Being a mom is a full-time job, one for which you receive no paycheck. Often, the only thanks you get is a perfunctory Mother’s Day card with an even less inspiring message. You might also get a vase of fresh flowers that will wilt in a few days because as a full-time mom, you don’t really have time to also be a botanist. Your small children aren’t going to show you the appreciation you deserve because they neither know nor care about the many sacrifices you made to get them that box of cereal adorned with anthropomorphic, cartoon animals.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best choice for breakfast cereal. But you are doing the best you can. Meanwhile, your two-year-old is throwing fistfuls of it on the floor and stomping on it for the sheer joy of the crunching sound it makes. When are you supposed to have time to do anything else that is just as demanding as parenting? It is never going to be easy or without sacrifice. But you can do it with a little help from the universe. Other than waiting on that help, here are some things worth doing, and some advice on how to get them done:

Start a Home Business

If you are a stay home mom, you’re already home. That is half of home business. Now, it is just a matter of doing the business part of it. As you already know, that’s the hard part. There are many such businesses you can start without a giant government loan. That’s where yourcredit builder loan comes in handy. It is a lot more straightforward than other methods of getting emergency funds.

Some of the most interesting and successful businesses started out with out of work single moms who had no idea how they were going to make it all come together.Single moms are a part of the backbone of American business and ingenuity. If you prefer not to take out a loan, you will likely find other people who will partner with you and provide the initial capital. You can also turn to crowdsourcing outlets such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter. Raising capital for your venture is one of the easier aspects of getting started these days. The hardest part is just believing that you can do it. Conquer that, and you are well on your way to becoming another home business success story.

Going Back to School

The thing about going back to school is it sounds a lot like going backward. That is generally considered the wrong direction for someone trying to move forward in life. That said, if you are ever going to go back for anything, it should be to complete your education.Even a working mom can go back to school.

There are many reasons to go back and finish a diploma or college degree. It is going to be vitally important that your kids finish school and get their degree. It will be vitally important that you set the right example when it is time to convince them to stay in school. Even without kids, there is the immediate benefit of increasing your paycheck. With every degree you get, you can expect to make more money in your current field and have more opportunities to advance. You will be doing your online classes while changing diapers. It will not be easy. But it is possible. When you have accomplished it, everything else you do in life will be easier.

Being an Active Citizen

Some moms check out of politics and activism because they are too busy being a mom. But one of the most important aspects of being a mom is creating a better and safer world for your children. Moms are the people who can least afford to check out. If you want a greener planet, a fairer workforce, and a more level playing field for your children, you have to make the time to fight for it right now. There is surely something you went through that you don’t want them to go through. Now is the time to pave the better way for your children.

Starting a family business, completing your education, and active citizenship are worthwhile in and of themselves. As a busy mom, you might think they are beyond your reach. But being a mom is what such goals were made for.

If you are engaged to be married, then wedding planning is something that you probably think about every day. You may be surprised by how expensive wedding planning can be as you start to research the subject. Fortunately, it is possible to plan a low-cost wedding without making it less magical. Some of the best ceremonies are simple and intimate, with just enough do-it-yourself elements tossed in the mix. Here are some tips that can help you to save on wedding expenses without making the ceremony or reception any less magical:

Tip No 1: Try Out Some Do It Yourself Tips

DIY weddings have become hugely popular in recent years. These ceremonies can have a beautiful aesthetic if executed correctly. DIY decorations, invitations, place cards, and thank you notes make great touches for any wedding ceremony. These items can be easily customized to meet your preferences. They also can help you to save money and potentially save the environment as well.

Tip No 2: Plan an Off-Season Wedding

If you want to save money on wedding planning, you may want to plan an off-season wedding. There are many wonderful fall wedding ideas to consider, especially if you like outdoor ceremonies. Autumn leaves make a great outdoor wedding backdrop, and autumn lends an excellent theme to the wedding as well. If you prefer indoor ceremonies, you may find that it is cheaper to rent an event space during the off-season. Winter-themed weddings are also beautiful when decorated and planned correctly.

Tip No 3: Host an Intimate Ceremony

The per-person cost of hosting a wedding ceremony and reception can be surprising for couples who have not done much research. Elopements and intimate ceremonies allow you to save money by paying to host fewer people. There is no reason to feel guilty for excluding a distant relative or rude coworker from your wedding invitation list. Intimate ceremonies with just a few close friends and family members included as guests can be especially memorable. There is less chaos to manage at this type of ceremony. Depending on the size of your guest list, you may not even need a wedding planner for an intimate ceremony or elopement.

Tip No 4: Opt for an Alcohol-Free Reception

When planning the wedding reception, it can be challenging to decide between different alcohol options. Guests often encourage wedding hosts to opt for costly open bar receptions. If you are looking for a way to save money on your wedding, you may want to host a dry reception. This will allow you to budget more money for dinner, appetizers, cake, or whatever else you decide to serve to your guests. You can still have a beautiful reception without serving alcohol. If you have any family members or friends who get rowdy when they drink, an alcohol-free reception will be especially beneficial.

Tip No 5: Find A Wedding Planner Who Understands Your Budget

Wedding planners understand that not all couples have tens of thousands of dollars to spend on their ceremonies and receptions. Wedding planners can help you to find venues, decorators, entertainment options like bands and DJs, food catering services, cake bakers, photographers, and other needs that all fall within your budget range. They also may have access to insider exclusive discounts and information. Budget-friendly wedding planners exist, and they can make or break your wedding planning process if used correctly.

Wedding planning does not always have to be expensive. Low-cost ceremonies can be just as magical as those which cost thousands of dollars. These tips can help you host a beautiful, low-cost ceremony that you will remember for the rest of your life. Your wedding should be one of the most beautiful days of your life, not one of the most expensive.

Insurance policies are often expensive and unpredictable because insurance providers decide how much to charge for a cover based on several variables. Consequently, it is often a challenge to navigate your insurance bill to find ways to reduce them. Here are some ways to cut the amount you remit for your insurance coverage.

Compare Prices

An excellent way to save on any insurance policy is to shop around. Premiums vary widely among insurance providers, even for the same coverage. Some insurers have higher costs than others do for a particular policy or age group. Get quotes from various policy providers and compare their rates. However, cheap does not always translate to a good deal; check other factors like creditworthiness and the insurer’s financial strength.

Raise Your Deductible

Deductibles refer to the money that one pays before the insurance provider begins to insure. Choosing a higher deductible on your insurance can significantly lower your premium expenditures. However, you will need to set aside enough money to pay the higher deductibles. Thus, if you are in good financial shape, increasing your deductibles will lower your premiums but retain your cover in case of significant damages.

Pay Annually

Paying for your auto insurance in a lump sum is cheaper than paying monthly payments. When you pay monthly, it becomes a loan with interest. Due to the significant upfront cost, it is sometimes impossible to pay the annual amount in one go. An excellent solution would be to pay on a zero percent credit card and clear the balance before the end of the interest-free period.

Weigh the Pros and Cons of Guaranteed Issue Policies

Some insurance companies offer guaranteed issue policies for a higher premium. For instance, life insurance without a medical exam is likely to cost more than a conventional policy. Due to the ease of getting coverage, a guaranteed issue policy may appear like a good deal. However, insurers often assume that those who apply for this cover may have existing medical issues. If you are healthy, a conventional cover with medical underwriting would be a good deal. The guaranteed issue policy may be the only option if you have health issues.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can reduce your life expectancy and raise your insurer’s risk of having to compensate for a death benefit. Consequently, the life insurance rate for a smoker is usually twice or thrice more than that for nonsmokers. Policy providers often check for evidence of nicotine in the bloodstream during a medical examination. You can get a lower coverage rate by quitting smoking. However, you need to quit smoking for over a year for insurers to consider you a nonsmoker.

Bundle Policies

Bundling insurance means purchasing more than one policy from the same insurance company, often at a discount. If you have a life or homeowner’s policy, check with the company how much you would save by including all your policies under one roof. Bundling your policy can save you as much as ten percent or more. However, just because a policy provider offers a bundle discount does not imply they are the best option. You will still prefer that the company you already hold policies with will offer the most affordable bundled cover.

Buy a Car with Lower Premiums

While buying a high-end SUV or sports car may sound exciting, insuring these cars is more expensive than insuring a lower-cost commuter vehicle. Insurance providers have different rating classes based on the type of vehicle you drive. This may mean buying a new car or replacing your current high-end vehicle with one that will attract low premiums. Some insurance coverage providers will give a discount if you purchase a hybrid or an alternative fuel automobile.

Do Not Over-Insure Your Home

Do not insure your home for the amount you paid during purchase; insure for the cost that it would take to rebuild the home. The amount you pay when purchasing a home includes the price for the land and the house. Depending on your home’s location and the time of purchase, the price could be relatively higher than the rebuilding cost. You will pay too much if you insure for more. On the other hand, you do not want to under-insure your home. Inadequate coverage may lead to crippling expenses in case of damages.

Healthcare expenses are a leading cause of debt in America. It’s estimated more than 50 percent of personal bankruptcies are the direct result of healthcare expenses. The rising cost of medical care in America shows no signs of slowing. But there are ways to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

Here are five tips for spending less on healthcare.

1. Choose a Hospital that has a Contract Management System

Hospitals with healthcare contract management systems are able to provide patients with more affordable treatment options. That’s because administrative costs are a contributor to the high cost of healthcare in America. A contract management system helps get administrative costs under control.

An efficient contract management system helps hospitals:

– Provide better patient care

– Reduce administrative costs

– Mitigate risk

– Comply with legal healthcare requirements

A contract management system benefits hospitals and patients. It makes it easier for hospitals to operate as efficiently as possible. And hospitals with healthcare contract management systems are able to provide patients with more affordable treatment options.

2. Maintain Your Health

The best way to save money on healthcare is to take care of yourself. It’s possible to lower your risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol with diet and exercise.

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, and regularly exercising lowers your risk for several health problems. This helps you avoid the need for medications, medical tests, and treatments that are often expensive.

3. Save Money on Prescription Medications

The average American spends $177 yearly for out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Some ways to reduce this expense include:

– Use generic medications. A generic drug has the same active ingredients as a name-brand drug. The only difference is that one drug has a brand name on it and the other does not.

For example, the drug acetaminophen is the same as Tylenol. The difference is Tylenol is a brand name. You can purchase generic acetaminophen for less than you’d pay for Tylenol. The same is true for several prescription drugs. You can save money by opting for the generic brand of prescription medication.

– Choose a cheaper name-brand medication that offers the same benefit. There are usually several medications that treat the same illness. And the price of medication is determined by its manufacturer. If one medication is too expensive, ask your doctor if there’s a less expensive option.

4. Use a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Care Savings Account (HSA)

HSAs and FSAs allow you to set aside pre-tax money for health care costs. And you don’t pay taxes when you withdraw funds for a qualified medical expense.

A high-deductible health insurance plan is needed to qualify for an HSA. And the government determines what qualifies as high-deductible. The government also determines how much you can contribute to an HSA.

An FSA is available only as part of a job benefits package. Unlike an HSA (which you own), you can’t get an FSA on your own. Any money you’ve saved in an FSA expires at the end of the year. In other words, you must use it within the year or lose it. The only exception is if your employee chose to provide a rollover option.

5. Use Outpatient Facilities

When possible, have surgeries and procedures performed at outpatient clinics. You can often get the same treatment performed at an outpatient clinic for less than you’d pay at a hospital.

Some people think outpatient facilities aren’t as good as hospitals. However, that’s not true. Well-trained professionals in outpatient facilities provide the same level of care provided to patients in hospitals. It’s cheaper because outpatient facilities have lower administrative expenses.

Look for More Ways to Save on Medical Expenses

The tips in this article should make your healthcare costs more manageable. But these tips are only a few out of many. Take time to research and see what other options you discover.