savings

To Tip or Not to Tip?

Julie Boehlke Budgeting, Lifestyle , , , ,
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It seems like lately so many food and beverage establishments are adding more options to tip on their cash out screen. But are some places taking it a little bit too far? This goes beyond the traditional tip or gratuity that we make after being served a great meal. The question here is when to tip and when is asking for a tip going over the top? 

Always Tip Your Wait Staff

According to TableAgent, anywhere from 15 to 20% of the bill total is the appropriate amount to tip. Less or more depending on how your service was. Keep in mind that this is the pre-tax amount. Many people tip based on the total bill amount, but you should configure the amount before taxes and other fees are added. 

If you had an issue with your service or food, ask to speak to the manager. This way, the issue can be addressed directly, rather than by the tip amount or lack thereof.  

Tipping at the Drive Thru?

This is where things can get a little dicey. If you tip the drive-thru attendant electronically, do they really get the money? Do they deserve it? Maybe the cook in the back is more deserving than the attendant. 

Tipping at the drive thru is a relatively new option. The question remains, who really gets that money? Or does it just go back into the company’s pocket?

A Tip for Carry Out Service?

What about going in to get your food? Should you tip the cashier? I would say no, but there is one exception. If you pre-ordered a lot of food, such as several orders or a catering-type order, you should probably leave a tip. 

This is because someone had to work hard to organize and put the order together. Also, if the restaurant you ordered from went the extra mile to pack utensils, sauces or other extra goodies, always be sure to tip well. 

Tipping Fast-Food or Cafeteria-Style Food

Even going into a fast-food restaurant or one where you have to go and grab your food at the counter and pour your own drink, they often ask for a gratuity. That is up to you to tip, but again, you may not know who actually gets that tip at the end of the day. 

For cafeteria-style food joints or cafes where you grab your food or they hand it to you, a tip is often listed on the total bill. This is another instance where you are not typically required to leave a tip, but you can if you wish. 

Most cashiers can’t accept money or cash on the side and pocket the change. The tip has to go into the total order, which means there is no guarantee that person will get that money. 

Tipping is becoming more of a hot-topic button lately more than ever. But the question remains; who actually gets that money? If you have to question it, maybe it is best to pass over it. But at the end of the day, if your wait staff works hard for you, and you’re pleased with their service, tip them well. 

Here’s to Saving and Thriving Daily!

Copyright 2023, Nurturingcents.com

5 Best Beach Hacks on a Budget

Julie Boehlke Budgeting, Lifestyle , , , ,
Photo by Leo Rivas on Unsplash


The weather is warming up, school is out, and it’s time to hit the beach. Whether you have kids and pets in tow, or it’s a solo trip, making it an enjoyable experience is important. Sometimes the sand and sea can make a beach day a bit of a hassle and beach items can be pricey. Check out these budget-friendly beach hacks to make it nothing but smooth sailing. 

1. Charcuterie On-the-go  

When you think of the beach, one of the first things that comes to mind is snacking. Cheese and crackers or pretzels and dip, all help satisfy a hungry stomach, but they can be hard to transport and serve on the beach.

For this beach hack, instead of hauling around a cutting board or serving plates, try a small craft organizer instead. Choose a clear view container with lots of individual slots for small snacks. Turn it into a grazing box with things like nuts, cheese cubes, blueberries, strawberries and small crackers or snacks. 

2. Sandwiches Made Easy

Packing a meaningful meal is important for a day by the sea. A quick and money-saving way is to pack one large sandwich to share. Assemble sandwiches at home by grabbing a package of King’s Hawaiian style rolls. Cut the entire assembled loaf piece in half lengthwise. 

From there, add a light layer of mayo or mustard and top with meat and sliced cheese. Reassemble the loaf and put it right back in the bag. When you get to the beach, everyone can break off a roll for a satisfying lunch. Seal up the bag for optimal freshness. 

3. Frozen Aloe Cubes

Even with sunscreen, sun-kissed skin can get hot and irritated. Cool off quickly by grabbing a frozen aloe cube. Prior to your beach trip, squirt some aloe vera into an ice cube container and freeze overnight. Then pop them into a plastic bag or container. Use the cubes as a refreshing treat on sensitive skin. 

4. Make a Baby Powder Sock

Sand is often the enemy at the beach when it comes to keeping it away from food and drinks. Plus, no one wants to take sand home via beach toys and dry outerwear. Try the baby powder sock hack. Fill a soft sock with powder and run it over your legs or body to keep stray sand granules at bay. 

5. Create a Sand-Free Zone

If you are going to the beach to sunbathe or indulge in a good book, you need a sand-free zone. While the baby powder hack is great for staying sand free, you may need to expand further. Use a sheet with four corner weights to create a sand-free zone. While there are several large sand towels on the market, a sheet is a cheaper alternative. Don’t forget to pack beach toys in mesh bags to avoid getting sand in your vehicle. 

A beach day is always a welcoming adventure for kids and adults of all ages. Keep things simple and don’t blow your budget on pricey activities and gadgets. Here is to a fun day in the sand and sun!

Here’s to Saving and Thriving Daily!

Copyright 2023, Nurturingcents.com

Want to Improve a Weak Credit Score Fast? Don’t do This

Julie Boehlke Credit and Debt , , ,
Want to Improve a Weak Credit Score Fast? Don’t do This

If you haven’t been in the market for a new car, apartment or home recently, you may not have paid much attention to that three-digit magical number—your credit score. But if you have, you realize how valuable it is to securing the best deal possible and lowest available payment. Also referred to as a FICO number, it’s a vital tool to maintaining your finances and living a comfortable lifestyle. 

The highest possible FICO or credit score you can get is 850. The lowest is 300. And there are variable ranges in between. In addition, every lender is different with their criteria and requirements depending on the loan you’re applying for. Yes, it can get a little complicated. And truly it really isn’t cut and dry. 

A high FICO score is worth its weight in gold! It gives you the buying power and clout you need to get ahead in life. Did you pull your score only to realize the number is on the low side? This can be troubling because raising your score is not an easy feat, and it doesn’t happen overnight. 

Everyone knows that late payments and a big debt load cause FICO scores to plummet. But are there any other ways to raise it fast? There actually is. Let’s focus on what NOT to do. 

Don’t Ignore Existing Debt

Multiple credit card obligations, monthly utilities, car payments and a large mortgage. The bills just keep rolling in. An income loss or even a temporary layoff due to the pandemic can cause a trickle-down effect with late payments. Credit collectors start calling and sending letters to your home. Yikes!

People overwhelmed with debt want to get out from underneath it as quickly as possible. In fact, a high debt-to-income ratio or DTI can lead to a low credit score. 

The ideal DTI is around 35% or less. It pertains to all of your monthly debt obligations divided by how much income you have. This is one important factor in keeping your score high. 

Bottom line, if you have late payments, don’t ignore your creditors. Try to work out a reasonable repayment agreement. You don’t want debt going to collection. This can really cause your score to nosedive quickly.

Don’t Hire a Credit Repair Company

When you have a lot of credit cards and payments going out each month, it can seem impossible to get it paid off and start rebuilding a solid credit score. 

Turning to a credit repair agency may seem like the light at the end of the tunnel, or a fast fix, but it can make matters worse. Many are not out for the consumer’s best interest. They may charge huge fees and are sometimes scam worthy. 

Here are telltale signs that a credit repair company may be a scam:

  • They want a large up-front fee.
  • Offers to raise or erase your existing credit score.
  • Wants to keep credit reporting agencies out of it.
  • Discourages you from running your credit report.

A scam company will promise you the moon and to banish all your debt overnight. If you need help with your debt, select a reputable credit counselor who can assist you with managing your credit and obtaining solid resources. 

The best solution? Work on your own debt-repayment program. The debt-avalanche is a good one to start on. 

Don’t Apply for Secured Credit Cards

When your credit score pummels into the 500 or 600 range, you may suddenly find yourself with a lot of new credit card offers. Or companies that want to transfer your existing balances to a new card to reduce your debt load. This can be very tempting, especially when you’re broke. The problem? They are often secured cards with charge colossal amounts of interests and fees. The really bad news? They don’t raise your FICO score, they lower it. 

To improve your score, avoid these tempting new credit card offers.  

Don’t Extend Credit Limits

You already have an established credit card and they are offering to raise your limit and buying power. Don’t fall for it. While you could really use the cash to pay for your weekend getaway, giving into temptation will cost you your credit score. 

Don’t Accumulate New Debt

This goes beyond credit cards. It pertains to a new car loan, cell phone or anything that will come back as a hard credit inquiry on your credit report. Maybe your daughter applied for a new phone using your personal information. Just one quick application can drop FICO points fast. 

There are many things we can do to build up our score and boost credit worthiness. But avoiding some pitfalls is essential in making sure we can reach the top of the FICO realm sooner rather than later. With a little hard work and perseverance, your best score awaits!

Here’s to Saving and Thriving Daily!

Copyright 2021, Nurturingcents.com

5 Ways to Make Your Tax Refund Check Work For You

Julie Boehlke Editor's Pick , , , ,
5 Ways to Make Your Tax Refund Check Work For You

Many Americans are happy to know that their tax refund money is about to hit their bank accounts. It’s your money and you earned it. But as fast as it arrives, it can quickly be depleted. Because the economy is on a downward spiral, now is not the best time to go on a shopping spree.

Whether you need it desperately to pay for groceries or to simply splurge on something fun for yourself, it’s wise to think twice about how it should be spent. Here are 5 ways to make your tax refund dollars work to your advantage. 

Pay down past-due bills. If you’ve been affected by a layoff or monetary setback due to the pandemic, chances are you may have made a late payment or two. The main benefit of utilizing a tax refund is to get out of a financial hole and back on track with your monthly obligations. Get caught up on payments and pay down high balances on all of your bills if you can. 

Invest in penny stocks. Newer up-and-coming companies often sell their shares under a $1. This is enticing because it gives you the chance to invest a small amount of cash into these businesses. The result? The possibility of a generous return and a great way to get your feet into investing. The main caveat to consider is that these micro-cap companies may lack liquidity and they may not be as financially stable as others. Investing is always a risk, so using tax money is a more attractive option. 

Start a life insurance policy. One thing COVID has taught everyone is that life is unpredictable. Not only from an economic perspective, but health-wise too. Do you have loved ones who depend on your income? Now is the best time to think about your legacy and what you will leave behind for your family after you pass away. If you don’t have a life insurance policy in place, now is the time to set one up. Some can be started with just a few bucks and offer a good return at an affordable monthly payment. 

Add to your emergency fund. Job closures, layoffs and unemployment are at an all-time high. So money for daily survival is a top priority. Keeping up with your emergency fund is vital. Whether you have funds set aside or not, using your refund check to stash cash away is a great way to build a security cushion. Start with $1,000 and build it up from there. Shoot for around three months of your average monthly income.

Do some home improvements. If you own a home and have all your debts in check, put your tax refund to good use by investing in your property. Spruce things up around the house by doing a small home improvement project or two. It enhances your lifestyle and also boosts the value of your home. 

Whether you plan on indulging with a new wardrobe or need to put food in the fridge, your tax refund is designed to help. Being creative about that newfound money in your checking account can go beyond temporary and reshape your future for the better.  

Here’s to Saving and Thriving Daily!

Copyright 2021, Nurturingcents.com