With so many of us separated from friends and family due to the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to reach out. I love to send and receive holiday cards. Paper is better than virtual, but E-cards are a good option for those who don’t want to spend money.
Jewish Boston is offering free cards for Rosh Hashanah. There are 4 designs to choose from; I like the image above best. It will literally take less than a minute to personalize a card and let someone know that you care.
It wouldn’t be 4th of July without some red, white and blue goodies. Rather than a super-sweet flag cake or a mayo-drenched potato salad, I’m trying out a new recipe for breakfast parfaits from So Festive.
According to the author, they only require 5 minutes of prep time and are made with yogurt, berries and granola. Sounds good, right?
Normally, I would use strawberries. After seeing how pretty the raspberries look in her picture, I’m definitely using those this year.
The predicted temperature around here will be 90 degrees, with high humidity, so a cold dish sounds like heaven. As a side note, local fireworks have been canceled, which makes me sad. I LOVE America and I love this holiday in particular. We’ll watch the Macy’s show on TV, but it’s not the same as in person.
If anyone has a good 4th of July recipe, please share!
Check your cabinets for any hand sanitizer that was manufactured by Esk Biochem, made in Mexico. The FDA has recalled 9 products from the company because they contain dangerous chemicals that could cause terrible reactions and possibly even death.
Products on the list:
Full article is on the FDA website.
I have honestly never heard of this brand or it’s sub-labels. I don’t know where it was sold, but it’s better safe than sorry so trash anything questionable. I double checked my stockpile; nothing was wrong with my stash—still scary, anyway!
While I like and regularly use hand sanitizer, especially during the pandemic, it is not required. Simply washing your hands often with soap and water is most important. Also, it’s simple to make your own hand sanitizer; it’s just rubbing alcohol and aloe vera gel.
The excitement of buying a new home is incomparable; from touring that first property to closing the deal, it’s a wild rollercoaster ride. For most, it’s a symbol of adulthood and security. Everyone has to live somewhere, right? The only hard part is affording the dream. Such a large purchase can mean decades of debt, so it’s important to have a game plan.
If you’re ready to buy that new home, but don’t want to live house-poor, here are some ways to budget so you can have it all.
Research The Market
The most crucial part of budgeting for a home is to know what you can afford. Look at local listings and find the average. If you already own a home and will be swapping, remember that the cost of selling a house adds to your closing fees as well, which should get taken into consideration.
Once you’ve got a ballpark number in mind, start saving for the down payment. Typically, this price ranges between ten and fifty thousand dollars, which is more than most Americans have in their savings. Don’t expect to save it up overnight. It will take time! Little by little, month by month.
Save For More Than The Home
Your savings shouldn’t just be for your house purchase price, but also maintenance and repairs. Keep separate savings for emergencies, at least two thousand dollars, that you can put towards any unexpected expenses. You don’t want to buy your home, and then miss payments because you put your emergency funds into it.
Make Your Savings Untouchable
A lot of people have trouble keeping their savings safe. Instead of just tossing your money into an easily-reached savings account, there are other options. Bonds make sure that your money can’t be touched for some time, while also gaining interest on top of it. Make sure to only create safe, smart, slow return investments.
Be Honest About Your Finances
Don’t tell yourself that you’ll suddenly save six hundred dollars more a month than you have before. Drastic changes are difficult and very unlikely to stick long term. It’s okay to have fun and indulge, provided you’re setting aside a reasonable amount. Maybe instead of spending money on movie theatres every week, make a big event of streaming a movie in the den, with some yummy snacks and drinks. Remember that a budget allows for all your needs and wants, just not everything on the same day.
Your home is going to be the place where you feel safe and comfortable. This is a big decision. It requires planning and effort. Don’t rush into it. Buying a home should be a good experience, and when done on a budget, most of the stress can be eliminiated.