Do you want to take a vacation, but feel like you don’t have the funds to make it happen? You may have many more options than you think. There are a multitude of ways to save money on a wonderful trip: Going on a group vacation with friends or family can trim costs exponentially, and procuring affordable accommodations, such as at a hostel, can save you hundreds. And if you can plan your trip well in advance, you can set up a vacation fund.
Casey SlideCasey Slide lives with her husband and baby in Atlanta, GA. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and worked for a prominent hospital in Atlanta. With the birth of Casey’s son in February 2010, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom. Casey’s interests include reading, running, living green, and saving money.
10 Best U.S. Cities to Visit on a Budget
Casey Slide
17 Tips to Deal With Workplace Burnout & Job Stress
Casey Slide
Do you find yourself going through the motions every day at work? Are you physically showing up for the job, but leaving your mind elsewhere? Are you feeling detached from what formerly gave you joy and fulfillment? If so, you are likely suffering from workplace burnout.
Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that is brought on by a long period of stress. It can leave you feeling empty and incapable, and such feelings can impact aspects of your life beyond the workplace. It’s a common problem that many suffer from, regardless of profession.
Reentering the Workforce After Kids – Tips & Ideas
Casey Slide
Just as there are many reasons to leave your job to become a stay-at-home parent, there are many reasons why you may choose to go back to work. Many stay-at-home parents go back to work once the kids are in school or have left the nest.
For other families, there are financial reasons driving the decision to return to the workforce. Others still may find the life of a stay-at-home parent to be challenging and isolating. Whatever the reason, going back to work is often easier than it sounds.
How to Eat Healthy in College
Casey Slide
According to an extensive survey conducted by the federal government on college weight gain, college freshmen gain an average of nearly eight pounds during the school year – most of it in their first semester. While 14% of students are considered overweight or obese before entering college, 17% are overweight or obese by the end of that first year.
Unfortunately, the weight-gaining does not end there. Students studied in the survey gained an additional couple of pounds during their second year as well. So with the odds stacked against college students, how can you eat healthy while on a college student’s budget?
What Is Freezer Burn – Causes & How to Prevent It When Freezing Food
Casey Slide
One of my favorite hobbies is to try to save money on groceries. It’s a challenging and never-ending process of searching ads, clipping coupons, and shopping strategically. While these methods do save my family a lot, I am always looking for the next big tip on how to drastically reduce our food bill.
Recently, I observed how much money we waste by throwing out spoiled food and how much we save by freezing. This has been a great benefit to my family, except for one thing: freezer burn.
What Is Industrial Engineering – Why You Should Consider It as a College Major
Casey Slide
Many teens exiting high school or “undeclared” college freshman are at an uncertain time in their lives: They may have interests and subjects they enjoy, but simply don’t know what they want to pursue for work after graduation.
However, many may not even be aware of a major that could lead to an interesting and prosperous career: industrial engineering. While industrial engineering is not the most well-known engineering discipline, it is the most diverse amongst the many professional engineering fields of study.
Green Laundry Wash Ball & Nellie’s Dryer Balls Review
Casey Slide
My little laundry area was cramped, messy, and hot – my least favorite room in the house! The storage space and shelves in the laundry room were packed with cleaning supplies, while gummy detergent spills and dryer sheets seemed to adhere to every surface.
However, as hard as I tried to clean and clear out that room, nothing seemed to work. I needed to save space and money. I tried to make my own homemade laundry detergent which solved the cost issue, but the process was time-consuming and I was still left with little storage space. Additionally, I also wished to reduce the time I spent drying my clothes, which would save on electricity and wear-and-tear on my dryer.
7 Homemade Photo Crafts That Make Great Gifts
Casey Slide
Every family seems to have a member who either has everything, or desires nothing – yet we still feel obligated to give them a gift during the holidays. Oftentimes, too much money is spent on a gift they barely use.
This year, give up on buying expensive gifts. If you have children, make something that everyone in your family will love: homemade gifts featuring pictures of your kids. Not only will they love these gifts, but they’re fun crafts to make and they will save you time and money as opposed to wandering through the crowded shopping malls.
How to Save Money on Groceries – Top 20 Ways to Save
Casey Slide
When I was in my twenties, I didn’t care how much I would spend at the grocery store. When the shelves of my refrigerator or pantry became bare, I would simply drive to the nearest store and put whatever items looked appetizing into my cart. I rarely prepared home-cooked meals, and would need to run to the store to get an ingredient or two if I did have an inkling to cook something.
9 Fun and Frugal Thanksgiving Activities, Games, and Crafts Ideas for Kids
Casey Slide
The first thing that usually comes to most people’s minds when they think about Thanksgiving is eating. There’s turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. But as you know, Thanksgiving is also a time for you to get together with your family and friends. Whether you will be celebrating with a few close friends or your entire extended family, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to spend quality time with those you love. This year, turn off the TV and video games, walk away from the computer, skip the movies, and instead, socialize with those you care about.
Cooking with Kids – 10 Tips & Easy Healthy Recipes
Casey Slide
It can be tricky to cook a meal when you have little ones running around. Most kids become tired and hungry as the day comes to a close, and they often demand your attention when it is time for you to prepare dinner. So how do you meet both of these demands?
The answer is simple: include your kids in the process of cooking. That’s a scary thought, right? It certainly can be, but if you were previously trying to juggle cooking while entertaining the kids, having your kids help might actually make meal preparation less daunting.
8 Unique Homemade DIY Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids & Adults
Casey Slide
As Halloween approaches, if you haven’t yet decided on costumes for your family, you may start to feel the pressure of the clock ticking. And if you want to make your own do-it-yourself costumes for Halloween, the pressure can increase even further, as homemade costumes take several months of planning, and days or weeks to assemble.
You may have time to make costumes, but cost also factors into DIY costumes, especially if you need to buy pre-made items in order to save time. If making DIY Halloween costumes take a lot of your time and money, the fun factor can quickly dissipate.
Reuseit Review – Reusable Lunch Bags and Bottles to Go Green
Casey Slide
Going green is all the rage right now and for good reason. If you’re like me, however, the desire is there, but the know-how is lacking. An obvious way to protect our planet is to recycle and reuse household items. But when it comes down to finding ways to reuse, my brain seems to lack the creativity and innovation necessary to come up with practical solutions.
It turns out that I’m not alone, and luckily, there is an awesome company whose mission is to help the recycling-challenged become recycling-savvy. The company is called Reuseit, and they specialize in selling reuseable products made from long-lasting materials to ensure you never have to buy disposable again.
17 Ways to Save on Cheap Halloween Costumes for Kids & Adults
Casey Slide
At the beginning of October each year, my neighbors at the end of my street start getting really excited. As their favorite holiday approaches, decorations start to multiply in their yard almost daily. Spiders, gravestones, skeletons, bats, and ghosts overtake the end of my street until Halloween night finally arrives. That’s when the real show begins as my neighbors come out in elaborate, and horrific, costumes to scare the trick-or-treaters away for some Halloween fun.
10 Reasons Why You Should NOT Lend Money to Friends & Family
Casey Slide
“Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” These famous words came from Polonius, Shakespeare’s chief counselor to King Claudius in Hamlet. As Polonius gives some fatherly advice to his son Laertes, Shakespeare gives some timeless advice to us: Do not lend money to friends.
Why shouldn’t we lend money to friends and family? Polonius answers that in his next line: “For loan oft loses both itself and friend.” Polonius knew that a loan to a friend or family member often results in the loss of both the money and the relationship.
