Perricone is hosting a very special self-care themed giveaway and gifting one lucky winner all of these holiday skincare must-haves – a value of $288!
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Good Luck Everyone!
~Kelly
Free COVID-19 Tests: Accessible, Convenient, and Secure
Beginning September 25, 2023, free COVID-19 tests are now available to the public. This initiative aims to make testing more accessible and convenient for everyone. Families can request four complimentary tests through covidtests.gov. These tests come at no cost, and there are no shipping fees. Deliveries will commence in the week starting October 2, 2023.
If you have expired tests at home, check the FDA’s website to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended. The new tests that are shipping may show expired on the box or are only good through the end of 2023, but the FDA has extended those dates; see the complete list of extended expiration dates.
Upon selecting to place an order, you’ll be guided to special.usps.com/testkits. On this site, you’ll provide your full name and address. You can also enter your email to receive delivery notifications from the U.S. Postal Service.
It’s important to note that this official portal only asks for your name and address. If there’s any request for additional details like bank or credit card information, it’s likely fraudulent.
~Kelly
Unlock Financial Freedom: Mastering the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule
Navigating the complex world of personal finance can be daunting, but the 50/30/20 Rule offers a clear and structured approach to managing your money. This tried-and-true budgeting guideline provides a straightforward division of your after-tax income, ensuring that essential needs, personal desires, and future financial security are all addressed.
Whether you’re a seasoned financial planner or just starting your financial journey, understanding and implementing the 50/30/20 Rule can be the key to achieving a balanced and sustainable economic lifestyle. Discover how this simple yet effective rule can transform your financial habits and set you on the path to monetary well-being.
Understanding the 50/30/20 Rule
The 50/30/20 Rule is a budgeting guideline that divides your after-tax income into three relatively simple categories:
50% – Needs
Half of your net income should be allocated towards necessary expenditures. These are the essential costs you incur in your daily life, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, health insurance, and transportation. These are costs you absolutely cannot avoid and are necessary for your survival and well-being.
30% – Wants
Thirty percent of your budget is reserved for wants or personal choices. This category includes unnecessary expenses that enhance your quality of life, such as dining out, vacations, shopping for clothes, or indulging in hobbies and entertainment. Essentially, this is your leisure and entertainment fund.
20% – Savings and Debt Repayment
The final 20% of your budget should be directed towards savings and debt repayments. This includes contributions to your emergency fund, retirement savings, and paying off student loans, credit cards, or car loans.
Implementing the 50/30/20 Rule
Implementing the 50/30/20 Rule requires a few steps:
Calculate Your After-Tax Income
Your after-tax income is what you have left after all taxes have been deducted from your salary. It is your take-home pay, which becomes the foundation of your budget according to the 50/30/20 Rule.
Categorize Your Expenses
Next, take the time to categorize your expenditures into needs, wants, and savings/debt repayment. It might take a while initially, but once organized, it becomes easier to manage your budget.
Track Your Spending
Regularly track your spending to ensure you are sticking to the budget. This could be done through budgeting apps, spreadsheets, or a simple notebook. The key is to be consistent and honest in recording your expenses.
Adjust as Necessary
It is okay to make adjustments as you go. The 50/30/20 Rule is a guideline, not a strict rule. The percentages can be tweaked based on your circumstances to suit your financial situation better.
Benefits of the 50/30/20 Rule
Simplicity
The Rule is straightforward, making it easy to follow for people new to budgeting.
Encourages Savings
Setting aside a portion of your income for savings and debt repayment fosters a culture of financial responsibility and forward-thinking.
Allows for Personal Spending
The Rule doesn’t restrict personal spending but allocates a fair percentage of the income for personal enjoyment.
In conclusion, the 50/30/20 Rule is a financial tool that helps individuals and families create a balanced budget, encouraging a healthy economic lifestyle by effectively dividing expenditures into essential needs, wants, and savings/debt repayment categories. While it offers a simple framework for budgeting, it is flexible enough to be customized according to individual financial situations, promoting a sustainable and financially secure lifestyle.
Starting with a budget is the cornerstone of rebuilding financial stability. It’s a proactive step, a clear blueprint that can guide you from the shadows of bad credit. Financial challenges can be daunting, but many have walked this path and emerged stronger. Bad credit is not a life sentence; it’s a temporary setback. With commitment and the right tools, like budgeting, you can navigate your way to a brighter financial future. Stay focused, stay hopeful, and know that every effort you make today lays the foundation for a more secure tomorrow. One of the resources I used when I was starting out on my financial wellness journey was: What Lies in Your Debt? It Pays to Know! Click here to access a 60-day risk-free trial. I assure you you won’t be sorry.
~Kelly
This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting Midwest Money Savers.
Shop Temu and Save Up to 90% Off!
If you guys haven’t heard of Temu yet, y’all need to surf on over and check out the mega savings this site offers. Temu (tee-moo) is an online marketplace committed to offering the most affordable quality products to enable consumers and sellers to fulfill their dreams in an inclusive environment. Temu offers free shipping and free returns within 90 days. The deals on this site are totally amazing. I’ve already ordered three times this week alone! Several of my friends are plus-size gals, and they have said they have no problems finding cute clothes that fit nicely.
In addition, items purchased from Temu are eligible for their price adjustment policy. Temu will provide the price difference if the list price of the item purchased was reduced within 30 days of the purchase. The shipment of your order will not be affected by applying for a price adjustment before you receive your item(s). You can request a price adjustment refund by selecting the relevant order in ‘Your Orders’ and clicking the ‘Request a price adjustment’ button. If you are a new user, you can even score 10% off sitewide for new users! Code: USNEW10
Have fun shopping!
~Kelly
This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting Midwest Money Savers.
Happy Labor Day 2023
Wishing you all a safe and happy Labor Day 2023!
~Caleb and Kelly
Good Deal Alert: 4 Great Grilling Spices at Penzeys Just $1 Each!
Be sure to check out this fabulous deal from Penzeys Spices. This time-sensitive offer ends at midnight on Monday, September 4, 2023.
No worries if you come across this post after this fabulous offer expires. Penzeys offers a new promotion every week! You can visit Penzeys online to order or visit one of their convenient retail locations. Be sure to sign up for their email list here.
*Penzeys Outrage Jar Offer Details
Limit ONE Penzeys Outrage 1/2 Cup Jar per household during the promotion run. Not applicable to prior sales, not valid with other offers. Not for resale. While supplies last. Visit www.penzeys.com and enter WILFULL into the apply code field at checkout. Standard shipping rates apply. Offer ends midnight Monday, September 4, 2023.
*Penzeys Cajun, Galena, Northwoods, and Sate Offer Details
DURING THE PROMOTION RUN, limit THREE for each Penzeys Cajun, Galena Street, Northwoods, and Sate 1/4 Cup Jar per household. Not applicable to prior sales, not valid with other offers. Not for resale. While supplies last. Standard shipping rates apply. Offer ends midnight Monday, September 4, 2023.
Enjoy!
~Kelly
Top Five Ways to Save Money at Meijer Stores
Shopping at Meijer stores can be a cost-effective experience if you use their money-saving options. Here are five strategies you can use to save money at Meijer:
- mPerks Program: Meijer’s mPerks is a digital savings program where customers can earn rewards and access digital coupons. By signing up, you can select and clip digital coupons directly deducted from your bill when you check out. The mPerks program also offers personalized deals based on your shopping history.
- Weekly Ads: Before heading to the store, check Meijer’s weekly ad either online or in print. These ads typically showcase the week’s best deals, including discounts on groceries, electronics, and other products.
- Seasonal Sales: Meijer often has sales during major holidays or at the change of seasons. For instance, many themed items will go on clearance after a holiday. This can be a great time to stock up on non-perishable holiday items for the following year or to get a deal on seasonal clothing.
- Buy in Bulk: Consider buying in bulk for non-perishable goods or items you use frequently. The cost per unit is often lower when you buy a larger quantity. Meijer might offer deals on bulk items, especially if they have a larger “supercenter” format in your shopping location.
- Generic Brands: Like many other stores, Meijer offers its own store-brand or generic items, often priced lower than name-brand counterparts. These Meijer-branded products usually provide the same quality but at a fraction of the price.
Additionally, consider planning your shopping trips around the sales and deals you want to take advantage of and make a list to avoid impulse purchases. Shopping with a strategy can help you make the most of Meijer’s money-saving opportunities.
Have a beautiful day!
~Kelly
Sign up for P&G Good Everyday Rewards and Save!
Save $30+ on Tide, Crest, Bounty, and 60+ of your Favorite Brands. Join P&G Good Everyday Rewards to Save $ and earn rewards on P&G brands. You can earn up to $150 + in Rewards annually. And P&G donates to charity on your behalf. More participation = More Rewards and More Donations.
Have a beautiful day!
~Kelly
My Keto Journey 2023
As most of you know, I have been following a Keto diet plan for the last year. I have lost over 50 pounds effortlessly. This is one of the first “diet” plans that I have been able to follow successfully. In my heart, I know Keto or low-carb dieting will be a long-term program I can follow.
Last Wednesday, I finally went for my yearly physical and had a blood draw. My doctor was amazed at my results. When she asked how I lost the weight, I replied you’re not going to like how I did it. I was surprised that she supported the Keto lifestyle.
I was elated when my blood test results came in the next day! I had the lowest blood sugar number that I had in years. My Bad Chlosteral went down by 89 points. My blood glucose has dropped by 38 points, and I’m now within 5 points of no longer being pre-diabatic. All other bloodwork came back within the normal ranges.
Because of this, she told me I could stop taking 11 prescriptions! Yes, you heard me right. She had me on 11 medications. I am now only taking 100 mg of Losarten for high blood pressure. We agreed that if my blood pressure dropped another 5 points, I could also stop the Losarten.
So, if you are sick of being sick, please follow along with my weight loss journey. This works, ladies and gentlemen. If I can do it, you, too, can be successful.
Have a beautiful day!
~Kelly
Top Five Ways to Save Money At Target
Target is known for offering a variety of ways for shoppers to save money. Here are the top five strategies to consider when shopping at Target:
- Target Circle: This is Target’s free loyalty program. Members earn 1% on every purchase to redeem at Target later, plus enjoy other perks. Exclusive offers and deals are available only to Circle members, so it’s worth signing up even if you shop at Target infrequently.
- RedCard: Target’s credit card gives you an automatic 5% off most purchases. A debit version also links to your checking account, so you don’t have to worry about another credit card bill. On top of the 5% savings, cardholders get exclusive offers and early access to special promotions.
- Price Matching: Target has a price match guarantee. They’ll price match if you find a lower price within 14 days after purchase. This applies to select online competitors as well. Always check online prices for big-ticket items before purchasing in-store.
- Use the Target App: The Target app often features digital coupons, deals, and promotions not available elsewhere. Plus, it’s a way to keep track of your Circle offers and see current promotions. The app also has a barcode scanner to quickly see if a deal or coupon is available for a product while you’re in your store.
- Shop the Clearance Sections: Like most retailers, Target has a clearance section where they mark down items, often significantly. These sections are typically located at the end of aisles, and there are often additional markdowns on holiday or seasonal items after the holiday has passed. The “end cap” (the display at the end of an aisle) can be an excellent place to check for these discounted items.
In addition to these strategies, always watch for in-store promotions, special deals on gift cards, and bundled offers, as they can also provide significant savings. Click here to locate the nearest Target store in your area.
Have a beautiful day!
~Kelly