4 Hidden Expenses that Can Destroy Your Budget Plan

 

Several factors can affect the way you budget your household. This is why we wrote the article ‘How to Get Your Husband to Budget With You’. When it comes to narrowing down household expenses, two heads are better than one. Now, let’s take a closer look at another potential budget plan destroyer: hidden expenses.

Acquiring the Latest Technology

This may seem glaringly obvious, but you don’t really need that new smartphone. Unless you need to acquire the latest version of a phone, computer processor, digital camera, or graphics card for your job or career, there’s really no real reason for you to get it. Don’t get caught in the hype and social pressure of always having the latest gadget. It’s likely to be an expense that you don’t really need, and there will be cheaper versions on the market.

Succumbing to “Good Deals”

It’s good to take advantage of discounts, but don’t let mall and outlet store sale events fool you. Mall department stores are notorious for marking up items and then selling them at “discounted” prices. Again, avoiding the hidden expense here is important. Bustle state that there’s no need to buy items that you normally wouldn’t buy just because they’re “on sale.”

Overpriced Coffee

It’s no secret that franchise and boutique coffee shops overcharge for coffee. If your office or workplace has a kitchen or similar facilities, just brew your own. The money that you spend on quality brews at coffee shops translate to more than twice the amount of a home or office-brewed coffee of similar quality. Additionally, the more you brew your own, the better you’ll eventually be at picking the right beans and brewing them correctly. The only thing better than saving money is acquiring a new skill while you’re at it.

Hidden Bills and Taxes

Hidden bills and taxes are some of the most frustrating ways to spend money, and this is more of a problem than most people realize. For example, if you buy a property in a city like New York, you might be surprised to find that the title costs are unexpectedly high. Check the paperwork and you’ll likely see that the most expensive item on your title bill is something that’s called mortgage recording tax.

Here’s what you need to know about this semi-hidden bill that can cause frustration to homeowners trying to budget their expenses. It’s a percentage of the new mortgage debt amount and is generally paid by whoever buys the property. The city-imposed tax applies to all new mortgages, and is due when the mortgage is recorded. Unless you’re buying a co-op unit, you’ll need to factor in the cost of your mortgage recording tax early on. Otherwise, you might fall short of your original budget and find yourself having to dig deeper into your savings. The lesson here is to always read the small print.

Another notorious source of hidden bills are hotels that list hidden charges on your final bill. This is commonly done via “drip pricing,” which the Federal Trade Commission explains is when hotels only reveal prices as the buying process proceeds. This means being charged for things like valet parking, pool maintenance, exercise facilities, or other privileges even though you haven’t technically benefited from them. So before you book any hostel, motel, resort, or hotel, be absolutely clear about what you need to pay. And if they still charge you erroneously, feel free to contest the bill.

Avoiding any and all hidden expenses is a matter of being informed and assertive about your own financial rights. Always do your homework whenever you’re planning to spend a significant amount of money or even just a little.

The Secret to a Quick Up-do That Stays Put

Warm weather is coming and when it’s humid out, there’s no better feeling than pulling your hair up off your neck.  If you have littles or a busy lifestyle, you need a way to do it quickly that will stay.  I used to use a circa 1994 claw clip.  It is fast and secure, but you can’t lean your head back.  Driving in the car is no longer comfy and forget about floor workouts.

Flexi-clips from Holly at Lilla Rose  change all that.  You get the same fast updo–without uncomfortable bulk on the back of your head.

They are known for staying put, when other clips fail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The clips are good for a casual half up, or even to dress up a pony tail. They have other hair accessories too, such as jeweled bobby pins, U pins, bun sticks, and headbands.

Holly is representing Lilla Rose to earn money while she stays home to raise her daughter, and generously donated 3 flexi-clips to our Fit-Mama challenge. The top 3 ladies will each get one in their prize package.

I really love this chunky set.

And this headband.

And these pins.

For more hair ideas follow Holly on facebook and shop her store here.

 

How I’m Knocking My Husband’s Socks off this Valentine’s Day

I’m normally not the romantic one in our relationship.  That’s what makes this surprise so good. He’s not going to expect it and he’s going to love it at the same time.  Not only is it romantic and relationship building, but it’s good for his health.  That might be my favorite part.

Last year I took an online course called, Melt, by professional massage therapist Denis Merkas. He has had famous clients like Peirce Brosnan come through his clinic.  Normally I wouldn’t’ have access to learn from someone of his skill level, but through the Melt course I got to learn his technique.  When I was a newlywed, I read an article that said men usually don’t live as long as their wives because of stress.  I told my husband that I would give him a massage every night so he would release stress and live longer.   It was a great idea, except my tiny little lady hands were no match for his boulder shoulders.  I would give up after a few minutes, and he would wonder why his massage was so short.   I wasn’t very interested in trying again, because of the pain and his massages were further and further apart until I stopped trying.

Denis’s course changed all that for me.  I learned the secrets that allow professional massage therapists give a 60 minute massage without wearing out, even on super strong bodies.   Darren felt the difference the first time.  He didn’t know why it was so good, he just knew it was.  When it was all over, he wanted to know how I learned the technique and if he could learn it too.   I’m all for that!

So this Valentine’s Day I’m paying attention to all the romantic details.

  1. Refresh my technique by watching the video course again.
  2. Tidy up the bedroom room, not perfection just better than normal, so he NOTICES something is different.
  3. Rose petals on the bed.
  4. Wooden tray with candles, Valentine chocolates, and massage oil on the bench at the foot of our bed.  It’s a great place for a lying down massage.
  5. Fur rug and blankets in front of the tall leaning mirror with more candles and chocolates.  It’s the perfect place for a sitting massage so he can watch me massage him wearing something flirtatious.
  6. Youtube playlist of relaxing music.  I like this one and this one.

I can’t wait to see his face when he comes home from work next Tuesday :).

Valentine’s Day Special…

Melt is bundling up its foot massage videos for FREE with the Melt video series. Total value of $171 for only $99. So many tutorials, you’ll be sharing massages for years to come! 

Offer ends Feb 14th, 2017

Click here 

This special promo is for our Grocery Shrink readers. You’ll get lifetime unlimited access to the ENTIRE melt video series and the foot rub videos. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.  

Includes a 60 day money back guarantee + a Valentine’s Day gift voucher.

These are not only great for cheap stay home date nights (works out at around $29 a date night if you split it over three nights!) even less $7.41 if you set up a massage date idea once a month!

The Perfect Father’s Day Gift

father's Day

Amanda was in full panic mode.  Father’s day was just a few days away and she had no idea what to buy. She really wanted to show her husband how important he was to their family and make his face light up with delight. She wandered around the home improvement store, but buying him a new tool might be like him buying her a vacuum for a present. It would remind him of all the work he needed to do instead of telling him how thankful she was for who he is.

playball

Next she headed to the sporting goods store. She felt dizzy looking at the vivid colors and meandering paths. The store had music playing plus shopping noises echoing throughout the place.  Feelings of sensory overload and overwhelm creeped in. She didn’t know where to begin. She thought about a gift card, but he hated to shop.  This was a no-win situation.

tie

She couldn’t wait to leave and go to more familiar territory.  At the department store, she  looked at fresh smelling leather wallets, silk luxury ties, and crisp dress shirts. He would look so handsome in these, but he didn’t enjoy dressing up.  He put on a tie for church every Sunday, and it came off in the car on the way home.  It would get use for sure, but it wasn’t going to make his face light up.

Whatever gift giving occasion: birthday, Christmas, or Father’s Day, she always asked him what he wanted and he always said the same thing. A firey gleam would come in his eyes as he said, “You in a big red bow.”  Then he would pantomime untying the bow as she blushed up to her hair roots.  She would go buy something, anything, that he could open in polite company. No matter what she bought him, she never saw the look of pure delight she was hoping for when he opened it.

MELT

THEN, her favorite blogger told her about MELT.  She had tried giving her husband a massage before, but to his disappointment her hands and neck would cramp painfully before 5 minutes had gone by. These PG rated videos promised to show her how to give a long lasting massage without hurting herself in the process.  With instant access for life, it was an investment that would be reused over and over again, all for less than the price of one professional massage.

Even better, MELT had prepared in advance how to package the gift perfectly for Father’s Day with downloadable printables that she could stick in all the little places he was sure to find them. It was designed to build anticipation and curiosity with the final clue leading to a wrapped package of massage oil and his favorite chocolates to open.

massage oil chocolate

She started to smile as she thought about the look on his face when he found the first note tucked in his shoe, then the next under his coffee mug and the next taped to his steering wheel.  She wasn’t normally a creative person, but this was all done for her.  It was perfect and easy and it was going to be really fun.  Maybe this was the year she’d want that big red bow after all.

Click Here to get MELT for yourself

Keep in Mind

1. 60 day money back guarantee –  if her hubby doesn’t like the massage, you can get your money back.

2. Online video access – instant access for that last minute panic gift

3. Monthly payment plan to fit in small budgets

4. Lifetime access to Melt – This is a win-win.  When hubby is itching to get his hands on you, he can use the techniques too.

5. FREE foot rub videos included with each purchase of Melt. So hubby can return the favor later with an awesome foot rub. This ends on the 19th of June – Father’s Day.

 P.S. I’m using the video series for Darren’s father’s day gift and you are going to love Denis’s Australian accent and instruction style. It is very professionally done and easy to implement.

Giant Feather Canvas

Feather Art 4A gigantic white canvas scares me.  It is full of possiblities but begs me to choose just one.

I’ve been dreaming for years of what I would do when I got the nerve to buy a big blank canvas.  I have a pinboard full of ideas simply for a big blank canvas, but I didn’t have the courage to act on any of them.  Then my neighbor put a 30×40 canvas out at his garage sale.  For just $10 I could own it, still in shrink wrap.  So I bought it.  Step one, Dream.  Here I come.
Feather art 3

I leaned it against the wall in my room and refused to hear it mocking me. I wouldn’t make eye contact. I wouldn’t let it see my fear. Dust came.

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Cutting Edge Stencils invited me to look through their website and pick something to share with you.  I chose the Feathers All Over pattern.  Step two, Dream.  Here I come.

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I set a deadline.  I told myself that if I hated it I could paint over it as many times as I wanted.  The stencil arrived gently rolled in a triangle tube. The stencil was huge and sturdy.   The packaged also included a high quality stencil level, brush and foam roller.  I  had everything I needed to begin.  1…2….3…jump….maybe tomorrow.

The deadline loomed and so did a fever.  I took to my bed and slept amid sweat.  My oldest daughter asked if there were anything she could do.  I offered her the canvas.  She and her friend mixed and striped the base with just one blue. Black made it darker and white took it the other way. I didn’t watch, I just let them do.  “Don’t worry, Kids,” I reassured.  “It wasn’t expensive.  It’s just paint.  If it’s awful we can paint over it.”  I gave them the courage I didn’t have.

They laughed and chatted while they painted and timidly invited me to inspect their work.  I ignored the splotches of paint on the sheet draped carpet.  It was perfect.  No longer white, the canvas didn’t mock.  It invited and encouraged.  I taped up the stencil and poured shimmery gold paint into a tray.  It was runny and old and separated.  I stirred it with the end of the foam roller until it looked uniform in the pan.  Then I paused.  This was too easy.  I took down the stencil and measured and centered.  I had it right the first time.  With new confidence, I filled the roller, then matted it off on a clean part of the tray.  Rolling over the stencil, the paint refused to cover the rich blue ombre.  I rolled again, covered again.  It twinkled and winked.  I overlapped the stencil beside the pattern and rolled again.

Then it was done.  A few minutes of labor and the dream stood before me in it’s flawed glory.  The too thin paint, gone over too many times, stood in the gaps where blue should have been.  My 8 year old son stood beside me and breathed, “It’s beautiful.” I pointed out the ooze and he said, “That’s why it’s beautiful.  The flaws tell you a human being did this.  It adds value.”

Big Feather Canvas

While my teenage son was away at Scouts,  I snuck in his room to make ready the surprise.  Armfuls of smelly socks and dirty dishes moved to appropriate wash stations. New sheets, fluffed up feather pillows, dusting spray and a vacuum cleaner, removed the stress of the school year.  Two nails, measured with one eye, made a resting place for original human art.  The canvas asked for one thing more, a ribbon or strip of wood to hide it’s stapled edge. I promised I would, but not yet.  The boy would be home too soon….and then he was behind me, gasping his delight and approval.  100 plans came to his mind to tidy up more and decorate more.

The painting teens made a little video of the ombre backdrop.  I tried to film the stencil rolling, but apparantly I turned off the camera when I thought I was turning it on.  It really was just like rolling paint on a wall.  I only wish I had used less paint, or thicker paint and let it dry between coats.

 

My New Apron: Polka Dot Josie from Joyful Aprons

Josie Apron 2

I’m baking pumpkin stuff today in my new apron.  I love how lightweight the fabric is and the cute little pocket.  The style is very forgiving and adjustable.

Joyful Aprons

I’ve gained a lot of weight over the last 18 months and it’s hard for me to find things to wear that make me feel good about myself. As I get healthier, the weight is slowly coming off. Since this apron is adjustable it will wear with me through my health journey.

apron

My friend makes these as her home business.  Isn’t it fun to order from a cottage business once in awhile? The small scale production and attention to detail is a treat.  It’s such a pretty little package to get in the mail.

Joyful Aprons package

Smart Tiles Installation and Review

Smart Tiles Installation and ReviewMix month is still going strong and I have a big line up for you next week!  But for the weekend I wanted to show you some progress I’m making in the girl’s bathroom. In July, I’ll have a whole month of house projects and frugal nesting ideas for you–this is just a sneak peek :).

Smart Tiles generously supplied the tiles for this post (after I begged them) and I honestly thought I would have it up and ready for them in April.  If you remember, the space looked like this–very green:

Girl's bathroom before

I stripped the wallpaper and the popcorn ceiling and was stuck with how to repair this:

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…and many areas like it.  I finally hired a drywall guy to rescue me.  He was amazing and affordable and I wish I had called him months ago.

This week, I primed and painted the space.  It is white, white, white…from the ceiling to the floor.  To keep it from being boring and cold, I have lots of gold accents and dramatic floor to ceiling curtains planned. Plus texture from faux bamboo shades, terry cloth rugs, and hexagonal tiles.  These, to be exact. #onsalenow

I chose these tiles because I want the space done quickly without messing with concrete backer board, wet saws, adhesive or grout.  Yet, I needed something to look great, be durable, and create a waterproof area.  I was not disappointed.

Here’s a before and after picture:

Smart Tiles Before and After

The sink will eventually be white too.

I made a video for you showing how they work :).

New! Looka French Pastries

Looka Pastries

I was shopping at Wal-mart today grabbing things for Brandon’s birthday cake and saw these in the frozen section.  I think I misunderstood something, forehead smack.  You can just grab these, at the last minute and everything.  Genius.

Would you do this?  If you were having a special gathering of important people, would you like to have Delicious, Fresh Pastries delivered for the occasion?  Did you know that you can buy yummy French pastries in your frozen section and skip making homemade dessert?  If you bought them, what would you do with the extra time?  Clean? Spruce yourself up? Think of ways to make your guests more comfortable?

Sunday Lunch

We had a chance to find out.  Our guest was a young friend over to play with Dub after church.  Our pastries were a box of Macaroon cookies (vanilla, chocolate, raspberry and pistachio)

Macaroons

A Box of Key Lime cheesecake

Key Lime Cheesecake

and a box of Chocolate Mousse cake.

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They came packed in dry ice and thawed to a texture as fresh as if they were just baked and picked up from the bakery down the street. The kids were especially excited about the dry ice since their scientist uncle showed them how to use it to make homemade soda pop.

Frozen French Pastries

Here’s where my true character unfolds….

I hid the boxes of cake (since they had 2 servings each.)  Then we cut each of the cookies into 4 pieces and passed them around so everyone could taste every kind.  (Yes, we were that family you saw at the fair sharing a single funnel cake among 8 people.) Then I expressed amazement and delight over what a delicious and lovely treat we just had and dismissed all the children from the table.

Mousse Cake

When they were completely out of sight, I brought out the cakes.  And savored lingering bites with my husband.  When our two girls sauntered back into the kitchen, we shared a taste with them, and swore them to secrecy.

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Guilt got to me an hour later, so I baked chocolate chip cookies for the rest of the kids. Then I read the back of the boxes for the cakes and was amazed at how great the ingredients were.  It was pure, fresh, stuff that I would bake with in my own kitchen.  Except nothing that came out of my kitchen ever tasted this good. That didn’t mean the cakes were calorie free though and I ate well more than 1 serving….should have shared.

All of this was before my allergy free diet and I’m glad I had the experience. They were delicious..but the macaroons were our favorite. Especially the raspberry.

Would you consider having something like this delivered for a very special occasion?

If you’d like to know more about Looka pastries you can visit their website or Facebook page.