra savings with online coupons from this site. Your local dollar store is another gold mine for cheap plastic ware that can be washed and reused throughout the summer.

4. Save on Condiments
Whether you’re cooking up burgers or serving juicy steaks, you’ll likely need condiments and seasonings to complement your spread. Compare labels on store brand and name brand products to ensure you’re not paying more for flashy advertising. Some generic brands are made by the same manufacturers of the name brands, so it pays (literally) to comparison shop and review unit prices to determine the best value.

5. Chop Your Own
It may be tempting to purchase prepared foods — like pre-chopped veggies, fruit and other produce — for the convenience, but these dishes are marked up over 40 percent. Take the time to buy these items whole and chop them yourself. You can prepare veggie and fruit dishes a day before the barbecue so you’re not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.

6. Stock Up on Staples
Since Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer entertaining season, many retailers are competing for business and offering barbecue supplies at their lowest prices of the year. May represents the best time to buy grill accessories and necessities, including spatulas, brushes and charcoal. Hold off on replacing that outdoor grill until the end of the season, however, when retailers reduce prices to make room for winter essentials.

7. Keep it Safe
Bacteria-related illnesses are prevalent during the summer thanks to poor storage practices. The rule of thumb in keeping stomach-turning bacteria at bay is to keep hot things hot and cold things cold, according to a recent article on MSN Health. Don’t let burgers or grilled meat sit out on the table for late-coming guests, and be sure to place mayo-based salads on ice or in the refrigerator for self serving.

8. Have Fun
Children aren’t the only ones who like to play games. Corn hole, badminton and board games are fun activities for all ages and can help break the ice among adult guests who are meeting for the first time. Download free trivia game apps on your smartphone or create your own pictionary for cheap DIY alternative games. Don’t forget the tunes: Download free music apps like Pandora and stream your playlist from your smartphone to a portable speaker to get the party started!

This is a guest post.

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How the net can keep you out of debt

By on May 17, 2012

This is a guest post.

We could all do with a little help managing our finances from time to time, and one of the best free resources out there is the internet itself. If you’re reading this blog, you probably already know some of the top places to look, but here’s a few more in case you missed them:

Free money-managing apps. Free apps for your iPhone, like Balance, not only help you keep track of how much you’re spending and where, but make you more conscious of when you’re spending. By making yourself enter all your purchases, you’ll get a feel for just how often you’re tapping into your bank account – and you’ll soon begin to identify areas where you can make savings.

Free debt advice.  Organizations like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling provide free and expert advice on a wide range of issues, from financial education to housing, bankruptcy assistance and improving your credit score. Unlike for-profit organizations, the advice they provide is unbiased and designed to get your finances back on track as soon as possible. Many debt charities also provide a free helpline for one-to-one advice.

Free property valuations.  Property valuations may seem like a long and expensive process, but in fact there are several sites that can help you if you want to sell your house fast. This is a great alternative to the traditional property market if you need to access the cash tied up in your property quickly, or if you have a sudden change in circumstances that means you have to relocate to another state.

Free budgeting sites.  Web-based financial management tools have become much more sophisticated in recent years, and can even link directly to your bank account to provide real-time information on how your incomings and outgoings are doing. Yodley MoneyCenter is free and provides visual representations of where your money is going, as well as allowing you to transfer funds and pay bills.

Free price comparisons. This doesn’t just mean shopping around to find the best deal for your electricity and utilities providers, although you should definitely do that! There are price comparison sites for the gas you put in your car, your weekly groceries and many other things your spend money on every day. By always shopping around to get the best deal available, the savings will quickly add up.

This is a guest post by Sam Rodgers.

Categories: Life3 Comments

Skip the Gym and Burn Calories in Your Apartment

By on April 30, 2012

This is a guest post by Annette Smith.

Everyone knows the importance of exercise. The benefits are well-documented. Exercise boosts energy, controls weight, improves heart health, builds muscle and bone strength, fights infection, lifts mood and more.

Many people get their workouts by going to the gym or taking an exercise class. Others head outside for a walk, jog or bicycle ride. These places are great exercise environments, but they can be enhanced with workout space at home.

Some homes have a room filled with fitness equipment, wall mirrors and workout gear. Most apartment dwellers do not have the luxury or budget for an entire fitness room, but they can carve out a small space for exercise workouts.

Planning Home Exercise Space

The intensity and size of a workout space depends on factors such as fitness level, budget and available space. Some apartments are small and space is limited, but it usually possible to find an area for weights or a yoga mat. Larger areas can accommodate home gym equipment, a television and a DVD player.

House plants and scented candles are great additions to a home exercise space. They contribute to a sense of peace, relaxation and meditation. Mirrors are a good idea if space allows, since they enable exercisers to examine their form during an exercise move.

Choosing Home Exercise Equipment

Depending on personal fitness goals and preferences, apartment dwellers may want to purchase exercise equipment for their home workout space. Jump ropes are great for high-intensity aerobic exercise, while mini-trampolines work well for mid-intensity workouts. Strength training requires free weights or resistance bands. Free weights can be stored under beds or on closet floors.

An exercise ball is good for working on core strength, and exercise DVDs provide instruction and motivation. Yoga or exercise mats provide a safe, comfortable exercise spot. People can buy most of these items for $50 or less at sporting good stores and online retailers.

Total body gyms are easy and convenient to use, and they take up very little space. They are available as bench or door gyms. These workout systems are ideal for strengthening and toning the body. Combined with aerobic activity, they can produce amazing fitness changes. People can find used or sale-priced equipment online for around $75. New models cost slightly more.

Quick Home Exercise Workouts

Ten minutes is not a very long time, but it is long enough to tone the body and jump-start its metabolism. Short workouts can accomplish small fitness goals such as burning extra calories, toning muscles and improving flexibility. Best of all, quick exercise sessions can be done right at home.

A quick cardio blast burns calories and boosts heart health. People who alternate two minutes of rope jumping or stair running with push-ups and squats can burn 150 calories in ten minutes.

A short workout can also strengthen and tone the body. A continuous move through a series of exercises is the goal. Apartment strength training sessions should include wall squats, push-ups, lunges, dead lifts, shoulder raises, triceps dips and crunches. All of these exercises can be performed with some bands and a mat.

Flexibility exercises stretch and lengthen the body’s major muscles: hamstrings, triceps, shoulders, quadriceps and spine. They are good for pre-exercise warm-ups and post-workout cool downs. Stretches should be slow and held for one minute on each side of the body.

While short exercise sessions are beneficial as stand-alone activities, they are ideal complements to longer aerobic workouts. Quick workouts can be done in the apartment any time, and they work well to fill the gaps between outdoor activities or trips to the gym.

Annette Smith is a San Antonio-based freelance writer on behalf of Houston Apartment Insiders. The Houston Apartment Insiders team has over 30 years experience helping apartment dwellers find their perfect home in Houston at no cost.

Categories: Guest Post6 Comments

GAP Insurance Basics

By on April 19, 2012

This is a guest post.

It can seem a bit overwhelming with so many different types of car insurance policies to choose from. The good news is that with just a little bit of basic information you can have an understanding of auto insurance coverage and what you may need. One of those strange policies is GAP insurance.

So, what is GAP insurance?

  • GAP insurance actually stands for Guaranteed Auto Protection. Many drivers believe it means filling in the gaps that other types of car insurance policies leave out. That is not the case. There are a few different circumstances that someone would need GAP insurance coverage and you will see it really does help fill in some gaps.
  • GAP insurance actually covers the difference between a car’s actual value and the amount owed on the car. Since a standard auto insurance policy would only cover the book value of the car should something happen. GAP insurance covers that remaining balance. If you don’t carry this policy, you could be financially responsible for thousands of dollars out of your own pocket.
  • The most common use is when you buy a brand new car. Once you drive your car off the lot, the amount you owe and the actual value of the car are no longer equal. In fact, there is actually usually quite a big difference. If you have a wreck and the car is totaled – your GAP insurance would pay the difference between the value and the amount owed on the car. Without GAP auto insurance coverage, that difference is still yours to pay. This is also true for coverage if the vehicle is stolen and not recovered.
  • Another term you may hear associated with GAP insurance is “upside down auto loan” or “upside down trade in”. Auto insurance policies cover the market value of the car or the cost to repair your car. They pick the least expensive of these two. Because of depreciate there is a good possibility that your market value is less than what you still owe on your loan. A GAP insurance policy covers you in the event that this happens.
  • If you get a car and intend to put a great deal of mileage on it for work or travel the value of the car will quickly depreciate. Even if you start with a vehicle loan that is close to or under the value of the car, or if you do anything to it that could quickly depreciate the value, you will probably want to carry GAP insurance coverage.

Whatever the reason, GAP insurance basics are intended to help you realize the importance of this type of coverage. Without it, you could end up paying a great deal of money from your own pocket to pay for damages to a vehicle you no longer have in your possession.

Keep in mind, some lenders will actually require you to carry GAP insurance as part of your coverage if you are getting a car that is financed or leased. When in doubt ask and find out if it is required. Even if it is not mandatory but you feel you’re a driver who fits into a demographic of someone who needs extra policy protection, you should strongly consider getting the coverage. When it comes auto insurance, make sure you have all the protection you need on the open road.

This is a guest post.

Categories: Guest Post2 Comments

Three Tips for Maintaining Your Health Goals this Summer

By on April 9, 2012

For many of us, the arrival of warmer weather causes an array of emotions and thoughts to occur. We love the summer—the long days, the warm weather, the outdoor barbeques, and the toes in the water. No doubt, there’s a lot to love about this season.

And, as summer starts to find us with full force, many of us turn our minds to getting healthy, losing weight, feeling confident in our short shorts, and eating fresh summer fruits. There’s just something about this season that inspires a healthy attitude and body. However, oftentimes we find ourselves in a rush to reach our summertime health goals in just the three short months the season gives us.

Rather than throwing together a weight loss plan and health regimen, use these tips to create health goals that you can maintain and make work year round.

Think Lifestyle Change, Not Diet Change

The biggest mistake that dieters make is thinking that they can simply change the things they eat and how they eat and become instantly healthy and "thin". Becoming healthy is about more than just losing weight and in this way it is more about changing your lifestyle than changing your diet. Sure, a diet every now and again can get you to lose weight. There’s no doubt there.

However, in order to make permanent changes you’ll have to embrace a lifestyle change. It’s not just about weight loss; it’s about becoming a happier and healthier person. Make a commitment to your health. You can choose a diet that you think will work for you, but you should also look into your activities levels, your mindset, what types of foods you eat, and where your weaknesses are. A health mindset that focuses on your lifestyle will set you up for permanent changes for the better.

Be Reasonable with Goal Setting

Setting goals is an essential aspect of becoming healthy—we all know this.

However, most of us struggle with setting the right goals and sticking to them. You want to reach for goals that are challenging, but attainable. Setting yourself up for failure is the easiest way to feel lousy about yourself and lost track of your health plan. You should absolutely set short term goals that get you through each week.

But, like anything in life, you must also set long term goals that give those short term goals purpose. You want to become a more confident and healthy individual. Set specific goals for yourself that define what it is you want out of your health regimen and that communicate what you want that. Motives are important when it comes to getting healthy.

Track Your Progress

Staying carefully organized with your goals and your progress is a very important step within your health plan.

Create a food journal where you keep track of the foods you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat. In that journal you should weigh yourself regularly and measure inches lost and gained. Just knowing what your body does, what you appetite is, and how your body responds to your appetite will be as valuable as a diet.

Seeing your progress throughout your health campaign can be a great way to stay motivated and educated about your body. Try to keep a log of your exercise routines. All of this information helps you determine what types of activity and diets work best for you and give you a clear picture of your status.

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online universities advice.

Categories: Guest Post, Health2 Comments