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Saving Money on Your Next Long-Distance Move

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Whether you are buying your first, second, or third home, each move is expensive. The cost could double or even triple if the move is made across the country. The good news is there are several ways to lower your expenses.

Rent a truck or Hire a Professional Moving Company

Driving a truck loaded to the max across the country can cause an abundance of stress. Whereas hiring professional movers takes the worry off your shoulders. However, if your budget is skinny, hiring a moving company can cost thousands on its own. You need to weigh the pros and cons and then come to a final decision.

Advantages of Hiring Movers

There are some clear advantages to hiring movers. First, you won’t have to drive a big truck through traffic and suspect roadways. Second, if you opt for their insurance, you won’t have to worry about the damage that may occur during transport. If there’s something of value such as antique glassware or your mother’s pearls, pack a separate box and bring them with you. Another advantage is that they will pack up the truck and remove everything from the truck into your new home.

Reducing the Estimate

Every company will provide you with a written estimate based on the information you provide. Naturally, if any of the info changes, the cost can increase or decrease accordingly. Most estimates include a charge for packing a set number of boxes. If you opt to pack up the boxes yourself, you can lower the final cost. The written estimate will also include a fee for the supplied boxes. However, if you decide to acquire the boxes on your own, that amount comes off the bill. You can find boxes for free at retail stores, supermarkets, and liquor stores.

Move During the Off-Season

Moving companies charge different rates throughout the year. During their peak season, May through September, you can expect to pay the most. However, if you schedule the move from October through March, you’ll pay less. It’s all about supply and demand. To save even more, schedule the move for a weekday versus over the weekend.

Take Only What You Want

Everything that you take along is going to occupy space on the truck. The more room you use, the higher the fee. Before contacting a moving company, figure out what you want. Clean out the basement, the garage, and the attic and start the process of decluttering. Anything you no longer use or need set aside. Return to these items a day or two later, and if you’re still on the fence about bringing them, leave them behind. You can sell, donate, or contact a junk company to haul them away. You can use the profits on the items you sell to help fund your move and the donations as a tax deduction.

Moving Container

If you decide that hiring a moving company is not in your budget and you don’t want to drive a truck for more than a thousand miles, a moving container may provide a good fit. Moving containers have a price somewhere in the middle. One advantage of having a container delivered is that you have time to pack up at your leisure. The company simply drops off the container and you give them a call when it’s ready for pick up. They also deliver it to your new home when you’re ready. This lets you get the fine cleaning done ahead of your things.

Moving can be emotional for you, your spouse, children, and pets. You can remain excited and move for less if you reduce your inventory, find boxes, pack yourself, and choose the moving date during the week in the off-season.

How to Win a Scholarship

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Scholarships are essentially financial aid toward schools and courses which are gifted, rather than loans or need-based grants that accrue interest from the moment it is taken out. With a scholarship, part or all the funding will be covered, so that talented students have the option to further their career debt-free while being treated as an investment.

While scholarships are a gift, they also come with strings attached, which are usually rules and clauses which must be kept intact to receive the scholarship money. That being said, where does a student even begin to look for winning a scholarship?

This piece will serve as a guide on what to do and where to look.

Write a Standout Resume for a Scholarship

Those who are looking to win a scholarship need to be able to stand out from the rest, which is where an exceptional resume comes in.

A resume should cover anything from extracurricular activities, awards that have been achieved, accomplishments, and interests. A resume can also help support an application and allow teachers to write letters of recommendation that coincide with the content.

For those that love sport, browse through asmscholarships.com.

Apply to as Many Scholarships as Possible

Like most things, scholarships is a numbers game, and the more you apply for, the more it should statistically increase the chances of obtaining one. A student can have all the skills, goals, and achievements necessary for a scholarship, but luck is also an extremely important factor too.

That said, it is important that scholarships are applied for only if the student matches all the criteria. The same applications or essays can be used for each scholarship to save time, but make sure they are personalized to the specific scholarship, and be sure to proofread everything!

Do Not Miss Scholarship Deadlines

Half of the deadlines for scholarships are during the fall, and the other half is during spring, so it is important to be prepared. Start searching for scholarships from the moment grades have been confirmed and pay attention to what the scholarship requires of the student. There are scholarships for different levels of education, but the terms and conditions can vary, such as already having a college, or another progressive position confirmed.

Always Complete the Optional Scholarship Application Work

If any scholarship applications that are being applied for have any “optional work” attached to it, make sure you do it. This not only shows that the student is both serious and keen about the scholarship, but it also shows initiative and the willingness to go the extra mile.

This is another one of those tips that will help student applications stand out from the ones who opted out of their extras.

Do Not Wait to Apply to a Scholarship Last Minute

There is nothing worse than having minutes to spare, only for the internet to crash, the laptop to die, or the essay that has been so carefully constructed to disappear into the computer abyss with no trace. Leaving applications until the last minute means there is no room for error, even if the error is no one’s fault. So, make sure to leave plenty of time to get the application in.

Steps to Hiring an Interior Decorator to Transform Your Living Space

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You have an idea of what you want your living space to look like, but bringing it together is more challenging than you realized. From coming up with ideas and concepts to pairing the right pieces and remaining on budget, there’s a lot more to interior design than meets the eye. Property owners who don’t have the time, patience, or resources to decorate a room or house decide to hire an interior decorator.

What’s An Interior Decorator?

Commonly confused with an interior designer who is skilled in structural and aesthetic design, an interior decorator is an expert in enhancing the aesthetics, functionality, and comfort of residential or commercial space. Whether you need help with an entire design idea or you need someone with the creative eye to bring your ideas to life, these are the interior decoration experts you want to call.

How Do You Know Which One To Hire?

If you were to do a Google search for interior decorators near you, chances are you’d be routed to several service providers. Since you’ll have to pay for and live with the result, it is vital that you take a few precautions before signing a contract. Below are some steps to make hiring an interior decorator easier.

Define Your Personal Style

Your personal style must be incorporated into your home’s interior design. When coordinating with your decorator, you want to have some ideas of what you’d like to see. Even the smallest plan provides them with the inspiration they need to create a space you’ll be pleased with.

If you’re having a hard time thinking of themes, colors, or concepts for your living space, you can also get ideas from the internet. From social media platforms like Pinterest to online magazines like Better Homes & Gardenshttps://www.bhg.com/rooms/living-room/, there are several sources to draw insights from. As you find things you like, be sure to bookmark the site for future use.

Decide on a Budget

Before getting carried away with home decor ideas, create a budget, determine how much you can afford to pay for an interior decorator. While each service provider is different, you will likely have to pay an hourly or flat rate for the services and the cost of materials. Of course, the best way to pay would be with cash that you have saved up for this particular project. If you’d prefer to pay with a credit card or loan, be sure that you can afford the monthly payments without neglecting other financial obligations.

Education, Professional Credentials, and Experience Check

Now you’re ready to begin narrowing down the interior decorators servicing your area. Don’t overlook the importance of doing your due diligence. Check company websites or social media profiles to learn more about their background. What kind of education did they have? Do they have the necessary credentials to be an interior decorator in your jurisdiction? More importantly, how much experience do they have with home decorating?

Portfolio and Client Reviews

As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. You should never hire an interior decorator blindly. Find out what skills and capabilities have and the quality of their service by checking out portfolios and client reviews. An experienced home decorator is going to have several photos for you to look at and draw inspiration from. They’ll also have a list of clients you can contact to find out more about their satisfaction with the services they received.

Get An Estimate

By now, you’ve likely narrowed your list of options down significantly. A critical factor to remember is the expense. While you may like a particular decorator, if they aren’t willing to give you want at a price you can afford, you’ll need to move on to another expert. To get a general idea of how much it’s going to cost, the interior decorator may ask to schedule an in-house visit to get specific details.

Based on the information you gathered from the above steps, you can now make an informed decision on which interior decorator you’re going to hire. After making your selection, the only thing left to do is schedule an appointment and prepare to see the magic happen as they create a living space you’ll love.

Money Lessons Every Teenager Should Learn Before Graduating

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Once your child enters high school, you’ve only got a few years before they become adults. Whether they plan on going to college, traveling the world for a year, or applying for a job right after graduation, having a clear understanding of financial management practices will help them along their journey. Besides putting coins in a piggy bank and paying for things they want, you must teach them the following:

Earning Money

You may have provided your child with an allowance for getting good grades on their report card and completing household chores, but now it’s time to take things up a notch. Your teenagers need to understand that mom and dad aren’t ATMs. Teach them the importance of earning a living.

There are a few ways you can teach your teenager this financial lesson. If they’re old enough, encourage them to apply for a part-time job. If a job is not an option, show your teen how to turn their skills and talents into earning opportunities. They can cut grass, remove snow, walk dogs, babysit, or assist family members and neighbors with home improvement tasks.

Budgeting

While you wouldn’t expect your teen to pay the rent, utilities, or groceries, there are personal expenses they can cover. They may be responsible for their portion of the cell phone bill, special meals or snacks, and entertainment. When your teenager starts earning income, show them how to create a budget. This shows them that to survive, they have to be responsible with their spending.

Banking

Tucking money away in a drawer, under a mattress, or in a piggybank was fine when they were younger, but it won’t work in adulthood. Now is the perfect time to teach your teenagers about banking. Open a free checking account at the bank of your choice. Show your teen how to make deposits, write checks, and manage their accounts through online banking.

Saving

Whether for future purchases or emergencies, saving is an essential financial management practice to teach your teens. When you open a checking account, consider opening a savings account. Based on the budget you created, talk to your teen about setting a little money aside each week.

Credit and Debt

From credit cards to student loans, teenagers are inundated with credit offers to finance their future. Without proper management, however, these credit options quickly get out of hand. Therefore, talk to your teen about credit and debt. Explain how credit works, what it means to be a responsible borrower, and what happens if you aren’t.

Allow them to view your credit report so they can see how accounts and payments are recorded. Express the importance of paying bills on time and not taking on too much debt to keep their credit in good standing. You should also communicate the importance of good credit to obtain personal loans, a house, a car, and, in some cases, a career.

Fortunately, there are a lot of teen credit card offers you can take advantage of. The cards allow you to deposit cash in an account and use just as you would any credit card. Your teen then gets a hands-on experience on what credit is and how to manage it. The best part is, you’ll be there to help them.

Giving

The last lesson parents should teach their teenagers is giving. There are so many causes and people in need that could use the support. While there are several ways to give, donating money is at the top of the list. Ask your teen what causes they’re interested in or how they’d like to give back to the community. Then, show them how to donate to that cause.

There’s no reason why your kids should have to learn about money through trial and error. As you probably already know, this concept often leads down a path of destruction. Give them a headstart towards a great future by investing time in teaching them the financial lessons listed above.

How Polo Funding Can Help You Get Debt-Free Before the Wedding

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The months leading up to your wedding can easily be among the most exciting times of your life. You are–as you should be–filled with happy anticipation. You, your family, and your friends plan the magic touches for the ceremony and celebrations surrounding it. You look forward to the upcoming bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and unforgettable reception. In your free time, you watch videos and devour wedding-related content online; Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram are your daydream playground. And you just can’t stop gazing deep into the eyes of your loved one.

Something that can dampen all of this bright festivity is the shadow of debt. If you have amassed a great deal of personal debt over the years, that debt can diminish the joy of wedding planning, wedge itself in between you and the people you love, and cause many a heartache. As you’ve probably heard, one of the main reasons otherwise perfect marriages run into trouble is financial difficulty. It’s important that you work to fix your financial picture before the big day.

Set Pre-Wedding Goals

Depending on how far in advance the date has been set, you may have a shorter amount of time to “whip yourself into shape” financially than you’d like. There is no time like the present to get started. Dive headlong into the project of turning your financial situation around with the same enthusiasm you muster for planning the other aspects of your wedding. Set new financial goals and work towards them fiercely.

Get Organized

Organize your finances by creating a budget, keeping track of your spending, and paying off your debts. At the beginning, this can feel overwhelming; large journeys do. However, if you break any large task into a series of much smaller steps, you have a higher chance of success.

Consolidate Debts

Sometimes paying off your debts isn’t so easy. Fortunately, there are companies like Polo Funding who can help you consolidate your credit card debt. These companies allow you to ditch the variable and high-interest rates that you’re probably paying to the credit card companies. Instead, they give you a manageable monthly payment at a more reasonable low-interest rate, allowing you to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Start Saving… and Make it a Habit

Sadly, it has become less “normal” for Americans to save money. Our costs of living–from housing to transportation to medical expenses–seem to be rising. This is especially true in some of the bigger cities, such as Los Angeles, Portland, New York, Miami, Chicago, and so on. If, after you’ve paid your monthly bills, you want to go out for dinner with your friends or buy a new outfit, you probably have to put it on a credit card.

Somehow you need to shift your relationship with money and stop spending what you don’t have. Instead, set aside what you do have. As an example, if you were to set aside $100 a month (roughly $50 a paycheck), you’d have an extra $1200 a year in savings. That may not sound like so much, but it’s a start.

Build an Emergency Fund

As you work to get back on track financially, one of the first projects you focus on should be building an emergency fund. Set aside money to give yourself (and your new partner) a financial cushion in the event of unexpected situations like an expensive car repair or a sudden job loss. A financial cushion can go a long way towards reducing the kinds of stress that make good marriages go haywire. An emergency fund can change an unforeseen trip to the veterinarian from a financial catastrophe to something you can take in stride.

Is Polo Funding Worth the Hype?

This is a valid question, but perhaps the more important one is whether you want to get yourself out of debt more quickly and for less money. With wedding bells in your near future, you might not have the luxury of trying to handle a mountain of high-interest credit card debt “a little at a time.” Companies like Polo Funding help consolidate your credit card high-interest payments into one simple, fixed-interest loan.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!