You might have asked the question, “what budget is right for me?” only to get the frustrating reply of “it depends“. Each person and household is unique and so when it comes to creating a budget, there never seems be to any answer that provides a one-size-fits-all solution.

A few years ago Harvard bankruptcy professor Elizabeth Warren, who in 2011 became the first female senator from Massachusetts, co-authored a book with her daughter Amelia Warren Tyagi called All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan. This book gave a rule of thumb for budgeting that for the first time, could be applied across the board and be relevant for all kinds of situations.

50/30/20 budget plan

The rule of thumb budget plan is called 50/30/20 and it is a three step guide that anyone can follow in order to build monetary wealth and stability. So, can it work for you? Of course it can! Implementing the 50/30/20 budget is a matter of making changes in your lifestyle that will allow you to follow the guidelines.

As Liz Wetson from MoneyMSN.com explains,

“you may be discouraged by how far you are from the ideal. But running the numbers can help you understand why your money isn’t working for you. If basic overhead consumes so much of your pay check, it’s no wonder you have trouble saving, paying off debt and living the rest of your life.”

The 50/30/20 plan is calculated on your after tax income. This is important, because everyone knows that like death, tax is inevitable and takes up a significant portion of our wages. Once you’ve got your after tax amount, you can then break it up into three portions.

Portion 1 – Needs

Needs are things like food, gas, rent, utilities, medicine and insurance and should not take up more than 50% of your income. This is the time when honesty is the best policy and where it becomes all too easy to blur the distinction between needs and wants. Needs are things you cannot live without. Wants are things that you can live without for the time being but won’t affect your quality of life in general.

Portion 2 – Wants

Wants, according to the 50/30/20 guide are taken up by things like new clothes, unlimited mobile plans, cable television and entertainment. The plan allows you 30% for wants. This is the time when making lifestyle changes and important distinctions will get challenging.

For example, bread is a necessity on your grocery bill but cookies and ice cream are wants. No point lumping those grocery ‘wants’ onto your ‘needs’ grocery bill or you’ll find your plan won’t work. So, when it comes to groceries, it might be a good idea to split your bill into two portions, needs and wants and then take an average over a month to see roughly how much each portion comes to each week.

Portion 3 – Savings and debt repayments

The final 20% of the plan is allocated to savings and/or debt repayments. When it comes to credit card bills and loan repayments, the rule is that minimum payments are considered as needs because if you don’t pay them you will damage your credit rating. Anything above or beyond the minimum repayment is considered a debt and can be taken out of this final 20%.

Again, it’s no use putting ‘wants’ on your credit card and then putting it into the debt portion of your budget. You are avoiding the bad habits that have got you into trouble in the first place.

Do you think you can do it?

The whole point of creating a budget and sticking to it is to face the reality of your financial limits. Learn what you can and can’t afford. This is the hard part. Being accountable and facing your limits is the challenge here, not the budget itself. It’s not easy to come to terms with the fact that you can’t afford to dress the way you’d like or go out as often as you’d like. But by making adjustments you will learn to live a more satisfying existence that you can maintain and control.

Many apply this 50/30/20 rule only to realize that their needs take up way more than 50%, and that’s when it can get tough and take time trim the excess in your life. But with persistence and patience it can become a guide that you adopt your whole life that will mean you are prepared for life’s unexpected financial costs and also for your future.

Do you use the 50/30/20 rule for your budget? Do you think you could?

image credit

A lifestyle journalist from London, Kitty Hastings has years of experience writing about home economics, parenting, fashion and travel and how to balance your budget both inside and outside the house. She recommends Eccount Money Solutions, a leader in the field of companies specialising in helping people with money problems. Kitty’s articles appear in a selection of print and online publications – and she loves nothing more than relaxing with a cup of tea and a good book and adores everything vintage.

Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link.

The post 50/30/20 Budget: Can it Work for You? appeared first on Newlywed Survival.

This post brought to you by CB2. All opinions are 100% mine.

Combining design styles can sometimes be a difficult task for newlyweds. Especially when you have very different ideas of what is appealing or appropriate. Imagine trying to design furnishings and interior spaces with your spouse! That is exactly what husband and wife designers Robert and Cortney Novogratz do on a regular basis. Their latest adventure is to partner with CB2 to create the CB2 and Novogratz Collection.

CB2 and Novogratz Collection

This beautiful collection was inspired by their vacation home in Brasil. It is full of bright colors and warm wood tones. However, my favorite piece, the Robert & Cortney Book Ends (shown above) actually has neither. I think they are perfect for any married couple… especially those that like to read like my husband and I! Check out some of the other pieces shown below. Aren't they great?

CB2 and Novogratz Brasil sweepstakes

To celebrate this wonderful partnership, CB2 is holding an amazing giveaway! In the CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes you and 3 friends could win the trip of a lifetime! Win a one week stay at the vacation home of CB2 collaborators Bob and Courtney Novogratz in beautiful Trancoso, Brazil. 10 other lucky winners will receive a CB2 giftcard worth $100 along with a personally signed copy of the book “Home by Novogratz”.

How to enter: Enter via cb2.com/sweeps.

Dates for entry: May 2nd through June 3rd.

Follow CB2 on their social media channels for more updates on the Brasil trip of a lifetime

• Twitter: @CB2Tweets
• Pinterest: CB2
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cb2

The post Husband and Wife Design Duo #CB2NovogratzBrasilSweepstakes appeared first on Newlywed Survival.

Most popular recipe

Welcome to week 11 of The Newlywed Table recipe link up! Last week’s most clicked recipe was from Maria at Staying Close to Home – Rhubarb Pie. I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t know a rhubarb if I ran into one on the street, but this pie looks delicious! Check out the recipe on her site…

Click on the photo and pin on Staying Close to Home.

Recipe I want to try

The recipe I really want to try from last week is the Tahini Roasted Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus from Erica at This Flourishing Life. I love bacon, and I love asparagus, but I have never tried the two together – sounds yummy doesn’t it?

Click on the photo and pin on This Flourishing Life.

Link up your recipes

Now to this week’s link up! What do you need to do? Not too much…

• Easy requirements…
  • Only link to one recipe (please no other posts)
  • Only link to recipes with photos you are allowed to share (your own, or you have been given permission)
  • Please link directly to the post, not to your blog
  • By linking, you give me permission to use your photo with a link back to your recipe in next week’s post if you are featured.
• Not required, but greatly appreciated…
  • It would be great if you could visit at least two other posts and get some awesome recipe ideas.
  • I would love it if you could link back to this post from your recipe. You can use a text link, or you can grab the image at the top of this post.
  • Leave a comment after you link up; I will stop by your site and leave a comment for you as well.
  • Follow Newlywed Survival on your favorite social media site.

Thank you so much for joining in on the fun and sharing!

Join me at The Newlywed Table – Recipe Link Up ow.ly/kZuYC This week features #recipes from #ericasTFLblog and @stayclosetohome

— Newlywed Survival (@NewlywedSurvive) May 14, 2013

The post The Newlywed Table – Recipe Link Up and Features #11 appeared first on Newlywed Survival.

Attics, basements and garages tend to be the place to store all of your extra junk. Many homes with garages have gotten to the point where the garage is full of storage items and no room for the car! If you are lucky enough to have a garage, are you able to park in it? If you could just get organized, you may just be able to use that garage for its intended purpose! Here are 5 awesome garage organization products that can help you get back on track.

Go vertical with storage

Make sure that you are taking advantage of the wall space in your garage. Try these ideas to get you started:

These Round Hole Pegboards create a perfect base for a wall storage unit. Just add hooks and shelving and you can put small tools and garden supplies in their place.

This 8 Foot industrial quality garage organizer can hold a lot of your taller tools like rakes, shovels, ladders; and sports equipment like hockey sticks and fishing poles.

The Gorilla Rack Shelving Unit creates a sturdy surface to place some of your more odd-shaped garage items such as paint cans, kid’s toys, and holiday decorations. Place a couple of these next to each other and you will have a ton of storage space.

Do you have a family of bike riders? This Wall Mounted Bike Rack can hold up to 4 bicycles at ones! Much better idea than leaning your bikes against the wall, right?

Don’t forget the overhead space!

One of the best places to store items in your garage is above your vehicles. Overhead storage is relatively cheap and easy to install. The Adjustable Overhead Storage System shown above is perfect for items you don’t use all year round like holiday decorations and picnic supplies.

What is your favorite product to organize your garage or shed?

photo credit: crumj via photopin cc

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

The post 5 Best Garage Organization Products appeared first on Newlywed Survival.

Most popular recipe

Welcome to week 10 of The Newlywed Table recipe link up! Last week’s most clicked recipe was from Shrinking on a Budget Weight Watchers Meal Plans – Skinny Buffalo Chicken Salad. I am currently following Weight Watchers, so this recipe is right up my alley! Go to the site and check out what makes it skinny…

Click on the photo and pin on Shrinking on a Budget Weight Watchers Meal Plans.

Recipe I want to try

The recipe I really want to try from last week is the Reese’s Cup Muffins from McKenzie at In the Mix. It only has 5 ingredients, so it is easy to make… and it has Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Who could ask for more? Don’t they look delicious?

Click on the photo and pin on In the Mix.

Link up your recipes

Now to this week’s link up! What do you need to do? Not too much…

• Easy requirements…
  • Only link to one recipe (please no other posts)
  • Only link to recipes with photos you are allowed to share (your own, or you have been given permission)
  • Please link directly to the post, not to your blog
  • By linking, you give me permission to use your photo with a link back to your recipe in next week’s post if you are featured.
• Not required, but greatly appreciated…
  • It would be great if you could visit at least two other posts and get some awesome recipe ideas.
  • I would love it if you could link back to this post from your recipe. You can use a text link, or you can grab the image at the top of this post.
  • Leave a comment after you link up; I will stop by your site and leave a comment for you as well.
  • Follow Newlywed Survival on your favorite social media site.

Thank you so much for joining in on the fun and sharing!

Join me at The Newlywed Table #recipe link up ow.ly/kMKvA This week features a@shrinkonbudget recipe and Reese’s Cup Muffins!

— Newlywed Survival (@NewlywedSurvive) May 7, 2013

The post The Newlywed Table – Recipe Link Up and Features #10 appeared first on Newlywed Survival.

This post brought to you by Arby’s. All opinions are 100% mine.

Okay, you may be wondering what these sandwiches have to do with the idea of a second honeymoon. Well, I'll tell you… in a minute. First, how would you like to take your second honeymoon (or the honeymoon you never had) in Hawaii? My hubby and I honeymooned in Hawaii, and I would highly recommend it to everyone!

Well, you may just be able to win a trip to Hawaii courtesy of Arby's! Now do you see where the photo came from?

Arby’s KING’S HAWAIIAN roast beef sandwich

For a limited time, Arby's is partnering with KING’S HAWAIIAN to bring two new sandwiches to their menu: the KING’S HAWAIIAN Roast Beef and KING’S HAWAIIAN Roast Beef & Swiss. Both sandwiches are served hot, and made fresh to order!

• Arby’s KING’S HAWAIIAN Roast Beef sandwich comes with an extra helping of freshly sliced roast beef, piled high on a soft and slightly sweet KING’S HAWAIIAN bun
• Arby’s KING’S HAWAIIAN Roast Beef & Swiss sandwich has the same extra helping of roast beef and KING’S HAWAIIAN bun, topped with Swiss cheese, crunchy pickles and creamy Dijon spread

Arby’s Hawaiian Getaway Sweepstakes

To celebrate their partnership with KING’S HAWAIIAN, Arby’s is hosting a Hawaiian Getaway sweepstakes! The Grand Prize?

• A round trip for two with four nights stay in Honolulu, HI.
• A premium group lesson at one of the island’s premier surf schools, Hawaiian Fire.

So, what are you waiting for? Go to Arby's and try out these two new delicious sandwiches. Once you've eaten, get more details and and enter the sweepstakes at www.ArbysKingsHawaiian.com from April 29 – May 26.

Wouldn't this make an amazing second honeymoon?

The post Second Honeymoon Anyone? appeared first on Newlywed Survival.

Short on workout time?

Not enough time to workout? Try HIIT workouts to get an awesome workout in a smaller amount of time! In fact, studies show that 27 minutes of HIIT 3 times per week gives the same aerobic and anaerobic improvement as 60 minutes of cardio 5 times per week. I like those numbers… how about you?

What exactly is HIIT?

High-intensity interval training or HIIT is the combination—or marriage if you like—of two of the most effective fat-burning workout techniques: high intensity training and interval training. There are three common methods of HIIT: Tabata Method, Little Method and Turbulence Training. Take a look at the infographic below to get more information about each method, the science behind HIIT and how it leads to shorter workouts.

Have you tried HIIT? What do you think?

High Intensity Training infographic by voltiercreative.

The post The Complete Guide to High-Intensity Interval Training appeared first on Newlywed Survival.

Most people prefer not to be overlooked while in their backyard, but privacy is often hard to find in densely populated towns and cities. However, it is possible to use screening trees to provide you with the solitude you need and add a touch of sophistication to even the smallest space. If you’re considering ways to block off your outdoor haven from prying eyes, take a look at these top tips for choosing the right screening trees for any garden.

Evergreens

Evergreens are a hugely popular choice for both screening and fencing because they grow quickly into an appealing, natural shape. The majority of evergreens need minimal maintenance and grow naturally in a cylindrical or cone-like shape that increases privacy and blocks wind to create a more sheltered space. Evergreens are fairly dense and can live at least 50 years.

To create a screen with evergreen trees, plant a back line of fast growing trees and a front row of slower growers. This will help to fill in any gaps and create a dense covering quickly. The most popular evergreens used for screens and fencing include Leyland Cypress and Thuja Smaragd Emerald.  Photinia Red Robin can be raised to sit over the top of fences and has attractive red and green leaves that look incredible in autumn. The tree can be trimmed every year to create a formal screen.

Deciduous

Deciduous trees don’t grow as densely, so won’t provide as much privacy as evergreen varieties. However, they will create a useful wind break to protect your garden from the elements. That said, deciduous trees lose their leaves each winter, which means they won’t give as much coverage during the colder months. Hybrid Willows and Poplars are the most widely used deciduous trees for screening and fencing. Willows can grow up to six feet each year and poplars can reach up to 70 feet within their lifetime. Both varieties are adaptable to different conditions and climates and resistant to disease. The Hornbeam is an ideal alternative to evergreens, particularly in clay heavy soil or where structure, form and shape are required. The Hornbeam’s leaves turn an attractive golden hue in autumn which is ideal for adding a touch of color when summer growth has died down.

Flowering Trees

Not many people choose flowering trees to screen their garden as they shed blossom onto the ground and have more widely spaced branches which don’t provide much privacy. They’re often difficult to manipulate into the shape you want and need to be planted further apart than other varieties. However, there are some flowering trees that can be used for fencing or screening and create a stunning focal point in your garden. For example the Dynamite Crape Myrtle can reach up to 30 feet tall and produces bright red flowers throughout the summer. Cherry blossoms are fairly easy to grow and produce beautiful pink and white flowers.

So if you want a natural and attractive way to turn your outside area into a more private space, then screening trees could be exactly what you’re looking for!

How do you get privacy in your backyard?

Sue Stalley is an integral part of the management team at King and Co, one of the UK’s leading online nurseries with its own premises in Rayne, Essex. Her company specialises in screening trees and regularly consults with customers to find new ways of hiding the contents of their garden from prying eyes!
photo credit: Reigh LeBlanc via photopin cc

The post Screening Trees: How to Get Privacy In Your Backyard appeared first on Newlywed Survival.

Most popular recipe

Welcome to week 9 of The Newlywed Table recipe link up! Last week’s most clicked recipe was from Amber of Aunt Peg’s Recipe Box – Pineapple Lemonade Punch. This would make a great party punch. When she served it at a birthday party, guests suggested it would make a great base for a hard lemonade drink… I agree, and will probably try. Check out the recipe and see what you think.

Click on the photo and pin on Aunt Peg’s Recipe Box.

Recipe I want to try

The recipe I really want to try from last week is the Roasted Pepper Soup from Kelley’s Passion for Nutrition. This is a recipe I know my dad would enjoy; he loves roasted peppers. I go to my parents’ house every week for dinner and sometimes make dinner for everyone. I think this will be one to try.

Click on the photo and pin on Kelley’s Passion for Nutrition.

Link up your recipes

Now to this week’s link up! What do you need to do? Not too much…

• Easy requirements…
  • Only link to one recipe (please no other posts)
  • Only link to recipes with photos you are allowed to share (your own, or you have been given permission)
  • Please link directly to the post, not to your blog
  • By linking, you give me permission to use your photo with a link back to your recipe in next week’s post if you are featured.
• Not required, but greatly appreciated…
  • It would be great if you could visit at least two other posts and get some awesome recipe ideas.
  • I would love it if you could link back to this post from your recipe. You can use a text link, or you can grab the image at the top of this post.
  • Leave a comment after you link up; I will stop by your site and leave a comment for you as well.
  • Follow Newlywed Survival on your favorite social media site.

Thank you so much for joining in on the fun and sharing!

Join me at The Newlywed Table and share #recipes! ow.ly/kz61Z This week features Pineapple Lemonade Punch from @jewelryjar

— Newlywed Survival (@NewlywedSurvive) April 30, 2013

The post The Newlywed Table – Recipe Link Up and Features #9 appeared first on Newlywed Survival.

When it comes to staying healthy, organizing your medical information can be a big help. Medical issues wind up creating lots of information: prescription medicines to pick up and track, doctor’s information, symptoms that creep up, medical expense information, and more. Thus, it is vital to find a good way to keep track of all of your medical info. Here are some tips for keeping all of that information in order.

1. Collect the Family’s Medical Information

The first step is to collect information about the medical well-being of each member of the family. This is helpful for dealing with medical issues for yourself and your family members. Talking to your parents about past medical issues may help you foresee issues for yourself. In addition, if one of your family members has an issue, you will be able to provide important background information to the doctor. It can help to collect this information online or using an app like Family Medical Manager. There may be a lot of info going into this, so these resources can help you keep things in order.

2. Write Things Down

Writing down medical questions and information is vital for keeping your medical info organized. When you are between doctor’s visits and you think of an important medical question, it is important to write it down. That way, when you do visit the doctor, you will be able to remember what you wanted to ask.

In addition, you should write down any info or advice a doctor gives you, if you are afraid of forgetting. It never hurts to bring a pen and paper to a doctor’s appointment. You can also use the aforementioned resources like Family Medical Manager to keep track of doctors’ suggestions.

3. Track Your Medication

Tracking your prescriptions is always important, and while it seems simple, having a list of prescriptions on hand can be very helpful if medical issues arise. Write down any medications you are taking so that you can provide the list to the doctor should you need some kind of treatment. It also helps to use a weekly pill container so that you know what you have taken each day. Even people with great memories can lose track of their medicine some days.

4. Collect Your Doctors’ Contact Information

Having your doctors’ contact information on hand can be helpful whenever you are experiencing some symptoms or need to follow up regarding a past medical issue. Later in life, you very well may have multiple doctors for different health issues, so keep track of all of your doctors’ contact information by collecting it in one place. Doing that can reduce the headache of searching for information when you need it most, like when you have a bad headache and need to call your doctor.

5. Get Support from Your Family

Keep in mind that organizing your medical information and the information for your family does not fall entirely on you. Each person should work to understand the family’s medical status so that multiple people can help out should medical issues arise. In particular, you can get support from your family by bringing a relative (or a trusted friend) with you to a medical appointment. This can be especially important at major medical examinations, because a lot of information can be communicated during such checkups. If the issue is serious, you may wind up having lots of questions and getting lots of answers from your doctor. Having someone there to support you can help you ask all of the questions that need asking and keep track of the doctor’s answers.

Ben Blanchard is the Programming Services Manager for Acadian, the creator of the Family Medical Manager app. The Family Medical Manager app is the definitive medical record app for families and individuals. 
photo credit: mandiberg via photopin cc

The post 5 Tips for Organizing Your Medical Information appeared first on Newlywed Survival.