Beating Broke

Personal Finance from the Broke Perspective

4 Budget-Friendly Travel Tips

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Traveling on a shoestring budget is a lot cheaper than you think. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to see the world and do new and exciting things. To save money on travel and travel comfortably on a budget, check out these four budget-friendly tips.

Flexibility is Key

If you want to travel on a budget, you have to be flexible. Being flexible with your dates and times can make travel a lot more affordable. You can find incredibly amazing experiences in the spur of the moment. Sometimes, same-day planning can really pay off when you’re traveling. For example, tropical activities like swimming with dolphins or sharks might be cheaper if you book the day of and take advantage of last-minute cancelations. Activities like swimming with sharks can be found in places like Hawaii and other islands. A lot of people chicken out at the last minute and leave their slot open. The shark tourism industry generates about $314 million every year. This incredibly popular activity can make for some wonderful memories. Stay flexible with your travel plans.

Save on Lodging

You can save money on travel by moving out of the epicenter of the tourist areas. You may have to travel a little bit to get to the sights but the savings can be significant. Another way to save on lodging is to look into renting a timeshare. About 84% of resorts that have timeshare programs also have rental programs. These resorts offer all the bells and whistles. You can save on lodging costs because you’re using a timeshare that someone else cannot use. It is a win-win situation for everyone.

Another way to save on lodging is to find someone that is traveling to the same place and at the same time that you are and offer to split costs. It’s a great way to meet new people and to keep travel budget-friendly. There are groups online of singles that want to travel with other people to save money. Consider joining a travel forum. You can also stay in a venue that offers free breakfast or discounted rates on meals. Eating out constantly while traveling gets really expensive. Plan on eating only two or three meals out and making your own food if you can.

Travel During the Off Season

Every destination has an in-season and off-season. If you travel during the off-season, you can expect to find a lot of budget-friendly options for lodging, activities, and more. Of course, you will miss out on the crowds as well. However, there is one drawback — a lot of off-season areas have limited activities during the off-season.

Use Available Discounts

If you are a student, there are discounts out there for student travel. If you are a current or former member of the military, there are discounts for you as well. Take advantage of any and all discounts you can find. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to stack up the discounts and get some amazing savings. There are a lot of people that travel frequently enough that know where to find discounts. Consider joining a social media group that is focused on budget travel to get some tips on where and how to find discounts.

About 37% of U.S. citizens have never left their hometowns, while about 63% have moved to other communities. It’s possible that many of the people that never left their hometown have never traveled outside their own state. Don’t let a small budget keep you planted where you are. Travel for less by following these tips.

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Internet Bill

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It’s no secret that your Internet bill can take a chunk out of your monthly budget. The good news is that there are a few key ways that you can lower your bill. Since the internet is an essential part of many people’s work and home lives, you’ll want to apply these tips to your life to save some money.

1. Lower Your Data Usage

In many situations, your bill is based on how much data you use. The more data your activities require, the bigger bite this will take out of your budget. Think about how you can lower your data usage. For instance, if you’re running a server, the amount of RAM you’ll need is dependent on what you’re running and how many players you have. If you’re running Vanilla Minecraft on a small server, 2 to 3 GB or more is recommended. Adjust this to your personal situation.

If you are using data to browse the internet, spend as much time hooked up to wi-fi as possible. Take advantage of the wi-fi available in public places and make sure that you’re always connected to your home network if you have one. This will help lower your data usage, as well as your bill.

2. Consider Switching Your Server

If you do business online, you likely use a hosting company to do so. These companies all charge different rates for their services, so take some time to look at all of your options. The global web hosting industry is estimated to grow from a value of $102 billion to $321.5 billion by 2025. This means there are many different options available to you. Some may offer the same services you’re receiving now, but at a lower cost. If you take the time to shop around, you can save money on your internet bill.

3. Buy Your Own Modem and Router

When you sign up for internet service, your provider will offer you a modem and router to use. While this is convenient, you are charged for this service. These expenses can add up, taking unnecessary money out of your budget each month. Consider purchasing your own modem and router to use with the internet service you sign up for. According to The Spruce, small appliances like these require 15-amp circuits in order to work. If you have access to these circuits, then you’ll only need to pay a one-time charge to get your hardware. The monthly savings will make up for that initial investment.

4. Ask for Discounts

It never hurts to ask about discounts and promotions. Internet providers are in competition with each other, so they want to both attract new clients and hang onto the ones they already have. These could include monthly rate reductions, rebates, or other promotions. If you’re looking to cut your internet costs, call your provider and ask what kinds of discounts they have available. This is a simple step that can save you a lot of money.

5. Research Government Programs

The government is aware that internet access is no longer a luxury. People need it for things like job applications, medical care, and access to public services. This is why many places have programs that can help you afford internet access if you’re struggling. Look into discount programs through your local, state, and federal governments. Many will have certain requirements you’ll need to meet, but if you do, it can save a lot of money on your monthly budget.

Internet access is essential, but it can also be expensive. If you’re trying to save money on your internet bill, apply these tips to your life. By planning ahead and taking a few simple steps, you can cut this part of your budget significantly.

4 Tips for Saving Money on Your HVAC System

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One of the most expensive costs of managing your home is related to your HVAC system. Your HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) can gobble up energy and drive up the cost of managing your home. Cooling and heating account for about 48% of energy costs. Reducing costs associated with your HVAC system will lower your overall costs for home management. Follow these four tips for cutting costs.

Change Your Filters Regularly

Changing the filters on your HVAC system can help to reduce costs. Filters help to keep the airflow moving smoothly through your system, which helps to reduce the load on your system. In other words, changing the air filters frequently will improve your energy efficiency. This simple step can also extend the life of your system. You can expect the average furnace to have a life span of around 15-20 years. If you take care of it, you may be able to extend it beyond those years. Changing your filters at least once a month will help you to cut the cost of running your home.

Clear Away Debris

Keep outdoor units clear of debris. HVAC systems depend heavily on unobstructed airflow. Grass clippings, leaf litter, and other organic debris should regularly be removed from around your outdoor HVAC equipment. Making it a habit to clean the outside of your home and keeping bushes and other plants from becoming overgrown near your HVAC system is an easy way to cut the operating costs of your HVAC system. You should clear debris each week. You can use a water hose to clean the unit itself. Never use a high-pressure hose or you could damage the coils on the unit.

Have Professional Tune-Ups

One of the easiest ways to keep costs down on home repairs is to ensure that all your essential systems are getting the maintenance that’s needed. Your HVAC system should get annual professional maintenance. An HVAC “tune-up” can help to keep your system in top condition and help reduce the costs of operating your home. An HVAC inspection can reveal if there are any problems that need to be addressed. The service also includes cleaning up your system and making sure that all the components are in top working condition. It’s an affordable service that every homeowner should subscribe to. Taking care of the systems in your home is one of the most effective ways to keep costs down.

Make The Job Easier for Your HVAC System

About 25%-30% of heat and cooling loss occurs because of old faulty windows and doors. Sometimes, to cut home management costs and reduce the cost of your HVAC system, you must invest time and money. While replacing all of your windows right now may not be within the budget, there are other things that you can do to help your HVAC system work more efficiently. Check for drafts and use weather stripping to seal the drafts. You can also use a clear plastic sealer on your windows to help improve energy efficiency. Even small changes add up to savings on your home HVAC usage. Caulk any spaces around your window. Check your attic for areas that may need attention. If you can afford to invest in new windows, that will be a game changer for your home and for cutting costs. If you cannot do what you can to seal out the elements and reduce drafts.

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that if they are not using a room in their home, they should close the vents. Your system is designed to work with all the registers open. Another error is constantly changing the temperature of the thermostat. Set it and forget it. Follow these tips to save money on heating and cooling costs in your home, and to extend the life of your HVAC system.