Budget

Four Costly Wedding Expenses You Weren’t Expecting

August 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

When you’re newly engaged, you’re most likely giddy with romance and excitement. Once you have the ring on your finger, it’s hard to think about anything besides flowers, favors and bridal fashion! In our culture of wedding mania, it’s easy to get carried away with every last detail of your Big Day – until you get the big bill.

Because talking about a wedding budget is so utterly unromantic, most brides-to-be blow through their available cash before they even get to their cake tasting appointment. Thankfully, cash-strapped brides don’t need to borrow from friends and family, or assume a high interest, high-risk bank loan to cover unforeseen wedding planning expenses. A budget-savvy bride can apply for plaingreenloans online for a quick and painless solution to affording these four major unexpected wedding expenses.

Invitation Postage

Sure, you were planning to drop a good chunk of change on high-end save-the-date cards, invitations and thank you notes – but most brides-to-be conveniently forget about the high cost of actually mailing these tiny works of art.

Today, the average wedding includes almost 200 guests, and most fancy invitations cost far more to mail than a typical greeting card. With total postage for each piece of stationary you’ll most likely mail per invitee, it’s important to budget at least $2-$3 per person – and that can add up quickly (and unexpectedly)!

Wedding Gown Alterations

You may have found the dress of your dreams, and plenty of lucky brides are gifted their gorgeous gowns by parents or loved ones. But it’s easy to forget that your dream dress won’t fit perfectly off the rack, and alteration costs normally hover around a hefty percentage of the gown’s original price tag!

Even if you found a wallet-friendly bridal gown, making it unique isn’t cheap. In fact, if you’re planning to add delicate lace sleeves or a stunning jeweled waistline detail, plan on dropping another few hundred dollars on that “affordable” dress. And that’s before size alterations like shortening a hemline or tightening a baggy bust.

Marriage License Fees

In a veritable flurry of champagne bubbles, it’s easy to forget the reason behind a costly wedding day – the marriage itself! And Uncle Sam won’t let you off the hook easily. The cost of applying for a legal marriage license varies depending on where you live, but could cost anywhere from $50 up to $250!

Feeding Your Vendors

All those professionals you booked for your big party – like your band, photographer and videographer – will expect a meal on your dime, and wedding etiquette dictates you need to feed them. With average per-head venue costs clocking in around $100, that’s a big chunk of money you never knew you needed to spend!

Planning the wedding of your dreams is exciting, exhilarating – and very expensive! Prepare for unforeseen costs before the Big Day, and save yourself lots of financial worry. We’re curious – what wedding expenses crept up on you while planning your own party? Do you agree or disagree with our list?

Filed Under: Green Living Budgets Tagged With: Budget, Expenses, Shopping, Wedding, Wedding dress

Financial Tips for Women

December 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

There are many reasons that women should achieve financial security and independence, including the fact that they usually live longer then men and make less money then men. Women should follow a few easy tips to ensure financial safety as they get older and reach the age of retirement.

First, women should develop and follow a budget for their household to understand how they are spending money and what, if anything, can be cut out. To develop a budget, keep track of all income and expenses for an entire month. Next, women should have both a checking and a savings account available to them. It is important to choose a bank account with low or no fees and also to make sure that it does not require additional charges for simple transactions. For working women, direct deposit is an easy and usually free way to deposit money into your account. Another tip is to pay off your credit card bill each month. Paying the minimum balance is not enough because the interest can build up substantially over time. When using a credit card, never charge more than you can afford to pay.

Next, make sure you set money aside each month for an emergency fund, towards retirement and for any other financial goals you have. Put this money into a separate account so you are not tempted to touch it. In addition, use the Internet to pay your bills. You can set up automatic deductions from a bank account which will avoid the possibility of late fees and save the cost of a check and stamp. Finally, be a smart shopper. Look for sales on items you need to buy and use coupons whenever possible. Make lists before you go to the store to avoid impulse purchases and do not buy more than you need.

Filed Under: Green Living Budgets Tagged With: Bank account, Budget, Credit card, Finance, Late fee, Money, Personal finance, Savings account

How To Host A Party On a Budget

December 6, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

With an economy that is less than fruitful, going out is not always easy. Hosting a party in your home can be just as much fun without breaking the bank. Here are some simple steps to help you plan a budget friendly party that is sure to be a blast.

1. Use decorations from a discount store. Dollar stores always have items like wrapping paper, small candles, and other items that can be used to inexpensively decorate your dinner table or the rest of the home. Wrapping paper makes a great tablecloth that when the party is over you can throw the entire mess out.

2. Pick a theme. Picking a theme adds another element of fun to your party, but also allows you to find creative ways to add to your decor. A halloween party can have candy in bowls as decoration or even little pumpkins. Decorate pine cones for a fall party.

3. Make a budget prior to purchasing any items. Make sure that you know how much you can spend and what part you need to earmark for food, decorations, and miscellaneous items.

4. Do not serve alcohol. Instead, make your own specialty drink using less expensive ingredients like soda and fruit juice. It will add a special touch to your party and alcohol can be very expensive.

5. Serve food items that are less expensive at that time of year. A fruit basket made of in season fruit can be a popular dish. Check out the grocery ads the week before your party to plan a meal around what is on sale.

Sticking to a budget can help you to create a party that is free of stress and enjoyable for all of your attendees. The more you save, the more parties you can host in the future!

Filed Under: Green Living Budgets Tagged With: Budget, Conifer cone, Discount store, Gift wrapping, Grocery store, Holidays, Shopping, Variety store