Nothing says summer’s here quite like the 4th of July. If you’re scrambling for a last-minute way to celebrate Independence Day without ruining your budget, there is still hope! Check out these tried and true celebration tips below…
Nothing says summer’s here quite like the 4th of July. If you’re scrambling for a last-minute way to celebrate Independence Day without ruining your budget, there is still hope! Check out these tried and true celebration tips below…
It’s summertime, and some factors can have you can be feeling less than fine. That’s why today, we here at LiveBetterCheaper are presenting to you 10 tips to help you manage and deal with stress so you can start feeling fine this season.
Sometimes there’s no getting around it. Stress will pop up from time to time, and if too much of it builds up, it can lead to health problems such as higher anxiety, irritability, depression and becoming more susceptible to illness. While completely eradicating the problem is next to impossible, it is possible to manage it so you can go about your day.
So what can you do? Here are a few ideas:
1. Regular Diet and Exercise: This deals with the physical aspect of relieving stress. Many people like to blow off steam by partaking in activities such as running and jogging, boxing, weight lifting or even yoga. Plus, while you’re at it, take this time to change your diet for the better. Studies have shown that there is a link between poor diets and mood changes.
2. Turn Off Your Brain (And Your Tech Toys): The world moves at such a fast pace these days, and struggling to keep up can lead to more stress. Each day, take some time to turn off your brain, and for you workaholics, this part might not sound too appealing, but turn off the computer, stop checking your phone every few minutes, look away from the monitor, and get away from your work for a few moments.
3. “Me” Time: Between work, relationships, the kids (if you have any), looming deadlines and the like, that’s enough to bring anyone down. Thankfully, there is a solution: take some time for yourself! Sometimes the best thing you can do is to do something for yourself. If that means going on a walk by yourself, reading a book at the coffee shop or listening to “Here Comes The Sun” on repeat, then by all means, go for it.
4. Go Outside: Generally, it gets warmer outside in the summer, so why not take advantage of it? Besides giving yourself an opportunity to engage in a little activity, studies have shown that even the summertime atmosphere can help you to relax. So lay down in the grass, read a book, go for a run (see tip #1) or hit the pool.
5. Vacations and Stay-Cations: Sometimes the best stress reliever is to get away for a few days. Get away from the place that makes you stressed to fully recharge your batteries. However, since sometimes a week’s vacation is out of the question, take advantage of your weekends. Plan some fun, go camping or see your friends for a change.
6. A Delicate Balance: Time off can be a great opportunity to have some fun, but to get the most out of it, find a balance between that and relaxation. Doing too much can often leave you exhausted before you have to return to the grind.
7. New Hobbies: Yes, there are some people who just need to stay busy or else they might not know what to do with themselves. If this describes you, use this time to take up a new hobby. Taking up something like painting, delve into some summer reading, engage in sports, anything really.
8. Meditation: There’s a reason people still practice this ancient art, because it’s effective. Medication has been proven to produce the “relaxation response” and can even lead to health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and depression.
9. Be Good To Yourself: So many things can cause stress, but the one that might be causing the most could be in the mirror staring back at you. Life already has enough stress. There’s no need to add more pressure to it. Reward yourself from time to time, celebrate your personal achievements, or for those who need to constantly push themselves, don’t put the finish line so far away.
10. Laugh!: You know the old saying, that laughter is the best medicine. Well, because it is. Whether you get that by trading jokes with a friend, watching a funny television show, or by hanging out with your friends, sometimes a smile is all you need.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to relieve stress, so what are some of yours? Let us know in the comments section below and keep this conversation going.
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Planning a summer vacation for your family on a tight budget can prove to be a frustrating, near impossible task. Cutting back and finding affordable ways to fly to Hawaii or out of the country may be out of the cards for this year, but there are still many inexpensive vacation solutions. Here’s a list of our top five favorite family vacation ideas:
When it comes to your finances, do you feel like you’re in over your head? For those struggling to make ends meet or are victims of overspending, we’ve decided to share our favorite money saving tips to help you meet your financial goals.
It’s never too early to plan ahead, especially if doing so can save you money in the process. Summertime may be a few weeks away, but for today’s post, we’re going to focus on the essential items you’ll need to plan for fall and weather the season properly (no pun intended.)
Cinco de Mayo is fast approaching, and for many, it’s a time to celebrate their Mexican heritage (or just celebrate). Of course, you don’t have to go to extremes to do so. That’s why we here at LiveBetterCheaper are here to present (insert number here) ideas to throw your own fiesta, and of course, all on your budget.
Cinco de Mayo – Spanish for “fifth of May – is an annual holiday that celebrates the Mexican army’s victory of the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In essence, it’s a day that has come to symbolize Mexican pride, patriotism and heritage, much like Americans and the Fourth of July (but it is not seen as a “Mexican Independence Day”).
Today, it’s a nationally recognized holiday, where people from far and wide gather to celebrate this momentous occasion. Of course, you can do more here than just sport a sombrero and crack open a Corona (with lime), and you certainly don’t have to head out to a bar to celebrate. You can host your own Cinco de Mayo shindig.
So how can you pull this off? Consider these tips:
Décor: Decorations can help set the mood and the theme of what you’re trying to pull off. For your Cinco de Mayo fiesta, take a few hints from traditional Mexican décor. In other words, use bright colors (red, yellow, bright, green); find the proper accents (maracas and sombreros, maybe even some color flowers and vases); get colorful lights to set the mood (and no one wants to party in the dark anyway); you can even hang a piñata to be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
Food: From chips and salsa (or queso) and tacos to tamales and enchiladas, who isn’t a fan of Mexican food? You have plenty of options at your disposal, and best of all, everything is fairly easy to make.
Drinks: Corona, margaritas, sangria, mojitos, anything really*. Everything here is fair game**.
*Be prepared to have other options for kids or those who don’t drink.
**As always, please drink responsibly.
Music: Music can really set the tone and mood of any party. For Cinco de Mayo, consider the traditional fare such as mariachi, meringue, salsa and Latin. If you really want to go the extra mile, call up a friend who can play Mexican guitar (or a full band!).
Activities: Because sometimes you need more than just food, drinks and conversation to keep the party going. Set aside an area for guests to dance to your musical selection (callback!), you can also set up games or contests such as who can eat the most peppers (or more fun, how many hot ones they can handle).
To accommodate the youngest guests, you can set up a few games or crafts for them to try out. Organize a relay race or an area to craft their own paper flowers, or of course, you can also buy or make a piñata.
Of course, this is only some of what you can do. There are plenty of options out there to throw the best Cinco de Mayo party on the block.
So what are you waiting for?
