lifestyle

Frugal living and couponing are strategies that individuals use to save money and manage their finances more effectively. Here’s a detailed guide to frugal living and using coupons efficiently:

Frugal Living

Frugal living is about being resourceful and mindful of how you spend your money, with the goal of saving more and reducing waste.

1. Create a Budget: Start by creating a budget and sticking to it. This helps you to keep track of your spending and savings goals.
2. Cut Unnecessary Expenses: Review your regular expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. This might include subscriptions you don’t use, dining out less, or finding cheaper alternatives for goods and services.
3. Buy Generic Brands: Often, generic brands are just as good as name brands but come at a lower cost.
4. Plan Meals and Cook at Home: Eating out can be expensive. Planning meals and cooking at home can save a significant amount of money.
5. Use Energy Efficient Appliances: Investing in energy-efficient appliances and practices can reduce your utility bills.
6. DIY Projects: Instead of hiring someone for repairs or projects, learn to do it yourself.
7. Utilize Public Resources: Take advantage of public libraries, parks, and community centers for entertainment and learning resources.
8. Avoid Impulse Purchases: Make a shopping list before you go to the store and stick to it.
9. Negotiate Bills: Sometimes, you can negotiate lower rates for services like cable, internet, or insurance.

Couponing

Couponing involves using coupons to save money on groceries and other products. When done effectively, it can significantly reduce your shopping bills.

1. Collect Coupons: Start collecting coupons from newspapers, magazines, and online sources like websites and social media. Also, check if the stores have their own apps that offer exclusive coupons.
2. Organize Your Coupons: Use a binder, wallet, or digital tool to keep your coupons organized so that you can easily find them when you need them.
3. Understand Store Policies: Familiarize yourself with the coupon policies of the stores you frequent. Some stores allow you to use multiple coupons, while others do not.
4. Match Coupons with Sales: For maximum savings, use your coupons when the items are on sale.
5. Buy in Bulk: Sometimes, buying in bulk with coupons can save you money in the long run. Just make sure it’s something you will use before it expires.
6. Keep Track of Expiration Dates: Coupons usually have expiration dates, so it’s important to use them before they expire.
7. Be Patient and Strategic: Couponing can be time-consuming, and the savings might not be significant initially. Be patient and develop a strategy that works for you.
8. Use Cashback Apps: In addition to coupons, use cashback apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, or Fetch Rewards to get money back on your purchases.
9. Avoid Buying Unnecessary Items: Just because you have a coupon for an item doesn’t mean you should buy it. Focus on purchasing items that you need and will use.

Combining frugal living with couponing can be a powerful way to save money and live within your means. It’s important to be mindful and deliberate in your approach to ensure that it aligns with your financial goals and lifestyle.

Following a structured recovery plan is essential after ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery. This plan is usually individualized based on the specifics of the surgery, the patient’s general health, and the surgeon’s or physical therapist’s recommendations. Below is a general timeline for post-ACL surgery precautions and recovery. However, always consult your healthcare provider for the most accurate and personalized advice.

Week 1-2: Immediate Post-Operation

• Pain Management: Take pain medications as prescribed by the doctor.
• Mobility: You will likely be using crutches to avoid putting weight on the operated leg.
• Icing and Elevation: Apply ice and elevate the leg to manage swelling.
• Bracing: You may be required to wear a knee brace to stabilize the knee joint.
• Range of Motion Exercises: Begin gentle range of motion exercises as advised by your physical therapist.

Week 3-6: Early Rehabilitation

• Partial Weight Bearing: Gradually start putting weight on the leg as advised by the doctor.
• Physical Therapy: Begin more formal physical therapy to restore range of motion and start strengthening exercises.
• Brace Adjustments: The brace might be adjusted to allow more motion.
• Swelling Management: Continue with icing and elevation if needed.

Week 7-12: Intermediate Rehabilitation

• Full Weight Bearing: Progress towards full weight-bearing without crutches.
• Strength Training: Intensify physical therapy with more advanced strengthening exercises.
• Balance Exercises: Begin exercises to improve balance and proprioception.
• Increased Range of Motion: Work on regaining full range of motion.

Month 3-6: Advanced Rehabilitation

• Functional Training: Incorporate sport-specific exercises and drills.
• Strength and Conditioning: Continue building strength and endurance in the leg muscles.
• Return to Activity: Gradually resume low-impact activities as cleared by the doctor, but avoid high-impact or cutting/pivoting movements.

Month 6-9: Return to Sport

• Sport-Specific Training: Work on sport-specific agility, power, and endurance.
• Assessment: Undergo assessments by your physical therapist and doctor to determine if you’re ready to return to full sports participation.
• Gradual Return to Sports: If cleared by your healthcare provider, gradually resume sports activities while being mindful of how your knee is responding.

Month 9-12: Maintenance and Prevention

• Continued Exercise: Keep working on strength and conditioning to support the knee.
• Monitoring: Regularly assess knee for any pain, swelling or instability.
• Injury Prevention: Practice injury prevention strategies to reduce the risk of re-injury.

It’s important to remember that these timelines are only general guidelines and recovery times can vary. Always follow the advice of your healthcare provider and don’t rush the recovery process, as it is important to allow the knee to heal properly. Regular follow-ups with your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist are essential to a successful recovery.

Note: This is a little out-of-context article for this website, but since I myself have suffered a broken ACL and grade 2 tear of MCL ligament while playing badminton, I thought of sharing my findings. Post-ACL surgery requires a personalized treatment approach, and the treatment recommendation sequence recommended by my doctors for me (mentioned above) may not suit you completely. My physiotherapist told me that recovery depends on the lifestyle of the patient, physique, profession, medical history and response to your body post-surgery. Although the urge for fast recovery constantly lingers in everyone’s mind, it is better to go slow when ligaments are concerned than to attempt a quick recovery and further damage those tender ligaments. Listen to your knee, if you have a lot of pain, then ask your physiotherapist/doctor if it is ok to skip exercise of if a visit is required. I am not an expert or a doctor, but I wanted to share my experience.

 

Oh, Canada! A land you may one day wish to call your home. Americans have had tons of reasons for wishing to call a new country home in recent years. With a lower quality of life, few benefits to promote a healthy work-life balance, political unrest, and crippling healthcare costs, many Americans just want out.

Canada is undoubtedly a beautiful country, but the beauty goes much deeper than just the surface. There are tons of reasons why Canada makes such a great place to live. The country is one of the safest places to inhabit, the people are known for their friendliness, and the free healthcare. You heard me right- free! Sometimes, the country feels almost too good to be true.

Why You Should Move to Canada

Free Healthcare

This is a big one for Americans, considering a ridiculous amount of US citizens have skipped seeking medical attention for fear of being unable to afford it. In Canada, healthcare is funded by the government. You would have to pay for some health-related things, such as dental work. However, the majority of health-related costs from the hospital or regular doctor’s visits are covered by government insurance, allowing Canadians to seek help for their ailments without fearing they will fall into debt.

Lower National Debt

The United States has an estimated 13 times more debt than Canada. This means that the United States is 13 times more likely to fall into a fiscal crisis, a worry that has already been brought up this year at the mention of a possible government shutdown. As the United States debt continues to rise out of control, worries of a recession are playing in everybody’s mind. Canada has much lower debt, leaving them in a safer position than the US.

Tax Benefits

Regardless of the fact that Canadians only pay a slightly larger amount in taxes than the US, they receive much more bang for their buck. With their taxes, Canadians receive free healthcare, amazing public services, and cheaper education than the USA. When COVID hit, Canadians were granted a regular stimulus check, something no United States citizen can claim happened in their country. So, while the taxes may be higher, they work more directly to help the citizens of Canada.

Better Social Services

Canada works to ensure that its citizens are given ample employment opportunities. For example, Ontario requires the government to contact laid-off workers to help set up an action plan to get them working again. Parents are granted government assistance to help them get the right amount of parental leave to adjust to their new baby.

Work-Life Balance

On average Canadian employees work 7 hours less than Americans per week. According to a Gallup article, Americans worked an average of 47 hours per week while Canadians worked only 40. While those seven hours may not seem like much of a difference, they combine to take up an enormous amount of time. Canada also requires employers to offer at least ten vacation days per year- a huge amount compared to the United State’s requirement of zero.

Paid Holidays and Vacation Time

In Canada, holidays like Canada Day are paid days off for every employee. In the United States, however, there are no holidays In which employers are required to pay their employees. This means that holidays that cause stores and businesses to close for the day may cause some American employees to lose much-needed money.

Paid Maternity Leave

The United States is one of only a few developed countries that does not offer paid parental leave at any time. Meanwhile, Canada offers parents at least a partial income for up to a year in order to grant families the chance to adjust to their new child. The U.S. also offers 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, which is often needed to be cut short if the mother needs to continue making money to live. Meanwhile, Canada offers a total of 76 weeks of maternity leave with benefits.

It is a Truly Beautiful Country

Canada is a truly beautiful country full of natural wonders like majestic mountains, racing rivers, and lush forests. The country is so large that an immense amount of its beauty has been left unscathed by human feet.

Higher Quality of Life

The life expectancy, happiness levels, and overall quality of life are higher in Canada than it is in the United States. This could be due to Canadians having free healthcare. Maybe it’s because they are granted a healthy work balance. It could also be the general accepting and friendly nature Canada is so well known for. Either way, Canadian quality of life is known to be higher than that of most Americans. Canada-living is a peaceful, happy living that promotes calm and content feelings.

Amazing Job Opportunities

Canada has a program known as the Federal Skilled Workers program. Under this program, specific occupations are qualified for fast-track entry. These jobs cover a wide variety of jobs like medical, management, and more. As Canada’s economy continues to grow, so do its opportunities for employment. Because of this, a large number of expats seek the comfort of the Canadian job market to put their skills to use.

Canada is Known For its Tolerance

According to the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey, Canada ranked at the number one spot for tolerance and acceptance. The country is known for its open-mindedness, making it a great place to migrate your family to.

Lower Crime Rates

Canada is known for two things: it’s friendliness and low crime rates. When you combine the two, you get a homeland that feels safe and comfortable to live in. According to a survey conducted in 2017, there were only 660 murders that took place in the entire country. That number is comparable to many states alone in the United States. Don’t even get me started on the murder count as an entire country. The few crimes that do occur are typically handled quickly and efficiently by the police in Canada. So, while Canada may still have crimes, the crime rate is significantly lower than that of the United States.

Unlike Americans, Canadians do not have a constitutional right to bear arms. Therefore lesser guns in society translates to negligible gun shooting incidents.

Better Education System

Canada has incredibly high-quality education systems, allowing them to place in one of the highest spots among the countries for math, science, and reading. They are also well-known for having amazingly high-quality and affordable universities throughout the country.

The People Are So Friendly

Have you ever met a Canadian who was rude for no reason? Canadians pride themselves on being polite and friendly to everyone they meet, which is exactly why the country feels so welcoming to those looking to explore it.

Canada is One of the World’s Most Accepting Country of Migrants

Canada is truly a melting pot of different cultures stirred together to form a beautiful community. A large amount of Canadians are migrants, meaning that schools are full of a beautiful mixture of cultures from around the world.

If you take Canadian citizenship, you can keep your US citizenship because both countries allow dual citizenship. Many H1-B immigrants from overseas countries like India and China, have to wait for about 10 years to get US green card (pathway to citizenship), however in Canada PR (permanent residency)  takes just about a year.

The Cons of Moving to Canada

While Canada is an absolutely breathtaking and amazing country to consider moving to, it also has its downfalls. Nothing and nobody is perfect, so let’s cover some of the cons that may arise when moving to a beautiful country.

The Weather Can Be Harsh

While Canada’s beautiful landscapes are a wonder to look at, the country can have some incredibly harsh winters. Immigrants who are from the southern states especially may struggle to adjust to the bitter cold and pesky snow that accompanies Canada’s cold weather months

It Can Get Expensive

Many migrants from the United States may find themselves appalled at the cost of living out in Canada. With high tariffs raising the prices of everyday goods and costly homes, the money can add up… fast. It is not uncommon for Canadian states and cities to rank high on the list for some of the most expensive places to live in the world.

High Taxes

The thing about the wonderful social services, government-paid maternity leaves, amazing school systems, and free healthcare we talked about in the benefits section is that they all have to be paid for somehow. Taxes are used to fund these programs and keep Canada a high-quality country to live in. Migrants from the United States, however, may have issues adjusting to the high tax prices as they adjust to a country with more help from the government.

You Might Miss Some of Your Favorite Stores and Products

Many stores that are loved by Americans everywhere may be nowhere to be found when it comes to Canada. For instance, American’s beloved Target is nowhere to be found in the country. A cold, harsh fact that may be too hard to accept for some.

Far From Your Family and Friends

As an American, it may prove to be difficult to move away from everybody you know and love. As you work to adjust to a new country with a slightly different culture, and completely different cost of living, you may begin to feel lonely and a bit homesick.

Canada can be an amazing country to live in. It is a serene, peaceful, and beautiful country. What’s stopping you?

Becoming debt-free is incredibly hard. It requires many personal sacrifices and several lifestyle changes. Getting rid of debt is like taking off a “800-pound Gorilla” from your back and an incredible freshness returning back in your life.

Just 1 year of a well-planned lifestyle can make the impossible, POSSIBLE!

We are about to say goodbye to 2020 and welcome 2021. This means that now is the time to start pondering your financial future. You see many people pen down extensive new year’s resolutions but forget the most crucial thing – getting their finances in order and becoming debt-free.

When you’re in debt, it’s much harder to be financially successful because a huge junk of your money goes to making payments and paying interest. There are many things you can do to become debt-free; even adopting 7-8 tops mentioned below can make a huge difference in your life.

1. Make a Budget

That is absolutely the most crucial point !! The road to no debt starts with becoming cognizant of your monthly earnings and spending.

Many people despise budgeting as it takes a lot of detailed work, discipline and planning. However, a budget is the actual road map that will guide you to becoming debt-free. Budgeting lets you focus your money on what matters most: day-to-day spending, controlling those compelling urges and gradual wealth-building. There are many free budgeting apps online that not only provide clear insights into your debts and spending habits but also provide valuable tips to pay off your debt more easily.

2. Get your APR lowered or switch to a 0% rate Credit Card

Now that you have broadly established your roadmap to becoming debt free, you might want to go to the next level and check if you are eligible for a 0% balance transfer accounts/cards.

If you are, it would be wise to transfer your credit card debt to a credit card company that offers a 0% Intro APR Purchase and Balance transfer. Companies such as Chase Freedom Unlimited, Discover it Cash Back, Bank of America credit card, Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, Wells Fargo Cash Wise and Visa, are all offering a 0% Intro APR Purchase and Balance transfer period for approximately 15 months.

This is great, as it allows a switch to a 0% interest credit card and avoids paying interest in 2020. The interest money that you save can go towards paying off your debt. But make sure you can pay off your debt within these 15 months to not risk the chance of paying the standard or higher interest rate.

3. Increase credit score through automation

The amount of debt you have is one of the biggest factors that go into your credit score. A low credit score directly impacts your ability to pay a low insurance rate. One of the key ways to increase your credit score is by automating payments. People underestimate the damage they can do to a credit score by simply missing payments by accident. Hence, it is best to automate your payments and regain a high credit score

4. Set Financial Goals

Tell yourself that I am going to save 50% of my earnings, no matter what. Shift to a lower-cost housing unit, and cancel all those extra services which you can live without. If others are running after a gadget, you don’t have to.

The truth is, being in debt restricts you from living your best life. When you set financial goals, you’ll be eager to pay off your debt as fast as possible to accomplish what you truly want.

5. Fixed Monthly Expenses

The mortgage and utility bills are fixed expenses that you must pay monthly and are typically considered to be non-negotiable. While this is true, with some proper planning and possibly an upfront investment, you can still reduce them. Take your mortgage, for instance; you might view it as a fixed expense, but there are certain actions you can take to offset this expense, such as renting out a room in your home or downgrading to a less expensive home. In addition to that, you can shop around for a lower interest rate or refinance with your current lender.

6. Plan your Grocery Trips

Grocery shopping is a mandatory recurring expense. There is a way you can save money on your grocery shopping. The best way to do this is to make a list and stick to it. Also, choose one day in the week to go grocery shopping. Make sure to purchase everything you need, so you won’t have to visit the grocery store for a second time or order your groceries online and then pick them up curbside at the store. More trips to the store means more fuel you burn, more things you see inside the store and the urge to buy extra things. Businesses around us are built so that we spend money on them; this very urge must be controlled.

7. Start Couponing

Couponing can save you a lot of money on your grocery trips. Imagine having a nice chunk of your bill covered by coupons. Wouldn’t that be great? Be sure to only use coupons for products you already buy, to avoid overspending on items you’ll never use.

Not using coupons is like leaving free money on the table. 

8. Save for Purchases Instead of using Credit

I get it; credit cards / Apple Pay etc., all are extremely convenient, but they can also put you in debt easily. Instead of using credit cards, save for the things you want and need and only purchase them when you have enough funds. 

In fact, switch to the old-fashioned way. Start shopping with cash. When you count those dollars with your own hands before making a payment, you will automatically watch your spending closely. 

9. Try Consignment Shopping

Let’s be honest; you don’t need the latest designer clothes or a bunch of new clothes every season. Consignment stores are known for their nice quality and in excellent condition pre-loved. And they sell them at a fraction of the original cost. Or at least go to discount stores like Ross, even if you hate them currently. Live like of a lower-middle-class person.

10 Cut the cable

Do you need cable in this day and age when you have Hulu, Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon prime? Nowadays, you can even watch movies for free online. So cut the cable and put that $100 towards your debt each month.

11. Find free entertainment

You might be accustomed to spending huge bucks for entertainment. This is not very wise when in the process of becoming debt-free. Challenge yourself to find free ways to stay entertained. Take the kids to the park, go for a walk or a hike, enjoy a free concert, or look for a free event in your community.

In fact, most free outdoor entertainment activities are healthiest for you. Being a couch potato will only make you fat, lazy and sick. Forget what others will say or think. Those same people will give your example to others when you reverse your life by 180 degrees in 1 year.

12. Eat out less

If your goal is to become debt-free in 2020, it is best to reduce your restaurant visits. While eating out is easier than cooking at home; it hurts your purse.

You don’t have to become a boring person for that. Instead of meeting up at a restaurant with friends, have them come over for a home-cooked food instead.

13. Don’t Spend to Impress Others

It’s human nature to want to impress the ones around us – especially when we are young. But that is foolish that is as it will leave you with a pile of debt and stressful bills. It is better to work hard to pay off your debt.

Tell your girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse that you really need their support to achieve your 2020 debt-free goal. This may also impact their lifestyle, but our close ones are meant to support us, not break us.

14. Avoid Expensive Hobbies

You might love to play golf, do craft projects, etc.? But do you really have those extra dollars to spend on these hobbies? If you plan to become debt-free, you might start looking for other alternative hobbies that you will enjoy without digging deep into your pocket.

15. Find Cheaper Alternatives

It is not uncommon to feel a little bit restrictive and deprived while on your mission to a debt-free life. To curb this feeling, find cheaper alternatives for things you spend money on daily. So instead of going out for lunch, take your lunch to work and save some money.

Go for that 2nd hard car. Buy a cheaper phone. You can get that haircut from a cheaper salon. You don’t have to shop from Reebok and Nike necessarily. May be you can get a cheaper insurance from a different company.

16. Start a Side Gig

Cutting your budget, free entertainment or couponing are great ways to save but are still limited. To become debt-free fast, try to make more money. Thankfully there are many ways to do that. You can become a part-time Uber driver, a part-time nanny, a dog walker or pet sitter. A mystery shopper or take paid online surveys. Start blogging and earn money from Google Adsense. Try Freelancer or Fiverr and get paid for writing articles or making a video for others. All these are great ways to earn an additional income to pay off your debt.

17. Sell Items Online

eBay, Craigslist and Facebook marketplace are all great platforms to sell items you no longer need to make some quick cash. But you don’t have to stop there. People are earning a lucrative income on the Internet. Consider any skills you have that you’ll be able to turn into a physical product and earn extra cash with. 

18. The Democratic Party’s Plan on Student Loan Debt

Ever since the announcement of their candidacy, these two democrats – Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have loudly shared their thoughts on student loans and medical bills. Both promised to wipe out student loans and medical debt if they became president. This is great, as most Millennials are drowning in student loan debt and boomers can’t seem to pay their medical debt. If these candidates fulfill their promises, most people will see an instant deduction in their debt.

19. Donald Trump’s low tax Slab Promise

On the other hand, the Republican and current President of the United States “Donald Trump” is also making promises that will benefit the people. If he keeps to his promises, then tax slabs will remain low. This will allow you to use your extra savings to pay off debt. Democrats will likely increase taxes to fulfill their promises.

20  Build an Emergency Fund

Once you’ve got control of your spending, it’s time to start building your emergency fund. Your emergency fund acts as a safety net during Financial emergencies – which happens constantly. The emergency fund is going to prevent you from accumulating new debt. The easiest way to build an emergency fund is by treating it like any other expense that you need to pay every month.

Wrapping it up

There you have it – 20 ways to get out of debt and breathe fresh air into your finances. Try these tips and see which ones work for you. The journey to a debt-free 2021 will require dedication and some sacrifices. Over time, you’ll reap the fruits of your dedication.