Commit. Plan. Take action.
It wasn’t long ago, and bitcoin was an unknown term. Now you’d have a hard time finding anyone who hasn’t at least heard of it.
These days, after all the hype around bitcoin, the ups, the downs, and the news of people becoming millionaires, you have to wonder if bitcoin as an investment is still a good option.
Do you remember when your cell phone was a way to contact people when you were away from home? Now, the cell phone is a camera, portable internet point, music player and games station.
All that extra technology doesn’t come cheap. When the iPhone X launched, it came with a $1000 price tag.
It’s only natural that you’d want to protect your investment.
They’re typically not a priority for young workers – but they should be. That’s precisely the time to take the greatest advantage of compounding interest by contributing as much as your fledgling budget can afford.
A new study from the University of Missouri suggests that millennials, the youngest working generation, are not sufficiently preparing for retirement.
Earth Day 2024 is observed on Monday, April 22nd. This year marks the 54th anniversary of Earth Day, a global celebration that focuses on environmental awareness, green living, and addressing the climate crisis.
Planting trees has become a popular way to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability. But what is the true cost of planting trees? And how much does it really cost to plant a memorial tree?
We’ll explore the various factors that contribute to the cost to plant a tree and provide a breakdown of the expenses involved.
Before we dive into the cost of planting trees, let’s first understand how much does it cost to have a tree planted and why it’s important to plant trees in the first place.
by Sigmund (https://unsplash.com/@sigmund)
Trees play a crucial role in our ecosystem. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. They also provide habitats for wildlife and help to prevent soil erosion.
Planting trees can also have economic benefits. Trees can increase property values, reduce energy costs by providing shade, and attract tourists to areas with beautiful tree-lined streets.
Trees also have social benefits. They can improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and provide a sense of community and pride in a neighborhood.
The cost of planting trees can vary depending on several factors. Here are some of the main factors that can affect the cost:
The type of tree you choose to plant can greatly impact the cost to plant a tree. Some species are more expensive than others, and some may require more maintenance or have a shorter lifespan.
The size of the tree you choose to plant can also affect the cost to plant a tree. Larger trees are typically more expensive than smaller ones, as they require more resources and labor to plant.
The location where you plan to plant the tree can also impact the cost of planting trees. Planting in urban areas may require additional permits or equipment, which can increase the overall cost.
The condition of the soil where you plan to plant the tree can also affect the cost to have a tree planted. If the soil is poor quality or requires additional preparation, it can add to the overall cost.
The cost to plant a tree of labor and equipment can also contribute to the overall cost of planting trees. Hiring professionals to plant the tree can be more expensive, but it ensures that the tree is planted correctly and has a better chance of survival.
Now that we understand the factors that can affect the cost of planting trees, let’s break down the expenses involved.
The cost of planting trees itself can vary greatly depending on the species and size. On average, a small tree can cost anywhere from $25 to $100, while a larger tree can cost anywhere from $100 to $500.
If the soil needs to be prepared before planting, this can add to the overall cost to have a tree planted. This may include removing rocks or debris, adding nutrients to the soil, or improving drainage. The cost for soil preparation can range from $50 to $200.
Hiring professionals to plant the tree can cost anywhere from $100 to $500, depending on the size and location of the tree. This cost may also include the use of equipment such as a backhoe or crane.
After the tree is planted, it will require ongoing maintenance to ensure its survival. This may include watering, pruning, and pest control. The cost for maintenance can vary depending on the size and species of the tree, but it can range from $50 to $200 per year.
Planting a memorial tree is a special way to honor a loved one or commemorate a special event. But how much does it cost to plant a memorial tree?
The cost of planting a memorial tree can vary depending on the type of tree and the location. On average, a memorial tree can cost anywhere from $100 to $500, including the cost of the tree, labor, and maintenance.
In addition to the cost of planting the tree, there may be some additional costs to consider. These may include:
If you plan to plant a tree on public property, you may need to obtain a permit. The cost for a permit can vary depending on the location, but it can range from $50 to $200.
If you need to remove an existing tree before planting a new one, this can add to the overall cost of planting trees. The cost for tree removal can range from $100 to $500, depending on the size and location of the tree.
If you hire professionals to plant the tree, they may require insurance to cover any potential damages. This cost may be included in the overall cost of labor and equipment, but it’s important to confirm with the company beforehand.
Planting trees is a worthwhile investment for the environment, economy, and society. While the cost of planting trees can vary depending on several factors, it’s important to consider the long-term benefits and impact of planting trees.
By understanding the factors that contribute to the cost to plant a tree and the breakdown of expenses, you can make an informed decision about planting a tree and ensure that it is done correctly and with the best chance of survival.
So the next time you consider planting a tree, remember the true cost to plant a tree and the lasting benefits it can provide.
As Kevin Hart once said, “Stay in your own financial lane!” While he said this when referring to his rich friends, staying in your own financial lane will actually help save you a lot of money and trouble. Personally, I’ve spent my fair share of money on things that I shouldn’t have while trying to “keep up” with acquaintances. Over time, the way I spend money has changed and, honestly learning to stay in your lane can make a huge difference.
Here are a few tips that may come in handy in the future when trying to stay in your own financial lane.
Before you buy something, think about whether or not you can afford to buy two of them. Take your cell phone, for example. Many phones these days can cost $1,000+. However, if you got robbed or you lost your phone, many people wouldn’t be able to cough out another $1K to replace it. In fact, most people are paying for their phones on a payment plan.
Abiding by this rule helps give you a bit of a safety net when you’re making large purchases, but it can also keep you in check when it comes to your finances. You won’t ever bottom out your account for a frivolous purchase. Similarly, you should start saving for a replacement the moment you buy something big – car, house, electronics, etc. Create a sinking fund for it and contribute what you can immediately.
While it’s easy to say that you simply shouldn’t buy anything extra at a time where you’re trying to improve your finances, it isn’t feasible. Having some fun money set aside for luxurious purchases – like a spa day or a really great meal out – is key to sticking to your overall financial plan. At the same time, to stay in your lane financially, you should have a set amount of your monthly income that goes towards this. For some, it may be 10-15% of their monthly earnings go towards fun stuff. That’s great. Just figure out what works for you and stick to it, no matter what everyone else is doing.
All that said, the biggest thing you can do to “stay in your lane” financially is to avoid temptation. If there is a group of friends that seems to encourage you to overspend or makes you feel like you need to drop a lot of cash on material things, avoid that friend group. Similarly, Kevin Hart decided to stop hanging out with athletes as much. According to him, they spend their money in very lavish ways. He isn’t interested in trying to keep up with it. He’d rather have the money in his bank account and be able to support his family.
What are some things you’d suggest to help “stay in your lane” financially? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Normally, I am someone who gets their taxes done as early as possible. I don’t want any more trouble from the IRS or the State Department of Revenue. However, a few things happened this year and I’m having to file pretty late (aka the day before they are due). If you ever find yourself in this predicament, don’t worry. I’ve got a few tips to help you get by and get everything filed on time.
This year, Tax Day is April 18. To meet the federal deadline for filing, you will need to have your taxes completed and postmarked by the end of the business day on April 18. For those who are e-filing (which most of us do these days), you need to have your taxes electronically submitted by end-of-business on April 18.
If you don’t feel like you’re going to meet the tax deadline, filing for an extension is always an option. Check out this helpful article on Saving Advice about what you need to file an extension.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone file at the last minute. Honestly, it’s stressful and the stress isn’t necessary. That being said if you’re okay with getting the filing done at the very last minute and off your plate, then there are some things you can do to make it a little easier on yourself.
As always, the best advice I can give anyone is just to breathe. You’ll get your taxes filed on time and everything will turn out okay if you approach it with a calm mind.
Happy filing, everyone!
Springtime is such an amazing time of year. It is one of my favorites. I love to find ways to improve my life around this time of year. Many people focus on spring cleaning or specific tasks, but I like to take a big-picture view of things at this time to improve our finances and more. How can you put the spirit of spring into your financial planning? Here’s how we are doing it.
I suffer from a bit of seasonal depression, which a large number of people do. This makes springtime a great time to start doing anything. I usually lose focus throughout the winter and I’m really just trying to survive that time. When spring hits, it feels like I can breathe again and, more importantly, give attention to the areas of my life that need it.
This might be different for other people. However, chances are there is a season when you’re more productive, more enthusiastic, and more positive. That should be the season you take to focus on improving your life – whether it is your finances or otherwise.
When I think of spring I think of rejuvenation and growth. These are two important things when it comes to financial planning for your family. You have to think about ways to change your budget and your financial approach to match the growth you want.
Additionally, rejuvenating your approach to money can help you better align your lifestyle with your long-term money goals. Here are some ways we are doing this…
Readers, do you ever get inspired to rejuvenate your financial plan? Does it happen around the same time every year? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
If you are someone who is trying to improve their finances, you know there are a plethora of online courses you can take. Each one of them claims to be able to help you fix your money situation overnight or “give you the tools you need to reach financial freedom.” With all of the free information out there today, it is hard to believe they are providing anything that a Google search can’t. So, do you really need an online course to improve your finances?
We recently talked about Dave Ramsey vs. the rest of the personal finance influencer community. However, despite him not being super popular with a select group of people, his “Financial Peace University” course is one of the best-selling online finance classes out there today. It is also one of the most straight-forward courses available. He provides pretty basic PF advice and then helps you implement those changes in your life.
One of the biggest perks of purchasing an online personal finance course is that you typically get hands-on help and advice. Usually, these programs provide you with a counselor or mentor to help you with your money habits. Then you are assigned “homework” to look over and take action with your own finances.
Having someone to check-in with who knows what they are doing can be extremely helpful, especially if you struggle with the basics (budgeting, tracking spending, saving money, etc.). At the same time, you will be getting the knowledge and tools you need to be able to manage things on your own.
Anyone considering a paid course should take a few things into consideration before moving forward.
Lastly, remember that your financial journey may not look like someone else’s. There is no “one size fits all” financial plan. Any course selling that should be avoided.
Readers, have you taken any financial courses that you have benefited from? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
A lower energy bill for your home means you have more money to spend on other needs including leisure, which is always a plus. If you’re wondering about how you can achieve this, read on.
With the EPA saying that a faucet dripping a single drip each second can waste over 3,000 gallons of water each year, it’s clear that you need to fix any leaks in your plumbing. Perform a visual inspection to make sure that there are no leaks in and around your house. If you find any and have the necessary tools and know-how to repair them, do it as soon as possible. Otherwise, call a good plumber to come in and fix them for you. Doing this will help you use water more efficiently, and you will be paying for water that you’ve actually used.
Bulbs around the house may seem to only consume a small amount of power when analyzed as a single unit. However, when they’re all put together and observed over a length of time, the story changes. To make sure that you use as little energy as possible in the house, switch to energy-saving LED bulbs, which will save you a good amount of energy and emit less heat when turned on. Follow this up with only turning lights on in occupied rooms and you will minimize your energy use even more, making this a habit worth practicing with your family.
Another way in which you can save on energy use in your home is to perform predictive maintenance as often as is necessary to do so. For example, it’s recommended that a family of four people with a 1,000-pound tank should have it pumped once every three to five years. When you follow this and other maintenance procedures for the appliances and systems in your home, you will have them run efficiently and therefore save a good amount of energy.
Energy strips are an effective way of dealing with energy vampires in your home. These are appliances that remain on standby mode even when they’re turned off, effectively consuming energy even in this state. Put this to a stop by connecting your home’s appliances to energy strips and making sure that they’re only using power while they’re fully on and in use. Over time, you will realize that your energy consumption has gone down.
Finally, this last tip is for appliances such as the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer. You will get better energy-efficiency when you only run them when they’re full. While it may be tempting to throw in a few dirty clothes or dishes for a quick cleaning session, avoid doing this and you will save both energy and water as they will run at their most optimum in this case. With cabinets generally accounting for 40% to 50% of the total costs used up in a kitchen remodel, you can be sure that something like replacing an old appliance is something that you may fit into these costs. Doing so will ensure that you can now do chores well, fast, and in an energy-efficient way thanks to getting a new appliance.
Put these five suggestions into practice and you will start to enjoy lower energy bills in your home. Teaching the tips to your family will also help you instill good habits in them that will help them use energy well wherever they go, something that they will thank you profusely for!
Every year more than $6 billion is issued to pay new structured settlements by factoring companies in the United States.
When life happens, many owners of a structured settlement choose to sell their annuities to cover unexpected costs.
Just like income from structured settlements, selling your structured settlement and annuity payments are tax-free at the local, state, and federal level.
