| How to Live On a Tight Budget Posted: 16 Oct 2020 05:00 PM PDT Managing your money is hard enough for anyone, but when you're on a tight budget, it can seem nearly impossible. While it's certainly not easy to stretch a dollar, there are things you can do that can help you feel more in control of your wallet. For starters, keep yourself organized by planning out and sticking to a budget every month. Then, look for ways to trim a little extra here and there—you'll be surprised how quickly a few dollars can start to add up! [Edit]Creating a Budget - Figure out your total income for a month. Before you can decide how to divide up your budget, you'll have to know exactly how much money you'll have available. Add up your income from any different sources, including your primary job, and side hustles, financial aid from school, or monetary help you get from your family or others.[1]
- Since most bills are due once a month, it's usually easiest to plan a monthly budget, regardless of how often you get paid. However, if you'd prefer, you can make your budget for any time frame—like a weekly or annual budget.
- It's okay to estimate how much you'll earn, especially if you don't get regular paychecks—like if you're a gig or seasonal worker. If you expect to earn about the same as you did last year, look at your last tax return to see what your income was for that year. Then, divide that amount by 12 to estimate your monthly income.
- Calculate your average expenses for a month. Your expenses include everything that you spend money on. These include fixed expenses, which are the same every month, like your rent or mortgage, car payment, insurance, and utilities, as well as expenses that vary monthly, like your groceries and entertainment money.[2]
- To get a good idea of what you're spending, read over your bank and credit card statements for the past several months. If you don't have these available or you mostly use cash for your purchases, try writing down everything you spend for about a month, then use that to build your budget.
- Subtract your expenses from your income to see your starting budget. The best way to ensure you'll actually stick to a budget is to build it around the way you already spend your money. If you subtract your expenses from your income and you get exactly 0, your budget is already balanced, meaning you don't spend more or less than you earn.[3]
- Ideally, you'll get a positive number, meaning you spend less than you make. In that case, you don't need to make any changes to your budget unless you want to increase your savings or add in a new expense.
- If you get a negative number, you're spending more than you earn each month, and you'll have to find some way to cut back on your expenses.
- Look for areas you can cut back if there's not enough left over. Sometimes, you don't realize how much money you're spending on things until you see it written out. Go over your expenses and see if there's anything that you're spending a lot of money on. Then, think about whether that spending matches your priorities. If it doesn't, it may be an area where you can save some money each month.[4]
- For instance, when you add everything up, you might be surprised to see how much money you're spending on snacks and sodas on your way home from work each day. That might be something you can easily cut out, and you can use that money for something you really need!
- Remember, you'll probably do better at sticking to your budget if it's realistic, so leave a little money to treat yourself occasionally. You don't have to stop going to new restaurants or buying books if you really love it—just be deliberate with the money you spend doing it so you don't overspend.[5]
- You don't have to cut out all of your extra spending, but you do need to understand where your money is going. That way, you'll know whether you're spending money on the things you really prioritize, and you'll be less likely to overspend.[6]
- Save some of your leftover money each month. It can seem really hard to put extra money aside when you're on a tight budget. However, it's essential to have a savings fund, especially if you wouldn't be able to financially cover an emergency. It's a good idea to have 3-6 months' worth of expenses in your emergency savings, but it's okay if you can't save that all at once. Even if you start out only saving $5 or $10 a month, it will help to have that extra cash on hand in case you run into something like an injury, unexpected expense, or loss of wages.[7].[8]
- Set a savings goal for yourself and stick to it, like saving $10 out of your paycheck every week. It can help if you automatically deduct some of your savings from each paycheck. You won't miss the extra money as much since you'll never actually see it.
- Keep your savings in a separate account from your bill and spending money so you don't accidentally use it.[9]
- Once you have your emergency savings built, you can set new savings goals, like taking a vacation or buying a car.
[Edit]Practicing Good Money Habits - Keep a calendar to help you pay all your bills on time. If you accidentally forget that a bill is due, you can end up paying a lot extra in late fees and penalties. To avoid that, use a calendar to track the due date of each of your bills. Check it frequently, and mark off each bill when it's paid. To help you plan your budget for the next month, write down the amount of each bill in your calendar as you pay it.[10]
- Find the calendar system that works for you! For instance, if you're on your phone a lot, you might prefer to use a calendar or bill tracking app. If you prefer a physical calendar, try hanging it somewhere you'll see it often, like on your fridge or near your desk.
- Setting up automatic payments can also help you avoid missing a due date. However, you may still want to track your bills in a calendar so you always know what's about to come out of your account. Also, be sure to check your bank account online to verify that the payment went through.
- Making late payments can also have a negative impact on your credit score. This can cost you even more money in the long run, because you may have to pay higher interest on things like a car loan or mortgage.
- Avoid using credit cards unless you can pay them right off. When you're on a tight budget, every dollar counts, and you don't want to waste money each month on interest charges. Only buy something if you can afford to pay cash for it. If you do use a credit card, pay off the entire balance at the end of the month.[11]
- If you have credit cards, it's easy to use them for impulsive purchases that don't fit into your budget. Unfortunately, this can end up getting you deep into debt. If you have trouble controlling your spending, it's probably best not to have credit cards at all. Instead, use a debit card for things like online shopping.
- Conserve power and water in your home to save on utilities. Your utility bills likely make up a large portion of your monthly budget, so finding ways to cut down on those can make a big difference. It might take some time to save up for brand-new, energy-efficient appliances, but there are still plenty of little things that can help you save throughout the year, like:
- Turning the heater down a few degrees in the winter, or using the air conditioner less in the summer.[12]
- Keeping your curtains and blinds closed to block out the sunlight during the summer to save on air conditioning costs.
- Checking your insulation and weather stripping and repairing or replacing it if necessary.
- Installing low-flow shower heads to save on your water bill.
- Lowering the temperature on your water heater to .
- Showering on a timer to limit your water consumption.
- Comparison shop for everything. Thanks to the internet, it's never been easier to compare the prices of various goods and services before you buy them. Make the most of your budget by shopping around for the best deal for everything from clothes and shoes to cell phones and car insurance.[13]
- In addition, you can use the internet to keep an eye out for sales and coupons on things you're already planning to buy. However, try to avoid the temptation to buy things just because they're on sale—if you do that, you're not actually saving anything!
- Plan out your meals a week at a time. It's almost always more cost-efficient to cook at home, especially if you plan out your menu in advance. Each week, look at the grocery ads in your local paper or online to find what's on sale. Then, plan out the meals that you and your family will eat for the entire week. If you stick to your list, it should help you avoid overspending when you shop.[14]
- Try to use the same ingredients in more than one meal. For instance, if you buy a roast and a large bag of potatoes, you could have the roast with mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner one night. Then, you could serve the leftover roast on sandwiches the next day for lunch and use the rest of the potatoes for fries with dinner another night.
- Proteins and veggies can be expensive. Stretch them further by including inexpensive, filling foods like oatmeal, whole grain pasta, potatoes, brown rice, and beans with each meal.
- It's often cheaper to buy groceries in bulk, but not always—calculate the price per item (or price by volume) to see if the larger option is actually more cost-effective. Also, only buy something in bulk if you're sure you'll use it all before it expires.
- Shop secondhand when you can. You can save a lot of money by buying pre-owned clothes, furniture, household items, and even vehicles. Before you pay retail for something you want, check out local thrift stores, social media marketplaces, and online resale sites to see if someone else has one they don't want anymore.[15]
- Be sure to carefully examine a secondhand item before you buy it—you won't save money if you get home and realize it's torn or broken, since you'll just have to replace it. This is especially true for larger items you can't necessarily fix yourself, like a vehicle or an appliance.
- If there's anything you prefer to buy new, try checking the clearance section to find off-season savings. For instance, you can sometimes find really inexpensive swimsuits, shorts, and tank tops when the weather starts to get cool, and the best time to buy holiday decor is usually the day after the celebration.
[Edit]Finding Cheap Ways to Have Fun - Explore public areas like parks and nature trails. Being on a budget doesn't mean you have to sit at home all day. Any time the weather is nice, head out to your favorite local park, hike a nearby nature trail, or just go for a walk somewhere with pretty scenery. Being in the fresh air will help brighten your mood, and it doesn't cost anything to go outside![16]
- Bring along refillable water bottles and inexpensive snacks like popcorn so you don't get tempted to spend money while you're out!
- Go to free concerts and events in your area. Use social media to keep up with local government, news outlets, and event organizers. That way, you'll be more likely to know about different events that are happening near you. When you hear about a free or inexpensive concert, outdoor festival, or other public event, grab a few friends and enjoy a fun, free day!
- Keep in mind that many of these events have vendors who may be selling food, crafts, and souvenirs. Usually, these are pretty overpriced, so consider leaving your cash at home in case you're tempted to buy anything.
- If there's a big music festival you've been dying to go to but you can't afford the tickets, check the website to see if they need any volunteers. Many festivals will give volunteers free entry in exchange for helping out at information tents or vendor booths.[17]
- Visit the library to find free books to read. Most people spend a lot of time reading these days, but the majority of that time is on their phones. Instead of scrolling mindlessly through social media, spend time browsing the shelves at your local library—reading will enrich your mind whether you're into self-help books, autobiographies, adventure stories, or romance novels.[18]
- You can also look for free or cheap e-books online if you don't live close to a library.
- Teach kids to have fun with things you find around the house. If you have kids at home, encourage them to play dress up, invent new games, and create props out of whatever's lying around. Children have amazing imaginations, and they don't need the fanciest toys or latest devices to have a great time. However, they sometimes can use a little inspiration.[19]
- For instance, you might fold hats out of newspaper, then decorate them to look like pirate hats. Then, you could make swords out of cardboard and run around being swashbucklers for an afternoon! To keep the kids from getting bored with the game, you could even plan a treasure hunt, complete with homemade maps.
- To help kids have a good understanding of money later, talk to them early about things like the value of a dollar and how savings and investments work. Let it be an open, ongoing conversation, instead of a hush-hush thing.[20]
- Brown-bag your leftovers. If you have leftovers from a previous meal, take them to work or school for lunch.
- Consider turning to a local food bank if you need help procuring food.
- Don't beat yourself up if you get off track with your budget. It takes practice for any new habit to feel natural, so just keep trying.[21]
- To keep yourself from making large impulsive purchases, try setting a spending limit, like $100. If anything's more than that limit, tell yourself you have to wait 24 hours before you buy it.
- If you want to give up the expense of cable or satellite TV, try switching to a streaming service like Netflix, Prime Video, or Hulu.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Play Egyptian Rat Screw Posted: 16 Oct 2020 09:00 AM PDT Egyptian Rat Screw, Slap, Snot, or War is a game of quick wits and luck. The object of the game is to take as many of the cards as possible. This is great to play if you and some friends are bored, or if you want to show off something new. Follow the steps outlined here to learn how to play Egyptian Rat Screw. [Edit]Printable Rule Sheet [Edit]Playing Egyptian Rat Screw - Take a regular deck of playing cards (minus the jokers) and shuffle thoroughly. Pass out the entire deck to the players, face down. Distribute evenly so everyone has the same amount. Players hold their cards face down and are not allowed to look at them.[1]
- Begin the game. The person left of the dealer goes first by pulling the top card off his/her pile and placing it face-up in the middle. You are not allowed to see your card until it is placed in the middle.
- If the card played has a number on it, the person two spaces to the left of the dealer puts down a card, too. This continues around the table until somebody puts down a letter card (J, Q, K, or A). [2]
- When a letter card is played, the next person in the sequence must play another letter card in order for play to continue. The number of chances they have to play a letter card is determined by the initial letter; you can play up to 4 cards if an ace has been played, 3 for a king, 2 for a queen, and just 1 for a jack.
- If the next person in the sequence does not play a letter card within their allotted chances, the person who played the last letter card wins the round and the whole pile goes to them. Subsequently, the next round begins with this winning person.
- If you play with jokers, in some versions, you have to put down 5 cards for a joker. If you do this, then you can't play the jokers slap (look two steps below).
- Remember, nobody can look at their cards before they're played, so the odds are completely random!
- The only thing that overrides the letter card rule is the slap rule. The first person to slap the pile of cards when the slap rule is put into effect is the winner of that round. If it cannot be determined who was the first to slap the pile, the person with the most fingers on top wins. If the tie cannot be resolved this way, play continues normally.[3]
- Players should abide by the slap rule in the following situations:
 - Double: when two cards of equivalent value are laid down consecutively. Ex: 5, 5
- Sandwich: when two cards of equivalent value are laid down consecutively, but with one card of different value between them. Ex: 5, 7, 5
- Top bottom (or bottoms up): when the same card as the first card of the set is laid down. However, this rule is nullified if a card is burned as a penalty (see below).
- Tens: when two cards played consecutively (or with a letter card in between) add up to 10. For this rule, an ace counts as one. Ex: 3, 7 or A, K, 9 (sandwich)
- Jokers: when jokers are used in the game, which should be determined before gameplay begins. Anytime someone lays down a joker, the pile can be slapped. This is only if you're not playing the version where you lay down 5 cards for a joker.
- Four in a row: when four cards with values in consistent ascending or descending order is placed. Ex: 5, 6, 7, 8 or Q, K, A, 2
- Marriage: when a Queen is placed over or under a King (this is considered an optional rule). Ex: Q, K or K,Q
- You must add one or two cards to the bottom of the pile if you slap the pile and it was not slap-able. This is called "burning cards" and voids the top bottom slap, since it changes the first card in the set.
- If you have no cards and you slap at the wrong time, then you are out of the game for good (unless you are playing by modified rules, such as allowing players to lend cards to each other).
- Continue playing even if you have run out of cards. So long as you don't slap at the wrong time, you are still allowed to "slap in" and get cards! Everyone should try to stay in the game until you have a single winner who obtains all the cards.
[Edit]Playing with Optional Triples Rules - Treat triples as instant-win scenarios. In this variation, when three cards of the same type are played in a row (777, QQQ, etc.) the first player to slap instantly wins the game, even if they had no cards before slapping!
- Note that this is exceedingly rare - for this to happen, the first double has to have gone unnoticed. If anyone slaps the initial double, s/he wins those cards and a triple is no longer possible, even if the next card played is the same type as those in the double.
- Treat triple 6's as instant-lose scenarios. For a devilish twist on the standard triples rules, use this optional variation. In this case, when a triple six is played (666), if anyone slaps it, s/he instantly loses, no matter how many cards s/he had. It's extra-tricky to remember to slap any triples except for this one, so be prepared for serious frustration!
- As with the normal triples described above, this one also requires the initial double to go un-slapped to be valid.
- Treat triples as you would normally treat doubles. If you're not interested in playing Egyptian Rat Screw with the possibility of someone instantly winning or losing through luck, you can simply treat triples as doubles and proceed to play as you normally would, allowing players that slap triples to win the cards in the pile.
- Jacks are extremely useful to have as they only allow one chance for the next player to play a letter card, but watch out if someone plays one before you!
- Most of the time, if it's an extreme game, you will argue over who slapped first. Don't cheat, and try compromise over who hit first. If that still doesn't work, then apply the "fingers rule" (mentioned in step 5) or just continue gameplay with no winner yet for that round.
- You may play by different rules about what is slap-able. Most likely only two or three of the mentioned rules will apply. Establish basic rules before you begin to avoid confusion.
- Some people will develop a habit of slapping every card, especially if another player only has a few cards left. Thus, if a player incorrectly slaps more than five consecutive cards, they are out of the game permanently.
[Edit]Warnings - Make sure to take off your rings and other hand jewelry before playing.
- This can be a very intense and competitive game. Your hands will probably get slapped. Play cautiously--if you get a broken finger you probably won't want to play again.
- Try not to argue too much (after all, it's just a game).
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Standard 52-card deck
- 2 or more players
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References
[Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Lentils Posted: 16 Oct 2020 01:00 AM PDT Lentils might look like an unassuming legume, but they're a powerful pantry ingredient. They're high in protein and fiber while being low in calories. Green, brown, and red lentils have thin skins so they cook quickly and soften a lot. This makes them great for stews, thick sauces, or curries. If you'd like to make lentils that hold their shape, cook French or beluga lentils and serve them as a side or on a warm salad. [Edit]Ingredients - 1 cup (200 g) of dried lentils
- of water
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) of salt
Makes 4 servings [Edit]Selecting a Lentil Variety - Pick green or brown lentils for fast-cooking lentils that soften a lot. These are probably the easiest lentils to find at the grocery store. They have thin skins so they cook fast, which is why they don't hold their texture. As you stir the lentils, they'll blend together into a purée that has a mild, earthy flavor.[1]
- Green and brown lentils are usually used in thick soups or stews, as a meat substitute in casseroles or pasta, or in dips and spreads.
- Buy French or Puy lentils if you want lentils that hold their shape. If you're looking for lentils that don't fall apart when they cook, choose grey-green French lentils which are also called Puy lentils. Since they keep their texture, use these if you want to scatter them over a warm salad, mix them with crumbled cheese, or serve them as a side dish.[2]
- These lentils have thick skin which is why they don't turn mushy. Because they're thick-skinned, they do take longer to cook than green or red lentils.
- Try split red lentils for lentils that cook down into a puree. You've probably seen lentil curries in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. These lentils have a sweeter flavor than green lentils and they cook quickly. Because their skins are thin, they also soften and lose their texture.[3]
- Red, yellow, or orange lentils are great for puréed soups, thick sauces, and dal. You can even add lentil purée to baked goods for extra nutrition.
- Choose beluga or black lentils if you want tiny lentils with a firm texture. These small, round lentils have an earthy flavor like green or brown lentils, but their skin is a little thicker. This prevents the beluga lentils from breaking down as they cook. Beluga lentils work well with other earthy foods like mushrooms and leeks.[4]
- Keep in mind that if you overcook these lentils, they will turn mushy.
- You can also scatter these cooked lentils over salads or add them to soups where they'll give a little texture.
[Edit]Cooking a Batch of Lentils - Put 1 cup (200 g) of lentils into a strainer and rinse them with cold water. Set a fine-mesh strainer in the sink and put 1 cup (200 g) of any type of lentils into it. Look through them and pick out any shriveled lentils or tiny stones. Then, run cold water over the lentils to rinse off dirt or debris.[5]
- If you want to make a different amount of lentils, just use the ratio 1 part lentils to 3 parts water. For example, to cook 1/2 cup (100 g) of lentils, use of water.
- 1 cup (200 g) of dried lentils makes 4 cooked servings.
- Pour the lentils into a pot with of water. Choose a large pot since the lentils will double or triple in size once they've finished cooking. Then, set the pot on the stove.[6]
- Use cold water since hot water can soften the lentils before they cook, which might make them split or disintegrate.
- If you don't want to cook the lentils on the stove, put them into your pressure cooker with the water. It usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes for them to soften, but check your owner's manual for specific cooking times.
- Place a lid on the pot and bring the water to boil over high heat. Pay attention to when steam escapes from under the lid so you know when to turn the burner down.[7]
- Don't add salt to the lentils as they begin to cook or it will make the skins tough.
- Simmer the lentils uncovered over medium heat for 15 to 45 minutes. Turn the burner down to medium or medium-low so the water bubbles gently. Wear oven mitts to take the lid off of the pot and cook the uncovered lentils until they're tender. In general, simmer:[8]
- Green and brown lentils for 35 to 45 minutes.
- Red split lentils for 15 to 20 minutes.
- French, Puy, black, and beluga lentils for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Yellow lentils for 40 to 45 minutes.
- Drain the lentils if you're cooking firm varieties like Puy or black lentils. If you're making French, Puy, black, or beluga lentils, they won't absorb all of the water in the pot. To prevent them from becoming mushy, set a fine-mesh strainer in the sink and carefully pour the lentils into it so the water drains.[9]
- Serve the lentils or store them in the fridge for later. Since most lentils absorb the water, there's no need to drain them before you enjoy them. At this point, you can season your lentils with about 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) of salt or flavor them with your choice of seasonings.[10]
- Refrigerate leftover lentils in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
[Edit]Customizing Your Lentils - Replace all of the water with broth for a flavorful dish. There's nothing wrong with cooking lentils in water, but you can give the legumes a ton of flavor by using chicken or vegetable stock. Buy the broth or use homemade and substitute it for all of the water when you cook the lentils. They'll absorb the stock and become full of flavor.[11]
- You may want to cut back on the salt in your lentils or use a low-sodium stock so you can control the sodium.
- Add up to 1 tbsp (6 g) of dried spices to the water to season the lentils. Lentils have a very mild flavor on their own, but they absorb flavors if you add spices to the simmering water. You can use up to 1 tbsp (6 g) of a single spice or use your favorite spice mixture. Try:[12]
- 1 tsp (2 g) of dried oregano, 1 tsp (2 g) of dried parsley, 1/4 tsp (.5 g) of ground sage, and 1/4 tsp (.5 g) of onion powder for Mediterranean flavoring.
- 1 tsp (2 g) of ground cumin, 1 tsp (2 g) of ground turmeric, and 1/2 tsp (1 g) of red chili flakes to add an Indian flavor.
- 1 tsp (2 g) of paprika, 1 tsp (2 g) of cumin, 1 tsp (2 g) of ground ginger, 1/2 tsp (1 g) of turmeric, and 1/2 tsp (1 g) of cayenne pepper for spicy lentils.
- Put garlic, an onion, or other aromatics in the water for a deeper flavor. You don't need a lot of ingredients to add flavor to mild lentils. Toss 4 peeled and chopped garlic cloves into the water with the lentils before you cook them. Add 1 chopped onion and any other aromatics you like.[13]
- Add 1 to 2 bay leaves for a mild mint and pine taste or put a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme into the cooking liquid for an herbal flavor. Remember to pull these out before you serve the lentils.
- Don't add acidic ingredients to the lentils as they cook or the skins will toughen. For Italian-style lentils, add chopped tomatoes to the warm lentils. You can also toss them with an oil and lemon vinaigrette for a burst of flavor.[14]
- If you want to brighten the taste of the lentils, stir a few drops of apple cider vinegar into them once they finish cooking.
- Store your dried lentils in an airtight container out of direct light. Although you can store them for up to 1 year, they'll have the best flavor and texture if you cook them sooner.[15]
- Don't soak the lentils before you cook them since pre-soaking can make them mushy.
- Add enough water to cover the lentils if they absorb all of the water as they simmer.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Fine-mesh strainer
- Large pot or saucepan
- Spoon
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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