4 Saving Tips to Help You Afford All of the Luxuries You Want in Life

Save Money

Everyone enjoys indulging themselves now and then. However, if you're the type of person who wants all the best that life has to offer, then you're going to need an enhanced savings plan. Without a doubt, saving money on any level is good, but it takes some extra effort to always have the money available to use when you want to truly enjoy yourself. 

To help enhance your lifestyle, here are four savings tips to help you afford all of the luxuries you want in life.

Do-it-Yourself

A four-dollar cup of coffee isn't going to break the bank. However, a four-dollar cup of coffee every single morning for an entire year just might. Not including taxes, you'd spend almost $1,500 on coffee. That's a large chunk of change that could make for quite the luxurious purchase. 

Therefore, rather than gulping your money down, it makes sense to buy your own coffee gear so that you can make coffee exactly how you like it for a fraction of the cost. Even if you go all out and buy the best equipment, the cost of making your own coffee will quickly be recouped.

Think Ahead

If you're going to save a lot of money, you've got to have goals to shoot for. Sure, essentials like a retirement account and emergency fund are nice, but it's also important to have some fun goals to save for to help hold your interest. Make sure you know what you’re aiming for and have all the information you need to get there. 

Perhaps you're saving for a luxury yacht from somewhere like Naples Nantucket Yacht Group. Maybe you are looking to install a new indoor pool. Whatever you aim for, be sure to keep it front and center to help maintain your motivation.

Remove the Distractions

There are plenty of things in life that, while nice to have, aren't the ultimate in luxury. Therefore, it's important to look over your expenses and determine what you can eliminate to help you save money for those things that are truly worthwhile. 

Try to consider how much value you get out of things like monthly subscriptions, entertainment packages, and other ongoing costs to determine if they're worth keeping around. If they don't add value to your life, then it's time to kick those costs to the curb.

Flex Your Money Muscles

Cash that's sitting in a safe in the basement of your home isn't doing you any good. While it may be protected from loss, it's not doing any work to help you earn and save more money. 

That's why it's important to ensure that every cent possible is in some type of interest-bearing account to help grow your wealth. As you continue to earn money, this passive income becomes like a snowball rolling downhill, allowing you to achieve your savings goals more quickly.

When you're chasing after your savings goals, it can be easy to become distracted. Especially when you see people around you spending money on frivolous things, it can be tempting for you to spend money on those same frivolous things. By staying focused on what truly matters, though, you'll be able to avoid these temptations and be rewarded with a luxurious lifestyle that puts those around you to shame.

Legalities to Consider When Leaving an Inheritance to Minor Children in Your Will

If you are thinking of leaving bequests to minor children in your last will and testament, you should keep several things in mind. If the children receive an inheritance while they are still under the legal age of adulthood, gifts of value like money, investment shares, or anything of significant worth may be held in trust until they become adults. 

Here are considerations that may impact a child’s inheritance.

Child Custody

Children of divorced parents may be experienced with shared parenting, which means both parents oversee the financial interests of their kids. If an inheritance is left under the supervision of one parent or the other, it needs to be designated that way. 

Otherwise, either or both parents may try to gain control of the inheritance and possibly misuse it before the children reach legal adulthood.

Trusteeship

You can designate another relative or someone outside the family to serve as trustee of the children’s inheritance until they are old enough as stipulated in the bequest to receive the gift as an adult. However, the trustee should give consent and understand the terms of the bequest before you add that person to your Will. 

Considerations for any person to serve as trustee include that person’s age, health, and other responsibilities. For example, if the trustee is in the military before the kids reach legal age, could the trustee be serving overseas in a role that would make it difficult to return to the U.S. if needed?

Specific Designations

If you bequeath financial gifts to minor children without strings or guidance, the money can be used for anything when the kids grow up and receive the inheritance. If you want them to use the funds for college, travel, a car, or another specific expense, that should be clearly spelled out in your Will. 

If the gift is to be used for college, will the children receive it as soon as they enroll in college classes, when they successfully earn passing grades for a semester of courses, or when they receive a college degree?

Legal Questions

As you can see, leaving an inheritance for underage children can be challenging. It is important to be sure that your bequest is clearly explained and that the person you want to care for the gift until the children grow up is capable of doing so. Consult a trust attorney for help with arranging this type of inheritance so there will be no problems later.

Plan your bequests ahead of time by considering the details. Consult a legal authority who can help you make adequate arrangements for leaving minor children an inheritance.

5 Things You Should Do for Your Home This Summer

Summer is almost upon the world, which means it's time to ensure that your home is ready for the higher temperatures. Even if this summer may have fewer get-togethers where you live because of quarantining measures, that's no excuse to not keep your home properly taken care of.

After all, if you ignore simple maintenance tasks, you may wind up with bigger problems down the road. There are, of course, countless things you'll want to check in on before temperatures start to rise, but here are five of the most important things to do for your home this summer.

1. Tune-up your air conditioner.

If you're planning on spending time indoors to stay cool, you're definitely going to want to make sure that your HVAC system works. Many times, people wait until it's too late to get an appointment scheduled to have their HVAC serviced and wind up suffering through several days of hot, humid weather inside and out thanks to the rush of people trying to get appointments. 

Get ahead of the spike in demand and schedule your HVAC appointment now to make sure your AC's ready to go when the days get hotter.

2. Safeguard your pool.

If you're planning on swimming this summer, you'll want to make sure to perform a variety of maintenance tasks, from checking the levels of chlorine and other chemicals to cleaning out any debris that may be in there after last season. One of the most important aspects of any pool is the accessories that help keep it safe, especially if you have pets or young children at home. 

If you don't have the proper kind of pool fencing or cover, a pool fence company can help you fix your problem and create a safer outdoor space for all. Sadly, swimming pool deaths are common during summer months, so make sure to invest in a fence that keeps your backyard safe this summer.

3. Inspect your roof and your home's exterior.

The winter weather can cause all kinds of problems for your home's exterior. From damaging the roof due to heavy snow or hail to cracks in your home's siding, it's always a good idea to do a perimeter check of your house each spring or during the start of summer. 

Having this routine can help you catch problems before they become much irreparable, allowing you to nip them in the bud—rather than having to deal with a full-on roofing replacement (or worse!) later on.

4. Clean all windows and screens.

Cleaning your windows is a good idea since it keeps your house looking nice and lets you see the outdoors much better. Summer is a time when many animals come out and flowers begin to bloom, and you don't want to be looking outside through a smudged or dirty window.

If you've got window screens, you'll want to clear them of leaves, cobwebs, or any other detritus, too, since they can obstruct your view or aggravate your allergies if blown indoors when your windows are open on warm days.

5. Inspect your outdoor plumbing.

If you've got a hose spigot and plan on gardening, make sure to test it out to make sure no pipes froze and cracked over the winter. Getting this taken care of sooner than later can be especially important if you use your hose to fill up your pool or water your lawn with a sprinkler. 

Again, nobody wants to be stuck waiting for an appointment with a service professional when the weather truly gets hot, so do yourself a favor and double-check that everything is in good working order ahead of time.

What Are the Long-Term Cost Benefits of Newer Cars vs Used?

It is time to purchase another car. This is when the question of buying new or used tends to surface. Generally, people tend to lean towards a used car in hopes of spending less. Unfortunately, financially speaking, this may not be the best option to take. 

In fact, there are cost benefits that come with buying new cars that are often overlooked. Here are four cost benefits of buying a new car versus a used one.

Low Mileage

A newer car has low mileage on it. This makes a newer car far less likely to break down than a used car. It also tends to ensure that a newer car has not been in any accidents. As a consequence, a newer car will usually be more reliable, because it has not been driven as much as a used car.

The New Car Warrantee

One of the most important cost benefits of owning new cars is that they come with a warranty. This warranty is usually good for many thousands of miles, depending on the manufacturer’s terms. 

This way, if there is a major problem with the car that costs thousands of dollars to repair, chances are it will be covered by the warranty and not cost the owner of the car tons out of pocket to get fixed.

User Neglect

The problem with buying a used car is that you rarely know what the former owner did to that car. You also do not know what their driving and maintenance habits were like either. 



If they neglected the car considerably, this may not become evident until many months after the purchase date. This can lead to a number of expensive surprises with the car that ranges from oil leaks to a cracked master cylinder. 

Increased Resale Value

Another overlooked cost-benefit of buying a new car is that newer cars tend to resell for more than used cars. When a person buys a used car for between 1000 to 2000-dollars, chances are they will get little to nothing if they need to trade it in on another car purchase. Where a newer car, even after it has been driven for a few years, retains greater resale value.

Aside from all the cost benefits of purchasing a new car, newer cars tend to look and ride better than used beat-up cars. Plus, you want to feel good about making a quality car purchase even if it does initially cost you more upfront. There is something to be said about knowing you are driving a newer, reliable car and the peace of mind that comes with that decision.

Things to Ask Yourself Before Opening an Automotive Shop

Do you have a passion for working on vehicles? Have you ever dreamed of owning your own automotive shop? Starting a business can be costly, but ultimately rewarding. You could start from scratch, or purchase an existing automotive shop. 

An existing auto shop could best benefit you since it will already have an existing customer clientele and all the equipment necessary to start. Overall, research and experience are important. Here's what to ask yourself if you're thinking of opening your own shop.

Have you found the right location?

Having a few original locations picked out for your future auto shop is vital. No matter which state you live in, there are many (and different) zoning laws. Some laws prohibit auto shops from being located too close to residential properties. 

An auto shop in town will be more convenient for your potential customers. Choose an area that will provide easy access for vehicles of all shapes and sizes (avoid narrow streets, for instance). You’ll probably have lots of enormous trucks coming in and out with things like parts and tires.

Should I get certified?

Although it’s not required, getting your ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification tells potential customers you have two years of experience under your belt. ASE mechanics have the knowledge it takes to fix your vehicle. When customers see the white and blue labels, they will feel relieved knowing you are serious about your trade. 

Technicians must be tested every 5 years to keep up with the changing automotive technology. Depending on what type of auto shop you have, some technicians might need automotive and diesel certifications.

Do I know the initial costs?

It’s wise to have a plan in place around what exactly you want in your shop. If you’re buying an existing shop, it might only need minor upgrades. But a recent building could be more costly. Take into consideration things you’ll need like: 

• Insurance - $ 4,000/year
• Essential tools - $ 15,000
• Lifts (installed) - $ 4,000 each
• Diagnostic machines - $ 5,000–$ 10,000
• Rent – this can vary

It can cost around $50,000 to start your own auto shop. Note that this is not including employee salaries, potential space remodel fees, or marketing. Things can add up fast and you’ll want to make sure you have enough funds to cover the ultimate costs

What type of services will I offer?

While there are many types of automotive services, decide which you will offer. Regular auto servicing shops would be a place customers bring their car regularly for routine services. Other shops specialize in only specific services like mufflers and brakes. You may come across an auto shop that might buy used cars in Nigeria. 

This online auction mall auctions off used cars from all over the world. An auto shop can fix used cars to re-sell if that's something you're interested in and have to experience with. Used cars could also come in handy if the shop needs spare parts for specific cars. It’s best to know of an automotive shop that offers a wide verity of services.

Who should be hired?

The type and size of your shop will determine how many people you should hire. Hiring certified technicians who have years of experience will help maintain a stable and trustworthy team. It’s important to make your shop a place technicians want to be. Offer fair pay to those with adequate experience. Hire a receptionist to keep up with the front desk. To help recruit your team, try attending job fairs, or posting job listings online.

Creating a new business can be stressful. Most people are leery about who they trust to work on their vehicles. Be sure to be the most trusted shop in town. Advertise your new shop online or on the radio so people will know your open. With determination and knowledge, you’ll be up and running in no time.

These 5 Tips Could Increase Your Lifespan

Staying healthy requires an ongoing effort. You need to have a plan and stick to it if you want to change your life for the better, but knowing where to start planning in the first place can be difficult if you haven't already had the opportunity to both learn and practice a healthy lifestyle. If you feel like you need to live a healthier life but don't know how, here are five things to consider.

Food

One of the main ways to improve your health is to make sure that you are consuming a diet that is healthy for you. Adding more vegetables to your meals can lead to big improvement by itself, and you don't need to resign yourself to a meal that tastes bad if you find them unpalatable. 

Replacing salt with other spices can go a long way in making your food more interesting, and some spices like cinnamon even boast an impressive number of antioxidants.

Fitness

Whether you are getting enough exercise or not is another important factor to think about. Many people try to fit more exercise into their schedules with varying degrees of success, and many fitness-related New Year's Resolutions end up being abandoned by mid-January. 

While this might highlight the difficulty most people face when trying to be more active, the benefits both for your health and your wallet are substantial. If you end up needing to search for life insurance with iSelect, you have a decent chance of being considered for a lower premium as a result of your healthier lifestyle presenting a lower risk of becoming a liability.

Hydration

Water composes a large portion of our bodies, so staying hydrated is essential as well. While you don't need to go as far as to constantly be drinking water, it turns out that it is likely that not enough people are getting enough to drink. 

Making sure you drink enough water can help you stay energetic and attentive in addition to other basic health benefits, like the replacement of the water you lose through sweating. So don't be afraid to keep lots of water in your car if you are going to be out all day.

Avoiding Stress

Stress, while necessary in some circumstances, is not healthy to keep around if you can get rid of it. Being stressed all of the time can cause quite a few health problems in the long term, like heart damage, a less effective immune response, and weight gain. Being stressed on occasion is normal, but if you find yourself stressed out too often, then you should take a moment to relieve stress by taking a few deep breaths or somehow finding humor in your situation. 

Vacations might not be out of the question, either, as staying focused on something you enjoy can be another way to relieve stress—be it through painting, bodyboarding lessons, or even a particular aspect of your job that keeps you focused.

Sleep

You should also do your best to get enough sleep. Sleep is often underestimated, and trying to avoid it too often can cause memory problems and make you more emotional overall. Make sure that you get to bed and wake up at a consistent time every day after sleeping for eight to ten hours.

While there are peripheral benefits to staying healthy, like lower costs when you compare life insurance, you should mainly try to focus on what is important to you. This article is no substitute for a professional medical opinion, but people generally tend to live longer if they try to stay optimistic or generally remain in high spirits. There is, indeed, a value in comfort, and this should be a factor when you decide to improve your life.