PUT MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET EACH MONTH

Reviewing your monthly expenses once a year is a great practice to get into. As you look at your monthly budget, you will find some expenses that are fixed, like your rent or mortgage, car payments, and child care expenses. But there are several other common monthly expenses that should be reviewed and re-negotiated each year.

Call your current car insurance provider and shop other providers to make sure you have the lowest possible premium at that time. Contact your cell phone carrier to make sure you have the best and lowest cost package currently available. Shop health insurance each year to make sure you are covered at the best possible price. Contact your gym to make sure you are paying the best current pricing for your membership.

Research your cable and internet provider’s offers online then give them a call to make sure you have the best pricing for your services. Cable and internet companies often have promotions or package pricing that could be lower than your current bill. Do an audit of all online and app subscriptions you have to make sure you are not paying monthly fees for apps you signed up for in the past that you are no longer using. You will be surprised what the small fees add up to!

Don't stop here! Analyze your monthly recurring payments and see how many of them you can bring down. The compound effect will give you a nice monthly raise.

ABOUT FENG SHUI

More than likely, you’ve heard about feng shui at one time or another throughout your life. But for those who have not adopted its ideas into their daily lives, this ancient Chinese discipline still may mystify you.

According to Forbes and author of The Happy Home Patricia Lohan, practicing feng shui allows you to “align your home for the highest good of you, your life, your business, your relationships, and the home itself.” This discipline takes a look at object placement in the home and how it can affect its energy. The goal is to create a space that becomes “magnetic to joy, love, pleasure, and abundance.” 

If you’re interested in using feng shui in your home, here are a few simple ideas to get you started.

Make sure your foyer is open, bright, inviting, and devoid of clutter and dirt to allow good energy to flow in. Your bed represents you, your desk represents your career, and your stove represents your wealth. When you’re in any of these spaces, make sure you can see the door without being directly in line with it to receive positive energy and the best opportunities. This is called the commanding position.

To create harmony in the bedroom, you want to balance each side of your bed with matching side tables, lamps, and decor. Doors represent your voice and communication and allow new opportunities to enter your life so make sure yours can open to at least 90 degrees and that all doorknobs, locks, and hinges work properly.

TAKE 5: CHOOSING THE RIGHT COUCH

As one of the integral furniture pieces you will be purchasing for your home, selecting the right couch for you is incredibly important. Below are five aspects to consider when looking for the lounger of your dreams.

Size. The first thing to consider is how much seating you need. If you have a large family (or planning to grow yours) or have plans to host friends for movie nights or the big game, you should look at larger sectionals. If you live alone or don’t have children, you can opt for something a little smaller.

Shape. To determine the couch shape, you’ll need to examine the size of your living room and determine how you want the area divided. If you want your couch to be the focal point and fill most of the room, an L-shape is a great option, but if you are interested in incorporating more chairs or recliners then a 3-seater sofa might get the job done.

Color. If you have children or pets, will be hosting gatherings where people may eat or drink in your living room, or you just love a good movie and snack night, you may want to choose a darker couch.

Fabric. Similar to choosing a color for your couch, selecting a fabric comes down to who will be using your couch and how. Cotton, linen, and chenille are usually better suited for a slightly-used couch while fabric like leather, microfiber, and polyester is easy to clean and durable.

Filling. Foam is a commonly used cushion material and generally offers more support and lasts longer with little maintenance, while feather- or down-filled cushions provide that soft, sinking comfort, but require more maintenance.