$15 Discount Tickets to Adventure Aquarium (Through March 3, 2013)

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America Saves February 25th to March 2nd: Save for Retirement

Today is the fourth in a series of posts focused on America Saves Week. Yesterday we talked about saving automatically. Today’s focus is saving for retirement. 

While I won’t get into politics and I don’t pretend to understand the ins and outs of social security, I do know that I want my husband to retire on time, I need to save for retirement. I also want to say that any tax-related advice I offer is purely my own opinion. You should check with an accountant or the tax laws to make sure what I say is still true. 

How to Do It 

Participate in a work-related retirement program or open up a Roth IRA

Already saving? Increase the amount you save toward retirement by 1% in 2013. If possible, max out your work-related retirement program contributions to ensure you’re taking full advantage of your employer’s contributions.

Your work-related retirement program and the ROTH IRA are currently tax-deductible if you do one or the other. In my case, contributions made by myself to a ROTH IRA or regular IRA are tax-deductible since I am a non-working spouse. My husband’s IRA contributions are not tax-deductible because he contributes to a plan at work.

 Set up a separate savings account for retirement

While your ROTH IRA is controlled by you, you may be limited by the types of investments you can make with the fund. My husband and I have a separate mutual fund set up for retirement which was funded by an inheritance. This fund is available at any time. We can make large contributions to it while the ROTH IRA has yearly contribution limits. The ROTH IRA has some limits and restrictions on withdrawals which need to be discussed with an accountant.

Save for retirement before saving for college for your children

While we all would like our children to leave college without student loan debt, this needs to be done without sacrificing our retirement savings. My husband and I have 529 plans for our 5 children. We put less money into the 529 plans than we do into the retirement plans.

Keep control of your retirement savings.

Don’t leave money in 401 (k) at old job. These days it’s simple to roll over an old 401 (k) into a new one or into an IRA that you control. Figure out what you’ll need for retirement. For me, this is the hardest part. Honestly, my husband and I have not sat down and figured out what we’ll need for retirement. That will be a tough conversation. I’ll keep you posted.

Tomorrow: Save for a Large Purchase

Barb is a mom of 5 kids who spends her day keeping track of socks, stuffed animals, library books, and a 4 year old when she isn’t writing about all the frugality, gardening, cooking, and reading she manages to fit in between the chaotic moments. She can be found at A Life in Balance, Frugal Local Kitchen, or on Twitter with daily doses of life in 140 characters or less.

America Saves February 25th to March 2nd: Save Automatically

Today is the third in a series of posts focused on America Saves Week. Yesterday we talked about paying off high-interest debt and how to make it happen. Today’s focus is saving automatically. 

 If you want to be successful with saving money, make it automatic. Anytime you need to remember to do something, especially if you’re starting a new habit, your brain has to save the reminder in its haphazard filing system known as your memory, and then be able to access it when needed which requires another reminder.

Remembering to transfer the savings with the help of your budgeting software like Quicken can be equally problematic. I’ve had much experience with this! I have regular automatic transfers set up to go into different accounts. Any time, I have modified the amount to transfer for one time, inevitably I forget to go back and change it. Then, occasionally, I incur bank charges like the $12 sweep in daily fee or the $35 over withdrawn charge because I forgot to make the change for several weeks.

Automatic regular savings ensure your money goes where it needs to go on schedule and that it’s available when you need it. All banks have some type of automatic savings plan available. I do all of mine through ING Direct. If I ever need to change an amount because we changed our budget, all the information for my money transfer is in one place. If anything should happen to me, my husband will be able to pick up the finances with few issues.

Tomorrow: Save for Retirement

Barb is a mom of 5 kids who spends her day keeping track of socks, stuffed animals, library books, and a 4 year old when she isn’t writing about all the frugality, gardening, cooking, and reading she manages to fit in between the chaotic moments. She can be found at A Life in Balance, Frugal Local Kitchen, or on Twitter with daily doses of life in 140 characters or less.

FREE Sign Language for Babies and Toddler Workshop

America Saves February 25th to March 2nd: Pay Off High-Interest Debt

Today is the second in a series of posts focused on America Saves Week. Yesterday we talked about making savings part of your budget plan and the ways to make it happen. Today’s focus is paying off high-interest debt. 

High-interest debt is typically credit cards, store credit cards, and car loans. Credit cards and store credit cards usually charge around 18 to 20% interest. I’m including car loans because if you choose to buy a car with a large monthly payment and little or no down payment, it’s easy to run into issues with the loan since you’ve put a lot of money into something that depreciates once it rolls off the car dealership lot.

How to Do It

Stop increasing your debt

Don’t open another credit card or store credit card. Take them out of your wallet and put them away. Put plans to buy big ticket items on hold until your current debt is paid off.

Cut your spending. 

First look for easy ways to cut your spending. If you stop for $4 coffee every morning, add coffee to your grocery list and make it at home. If you always buy a magazine before going to the doctor’s office, grab a book from home, bring something to do like writing thank you notes, or catching up on email on your phone, as long as it doesn’t increase your cell phone bill.

Then, depending on your circumstances, break one bigger habit at a time. If you have time, spread out your spending cut changes over a month’s time. If you need to make changes immediately, then set a goal of making one big change a day. Get help and support if you need to make big changes quickly otherwise you’ll end up feeling deprived and may increase your debt to help yourself feel better about trimming expenses.

Find a Get-Out-of-Debt Buddy 

Whether it’s your spouse, a family member, or a close friend, find someone who will support you in your journey to get out of debt. This person needs to be easily contacted in case you are struggling with something and need to discuss what to do. They need to be supportive, though they should also be firmly and kindly honest. They need to understand that you will listen and make your own choices.

Figure out a payment method that works for you

Some folks, like Dave Ramsey, talk about paying off the lowest balance first and taking the savings and roll it over to paying off the next biggest balance. Others focus on paying off the balance with the highest interest rate. Go with what works for you, and don’t be afraid to switch methods at some point if you feel the other method will work better for your new circumstances.

Use large payments like tax refund and bonuses 

These large payments are found money. They are not, and should not be part of your budget since they are not regular payments. Use them to help you jump start debt payment or pay off the remaining balance on a card and move on to the next debt repayment. 

Sell Unneeded Items

I’ve left this one for last because selling unneeded items depends on the item and your access to a place where you can sell it. For example, I now have an extra digital camera which happens to be 7 years old. It’s not worth it to me to sell the camera given my current financial circumstances. I might get $50 for it. Instead, I’ll be using the camera to teach my children how to take pictures. If I really needed the money, then yes, I would sell the camera along with one of my lens that I rarely use. The short-term value outweighs the long-term possible use.

Tomorrow: Save for a Large Purchase 

Barb is a mom of 5 kids who spends her day keeping track of socks, stuffed animals, library books, and a 4 year old when she isn’t writing about all the frugality, gardening, cooking, and reading she manages to fit in between the chaotic moments. She can be found at A Life in Balance, Frugal Local Kitchen, or on Twitter with daily doses of life in 140 characters or less.

America Saves February 25th to March 2nd: Save for Emergencies

Today kicks off America Saves Week, a week dedicated to encouraging American consumers to build wealth wisely by paying off debt and increasing their savings. Only 66% of Americans spend less than their income and save the difference. 

Save for Unexpected Expenses 

Only 66% of America have sufficient emergency funds for unexpected expenses like car repairs or a doctor’s visit. Life happens. We’ve seen the insurance commercials; Mayhem lingers everywhere. It’s up to us to be prepared for life’s change of courses, life’s emergencies.

Your goal today is to start an emergency fund. If you can, start several types of emergency funds, short-term and long-range. Start with a basic $500 emergency fund, and then slowly build up your other emergency funds. Make your savings a permanent part of your budget even if it’s only $5 a week. Over a year, that $5 adds up to $260 plus interest as long as you don’t touch it.

You can save all of the money in one savings account or you can take advantage of the multiple savings accounts offered by online banks like ING Direct (now Capital One 360). The online banks make it easy to set up automatic savings plans which can be targeted for different goals. If you have a specific date for your goal, a short-term CD may give you a higher interest rate plus keep your money safe while you continue to save.

Short-term emergencies 

• Car repairs 
• Appliance repairs 
• Home Repairs 
• Minor home repairs

Long-term emergencies 

• Appliance replacement 
• Car replacement 
• Major Home Renovations and Repairs 
• Unemployment 
• The Unexpected/The Unknown 

Ways to Save 

• Automatic savings from your paycheck.
• Save a portion or all of your tax refund.
• Save bonuses and salary increases.
• Do side jobs.
• Save rebates and refunds.
• Save spare change in a jar or find a bank like TD Bank with coin machines and deposit the change into a savings account.

Tomorrow: Pay off High-Interest Debt 
 
Barb is a mom of 5 kids who spends her day keeping track of socks, stuffed animals, library books, and a 4 year old when she isn’t writing about all the frugality, gardening, cooking, and reading she manages to fit in between the chaotic moments. She can be found at A Life in Balance, Frugal Local Kitchen, or on Twitter with daily doses of life in 140 characters or less.

April Margera’s Rose Hip Barn is OPEN February 23rd!

Rose Hip Barn is a unique shop open just 2 times monthly offering you beautiful one of a kind pieces of vintage and antique furniture, and curiosities for the home AND… just so happens to be co-owned by one of our very favorite Chester County Moms, April Margera.

Hop on over to the Rose Hip Barn Facebook Page for pictures of the fabulous treasures for sale this weekend.

The Fabulous Food Fairy’s DIY kitchen cabinet transformation on a budget. Amzing before and after photos that will inspire you!

When I watch HGTV and see those beautiful glass and stainless kitchens, I am in awe. Not because I want one, but because I want to know how to cook in one of those pristine shiny environments. They are always equipped with state of the art appliances, so they are supposed to be used, right? This modern wonderland of silver, black, and white leaves me to assume that these people never eat spaghetti, and they could not possibly have kids under the age of 20! Where are the splatters, the fingerprints, the streaks, and the drips? Clearly they either subsist on ultra-chic take out sushi, or their cleaning lady is a goddess.

In my reality, I bought a house with white kitchen cabinets, white floors, pale yellow walls, and very light counter tops. This should have been a deal breaker for me, as I am a messy cook, and I have messy kids, but I loved the rest of the house. Another hang-up was leaving my 150 year old house in the borough of West Chester, to move to a 4 year old house in a neighborhood. I felt as if my new house lacked a certain coziness that I needed to feel at home. Luckily, nothing a little paint couldn’t fix.

   

 We painted the walls brown and were very happy with the results. Success! But the white floor almost killed me. With 2 kids and another on the way, my husband and I were going nuts trying to keep it clean. The budget was tight, so we opted for self-stick laminate tiles in a nice dirt-colored brown. Success again!! It was a nice kitchen, not my dream, but very nice.

Over the years, the cabinets started to fall apart. While the basic structure was sound, the white thermofoil coating was starting to peel and pop off. Sadly, our warranty had expired, so I was at a loss. I now had some white cabinets, and some brown where the white had literally popped off like a shell. Add to that the discovery of a silent leak at our sliding glass door, which left the door frame and subfloor rotten. My kitchen was starting to look pretty pathetic. It was time for a remodel.

 Now, my husband is not a handy man. While he is a great father and husband, he cannot and should not be trusted with tools (past experiences resulted in emergency medical attention). Our budget was modest. We did not have the funds to cover a full kitchen remodel. Here is where some creativity and elbow grease came into play. We HAD to replace the door. A little informed shopping helped us to find a great door without blowing the whole budget. We also HAD to replace the floor. Thanks to the help of a great contractor, we selected a gorgeous slate floor, which was a ridiculous bargain!

Seriously, the real slate was cheaper than its faux laminate counterpart! We were on our way to something beautiful, except for the awful two-tone cabinets. My only option was to paint them. I scoured Pinterest for tips, directions, and ideas. After a lengthy search and the discovery of my inspiration kitchen, I thought I was settled on a cream color with a tobacco distressed finish, but somehow I landed on black. YUP, I painted my formerly white cabinets black, and I am still alive to tell about it… Dare I say it was EASY??? (I have included steps at the end.) The result was beyond my wildest dreams. I finally felt as if I had captured a little piece of my old house, and my kitchen felt unique, which is hard in a neighborhood where several friends have the same model. It felt cozy, and chic. Plus, the distressed finish wouldn’t show anything!

When my contractor arrived on Monday morning, he was shocked and impressed. He had no idea what we had planned. According to him, they looked like $40,000 custom cabinets. Ultimate success!!!

 In the end, I LOVE my kitchen. It was worth every dime! We replaced the remaining white appliances with stainless over the next few months, as they died in their own time. This spring, when my contractor finishes up his latest job, we will replace the countertops and sink.

So, with a little patience, creativity, and a modest budget, I was able to transform my pathetic aging kitchen into something I would proudly pin on Pinterest. Look out people of HGTV. I have black, I have modern, I have stainless, but I also have the ability to cook spaghetti and raise three young kids with my sanity intact. No sushi takeout necessary!

Tips for Staying Sane, & Out of the Poorhouse:
 ~ Look for inspiration pictures. If you have a visual of what you want, you are more likely to stay on track.
 ~ Be informed and shop around. I basically got my brand name door for half price because I bought it at a big box store that could discount it deeply because they buy in bulk. I also purchased my tile there. It was 1/5 the cost at a tile distributor.
~ Talk to your contractor to see how you can save. We purchased and picked up all of the materials, including the door, and saved a few hundred dollars!!
~ Shop around and negotiate. I was able to replace all of my light fixtures for under $50 because I bought the displays of discontinued models. (original prices totaled $430)
~ Be patient. We replaced our dishwasher in this remodel because we found a great deal on the model we wanted, but waited 4 months to replace the stove and microwave when they died. It was nice to take the time and decide what I really wanted, and wait for a great sale.
~ Don’t forget places like IKEA. They have great storage and kitchen remodeling products. (My $1400 farmhouse sink is only $299 at IKEA)
~ Rethink your spaces. I was able to maximize the space of my house by moving my kitchen table to the adjacent living room and putting a set of leather chairs in my kitchen, creating a conversation area. I appreciate this new use of space daily, and it has really unified my house. It has become my mommy space.

 ~ Be brave. Don’t shy away from what you really want because you are afraid. I admit that I had a moment of panic when I stood above my cabinet doors with a black paintbrush. Dig down deep and find your bravery! You will thank yourself in the end.

The Process:
We completed this work in one weekend, before the contractor started any of his work. That way, we didn’t have to worry about protecting the new floor. We emptied all of the cabinets. We removed the doors and drawers, and laid them on tables on the patio (use drop cloths).
Do not work in full sun. We peeled any remaining thermofoil off the cabinet and drawer fronts, leaving the MDF board exposed. We left the white paint on the interior of the doors and the bases of the cabinets.

Next, we purchased an industrial cleaner from the hardware store to remove any grease or residue. (you must do this for the paint to adhere) Clean the doors, drawers, and bases well. Then we used liquid sandpaper over all of the surfaces to rough up the shiny finish. This also helps the paint to adhere. Use high gloss exterior paint. Don’t worry about the finish. If you don’t want shiny, the distressing will take care of that. I was told high gloss is more durable. My cabinets are NOT shiny. We used black. You also need a small roller made specifically for cabinets and doors. This is a HUGE time saver. Buy a few of the roller replacements. You will need them. I painted the doors and drawers, while my husband painted the bases. This tag team approach saved a lot of time and made the job manageable. Once I painted two coats, and allowed it to dry completely, I used two different grits of fine sandpaper to distress the edges of the cabinet doors and the areas around the knobs. and the molding on the bases. Don’t go overboard. Think of where the edges would have gotten the most wear if this cabinet had been there for over 100 years. Also, be sure to go over the whole surface lightly, so you don’t have dull spots and shiny spots. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Finally, I used a brown faux glaze over all of the cabinets and bases to give it a finished look. I applied it with a clean cotton cloth, wiping the entire surface and rubbing it into the distressed areas. We also decided to replace the hardware.

Check out IKEA. They had beautiful hardware that was a fraction of the cost compared to many other retailers. (Total cost of handles was $21 while some places were $20 per handle!!!) Once the hardware is in place, re-hang your doors and put back the drawers. *** We left the interiors of our cabinets white. I got the wise idea to spray paint them beige, but ended up almost asphyxiating my husband who was painting nearby. Oops… I feel that white inside my cabinets is better than being a widow.

Good luck, be creative, and have faith. You can do this!! If you have questions about this project please contact Kelly at Fabulous Food Fairy Blog.

Kelly is the brave DIY’er behind this kitchen reno and the Mom behind the Fabulous Food Fairy Blog. While she is not a professionally trained chef, She is a kid tested mother of three, who teaches full time, and still manages to cook a sit down family meal most nights of the week. She says that many days, she wishes for a magic wand or a fairy godmother to pop in and make a beautiful dinner appear, but no such luck. Kelly realizes that sometimes the hardest part of dinner is figuring out a meal that her kids will actually eat. She created The Fabulous Food Fairy so that readers won’t feel hopeless about dinner, or so that busy moms are not forced to resort to the local drive through or a boring bowl of cereal as a meal. Family dinner can be so much more. Kelly also feels that dinners together are fundamental to raising and maintaining a healthy, balanced family.

The Fabulous Food Dairy blog shares a variety of tried and true recipes for a multitude of kitchen needs, from a kid friendly casserole, to a mom friendly cocktail! It is like having a group of best foodie friends at your fingertips. As the Fabulous Food Fairy, Kelly aims to grant your kitchen wishes and transfer your dull weekly menu into a magical moment of family fun!

Follow the Fabulous Food Fairy on Facebook and Twitter for yummy recipes and foodie tips. Check out her Lasagna Muffins recipe.. A-MA-ZING! 

Old-fashioned Sodas and Old-fashioned Service at Franklin Fountain

 

Ice cream in winter time? Why, of course, especially if it’s homemade ice cream from Franklin Fountain. What more could a kid want? Unless they’re looking for a hot malted milkshake with a marshmallow on top or a 3 scoop banana split with the works.

While my children and I were in Philly this past weekend, we ended our time with a trip to Franklin Fountain located at 1st and Market Street. Walking into the shop was an amazing experience! Dressed in period costume, the staff were friendly and helpful. When I changed my order from eat-in to take-out back to eat-in, the staff went with the flow.

 

Franklin Fountain sources their ingredients locally and strives to create old-fashioned sodas just like your grandparents used to enjoy. If you have dietary restrictions, don’t worry; Franklin Fountain has flavors for vegans, gluten-free, and nondairy folks, too.

 

When you’re finished, don’t forget a stop next store at Shane Confectionary, also run by the Berley brothers, proprietors of Franklin Fountain. Talk about an old-fashioned candy shop! My kids were dazzled by the array of lollipop, jelly beans, and the like on one side of the store, and chocolate candies on the other side. Of course, we had to bring home lollipops for all the kids, homemade jelly beans for my hubby, and malted milk balls for me. I was told the Easter candy would be available at the beginning of March.

The Franklin Fountain aims to serve an experience steeped in ideals, drizzled with drollery, and sprinkled with the forgotten flavors of the American past.

Franklin Fountain
No. 116 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Menu
Open Monday through Sunday: 12 AM to 12 PM
Cash Only

Shane Confectionary
No. 110 Market Street
Philadelphia PA, 19106

Barb is a mom of 5 kids who spends her day keeping track of socks, stuffed animals, library books, and a 4 year old when she isn’t writing about all the frugality, gardening, cooking, and reading she manages to fit in between the chaotic moments. She can be found at A Life in Balance, Frugal Local Kitchen, or on Twitter with daily doses of life in 140 characters or less.

The Heart of the Matter: Signs of Heart Attack & Stroke

This heart-healthy post was provided by The Chester County Hospital and Health System.  To learn more about early signs of heart attack and stroke, visit us online.

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In honor of Heart Month, we’re sharing what you need to know to identify a heart attack or stroke.  Knowing what to do at the onset of symptoms can save a life – whether it’s yours or someone else’s.  Let’s begin by defining these serious situations and looking into their causes.

 

What is a heart attack? A heart attack occurs when your heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood.  Arteries can become blocked over time by a buildup of cholesterol, making them hard and narrow.  Blood is trying to squeeze through your arteries to provide your heart with the oxygen it needs – during a heart attack, plaque can rupture and form a clot.  This clot blocks the blood flow to the heart, damaging the heart muscle.

A red flag for a heart attack is chest pain, so look out for chest pressure or a tight, “full” feeling in the center of your chest.  Pain can also be felt in one or both arms, your back or your jaw.  Other “something’s wrong” symptoms include sweating, nausea, fainting and shortness of breath.

Women are reporting different signs of heart attacks that include unusual fatigue according to American Heart Association.  It’s normal for us all to feel a little exhausted now and again, but listen to your body.  If you feel that something’s not right, act right away.  Other female-focused symptoms are clamminess, heartburn-like feeling, abdominal pain and lightheadedness.

Okay, well what is a stroke? A stroke mimics a heart attack in that blood supply is still limited.  This time, though, the brain is not receiving the oxygen it needs, not your heart.  When the brain doesn’t have oxygen, cells begin to die.  Having prompt treatment for a stroke can help to reduce the amount of damage the brain sustains.

Signs of a stroke are different than those of a heart attack.  A person may have trouble walking, feel dizzy or stumble.  Other problems show in a person’s speech and comprehension; confusion, word-slurring and trouble understanding others are common symptoms.  Numbness or paralysis of the face, one arm or one leg as well as vision disruptions can all point to a stroke.

What do I do if I think I’m having a heart attack or stroke?  Whether it’s you or someone else experiencing symptoms, pick up the phone, not the keys.  You should never drive yourself to the hospital, and, even for a loved one, a ride in an ambulance is the way to go.  Here’s why calling 9-1-1 is a smart thing to do:

·         Driving while experiencing these symptoms is dangerous.  If you were to become unconscious, you’d risk further harm to you and others on the road.

·         Having the ambulance come to you is the fastest way to receive proper care.  The Chester County Hospital is given your information wirelessly while you’re on your way – this means a team is ready for you as soon as you arrive.

·         The sooner you receive care, the less damage is done to your body.  Emergency medical technicians can administer life-saving care at your door rather than waiting to get to the Emergency Department.  Minutes count with the onset of symptoms, so don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 even if your symptoms seem to have subsided.

Celebrate Heart Month by sharing these signs of heart attack and stroke with the ones you love to keep happy and healthy!  To learn more about a heart healthy lifestyle, join us on February 28 for some guidance on how to reduce your risk factors and how to get started.  Enjoy a light dinner while you learn some healthful habits!  Here are the details:

Turn Your Health Around with a Heart Healthy Lifestyle

Presenters: Kim Knipe, Registered Dietitian & Susan Pizzi, Registered Nurse

Date + Time: February 28, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: The Chester County Hospital, Conference Rooms A&B

Fee: $15 for dinner and materials

Register: Call 610.431.5644 or visit ChesterCountyHospital.org/wellness

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Join us on Facebook, Twitter (@cchosp) and Pinterest, or visit us online at ChesterCountyHospital.org