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Using the 50/30/20 Rule to Create a Budget

A budget is a visual outline of your financial situation that will give you clarity on where your money is going. Seeing it “on paper” will assist you in coming up with a plan to help you achieve your short-term and long-term financial goals. If you’re someone who doesn’t have the patience for tracking your expenses in detailed categories (ex: housing, transportation, recreation and activities), the 50/30/20 budget might be for you! What is a 50/30/20 Budget? The 50/30/30 rule was popularized by the book All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan by Senator Elizabeth Warren. The 50/30/20 rule budget only requires you to track and divide your expenses into three main categories: needs, wants, and savings or debt. To create a 50/30/20 budget, you start with your net income, which is your take-home pay, the amount after taxes and deductions. Using your net income as your baseline, you divide your expenses into three categories: needs, wants, and savings. Here’s an example of how a 50/30/20 budget might look: If your monthly income is $4,000, then $2,000 (50 percent) would be set aside for needs. Another $1,200 would go toward wants, and the final $800 would go into savings. 50 / Needs Your needs bucket is largest at 50 percent of your net income. This bucket covers necessities such as rent, utilities, renter’s insurance, groceries, health care expenses; at least the minimum payments on your debts; and the bare minimum of basic clothing and supplies for living. 30 / Wants Your wants bucket is the second largest chunk at 30 percent of your net income. This bucket covers things like hobbies, entertainment, gifts, luxuries, etc. Expenses for things you don’t absolutely need but might be inconvenienced by being without (ex: your Netflix subscription), fall into your wants bucket. 20 / Savings The remaining 20 percent will go into savings. Whether you are trying to pay off debt more quickly than required, saving for a new house, or just setting aside emergency funds, 20% of your net income should go into this bucket. Is the 50/30/20 rule budget good for you? Overall, the 50/30/20 rule can be a sound budgeting method for some people. But whether the system is right for you depends on your specific circumstances. Having just three categories to track might help you focus on fine-tuning your finances instead of getting bogged down in the process of categorizing each individual expense. For others, the lack of structure could make it harder to find ways to improve their spending habits. Ultimately, you need to decide whether a budgeting system that’s less detailed or more highly detailed will be best for you, but if you are just starting with a formal budget, the 50/30/20 rule can be a great place to start.

10 "Haunted" Spots in Maryland

The man in black, the goat man, the lady in blue and more! There’s no shortage of spooky legends and old haunted buildings in Maryland. Here are 10 of the most terrifying Maryland tales that will keep you awake at night. Read on if you dare… Hager House, Hagerstown Jonathan Hager House Museum / Facebook This house built in 1739 is said to be haunted by two families . Dare to take a ghost tour of this historic home to experience the dark eerie quiet surrounding the home for yourself! The Hager House has legendary secrets that are only shared at night during this spooky time of year. Maybe you’ll even spot the man in black , who is known to roam the grounds of City Park. Jericho Covered Bridge, Kingsville Sean Praglowski / Facebook Constructed in 1865 and one of Maryland’s last remaining covered bridges, this bridge is surrounded by tales of hauntings. People driving across Jericho Covered Bridge have claimed that their car mysterious stopped working , only to look up and see feet dangling above them! One local legend claims a young couple was told they couldn't be together, so they hung themselves from the bridge’s rafters. Antietam Battlefield, Sharpsburg Antietam National Battlefield / Facebook Antietam Battlefield was where the bloodiest Civil War battle took place . Just over 23,000 men were wounded, missing, or killed. Visitors have reported smelling gunpowder, hearing gunfire, and even spotting soldiers in confederate uniforms . Take a ghost tour of Sharpsburg and you might even encounter the woman in black . Fletchertown Road, Bowie Washingtonian An urban legend tells the tale of a mad scientist whose experiments on goats backfired when he was mutated into an evil half-man, half-goat. Said to be six feet tall, hairy and walking upright on its hind legs, the goat man has been reported to be seen attacking cars along Fletchertown Road with an ax, and has even been blamed by one local family for the decapitation of their family pet. Fort McHenry, Baltimore Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine / Facebook Fort McHenry was used as a prison for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, and as a hospital for wounded soldiers during World War I. Visitors often report spectral sightings, like the woman who reportedly saw feet hovering off the ground at a site where there had once been gallows. Some even claim that you can feel a warm spot if you run your hand along the wall of the fort’s old jail. The visitor center, Star Fort and restroom are currently closed due to COVID-19, but the grounds are open 9am-5pm. Spook Hill, Burkittsville fauxto_digit / Flickr Also known as Gravity Hill, cars in neutral on this hill appear to roll backwards uphill . There’s another reason to visit the spooky town of Burkittsville – it’s also the setting of The Blair Witch Project ! Maryland State House, Annapolis Rebecca McGilvray / Facebook The Maryland State House is said to be filled with spirits. The most notable is the ghost of a man who fell from the building’s dome while trying to make repairs. He is reported to flash the lights on and off, open and close doors and more . Union Hotel Restaurant, Port Deposit Union Hotel Restaurant / Facebook Built in the 1700s, there is a tale here of a ghostly lady in blue who has been spotted by customers and employees. Antiques appear to move on their own, broken clocks are heard chiming, and phantom footsteps can be heard throughout. Point Lookout Lighthouse, Scotland Point Lookout Lighthouse Preservation Society (PLLPS), Inc. / Facebook What used to be a hospital for wounded Union soldiers then became a prison for the Confederates. 24 different voices have been recorded in the building. From spectral soldiers captured on film, to a woman in a blue dress, there have been many spooky eyewitness ghost sightings at Point Lookout State Park and Lighthouse. Be sure to check them out here for a scare! Hampton House, Towson Hampton National Historic Site / Facebook This mansion, completed in 1790, was once home to the wealthy Ridgely family and their large staff of indentured servants. Several ghosts are said to haunt the house, including that of Priscilla Ridgely , one of the original owners. Chains beating off the walls, doors opening on their own at midnight, and other strange phenomena have all been reported at this haunted mansion. Whether you believe the legends or not, these stories of supposedly haunted spots in Maryland are sure to give you a chill! Have you been to any of these ghoulish locations? Are there any spooky Maryland spots we left off the list? Let us know in the comments!

Eight Things to Do This Fall!

Even though this fall will be unlike any other so far, there are still plenty of perfect fall time activities you can enjoy while social distancing. From ways to get outdoors and enjoy the fall weather, to activities for cozy nights at home, here are eight of our favorite ideas for things you can do this fall. Go on a Hike Beautiful hiking trails abound in Maryland! From cascading waterfalls to beautiful beaches, to a 190-foot rock outcrop, these trails will take you to some of the most beautiful and breathtaking views Maryland has to offer. If you’d like to do some leaf peeping during your hike, check out this 2020 fall foliage peak map so you know when to go! Have a Picnic It’s the most wonderful time of year for everyone who likes it not-too-hot and not-too-cold. Why not enjoy it with a nice picnic lunch at a local park? Baltimore offers plenty of great picnic spots . Pack a couple autumn treats like this couscous salad with butternut squash and cranberries or these pumpkin cookies with cream-cheese frosting to make the day even better. Visit a Pumpkin Patch There are a ton of great places to pick pumpkins in and around Baltimore . If you grab a pumpkin from Weber’s Cider Mill Farm , make sure you to also snag yourself some fresh pressed apple cider and a fresh baked pie! Weber's is also still celebrating their Fall Harvest Days with the traditional hillside slide, mini maze and more. Just remember to check out their website before you go for the latest COVID-19 related updates. Chapel Hills Farm and Nursery is another great place to grab your pumpkins, as well as some delicious apple cider donuts and kettle corn! Check their Facebook page for updates before you go. Carve Jack-O-Lanterns Once you’ve visited the pumpkin patch, make a day out of carving your pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns! You can download hundreds of free printable stencils here , sorted into categories like traditional, superheroes, video games, animals and more. This site also has some really great no-carve ideas if you want to avoid the mess, and if you’re decorating pumpkins with little ones, here are some toddler-friendly ideas . Before you carve your jack-o-lantern, make sure to pick up some battery-operated candles to safely light up that spooky grin without the use of fire. Roast Pumpkin Seeds Make the most of your pumpkins by scooping out the seeds when you’re carving jack-o’-lanterns. Once you’ve cleaned them, toss them with melted butter and season them with a bit of salt and pepper. Then bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees ! Go Apple Picking Nothing quite says “fall” like walking around an apple orchard while wearing your best flannel and filling your own barrel with fresh, ripe, hand-picked apples. Here are the “ Five Best Places to Pick Apples in Maryland ”. Many of them also offer things like bakeries, petting zoos and corn mazes for some added fall fun. Make Your Own Apple Cider… …or apple pie, or apple cobbler, or candy apples… What are you going to do with all those apples you brought home from the orchard? Turn them into a delicious fall dish , or course! This apple pie caramel apple , covered in crushed ginger snaps and drizzled with white chocolate, looks heavenly. And this apple cider is like the perfect cozy beverage to have ready for all those chilly nights spent streaming your favorite fall movies. Watch a Favorite Fall Movie Grab those roasted pumpkin seeds and that apple cider and cozy up on the couch with one of your favorite fall movies. Netflix has some great options for streaming this autumn, like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Undefeated – an inspiring documentary about a Memphis high school team trying to break its 110-year losing streak. Netflix is also streaming some great Halloween flicks right now, like the Addams Family , Paranormal Activity and Insidious . This year is like none other, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned this year, it’s how to appreciate the little things and get creative with ideas for fun ideas while staying safe and social distancing. How many of these fall activities can you cross off this year? Let us know your favorite thing about fall in the comments!

Tips for Avoiding Work-From-Home Burnout

Before the start of the pandemic, only 25 percent of Americans were working from home . That statistic has increased to 62% since March . While working from home certainly has its benefits under normal circumstances, working from home during a pandemic is not the same as working from home otherwise. On top of the constant access to work and children or others at home as well, there’s the anxiety-inducing 24-hour news cycle, uncertainty about what the future holds and everything else that comes with living during a public health crisis. With all of this, it can be common for those who suddenly found themselves working from home since March to be experiencing burnout. Burnout from work is characterized by the following, among others: Irritability with co-workers, clients and customers Lack of energy Lack of satisfaction from achievements Disillusionment regarding your job Unexplained headaches, stomach problems etc. To help you combat burnout and make working from home a success, we’ve gathered a few tips: 1. Define Your Work Hours Without the physical act of getting in a car and driving home at the end of the day at the office; however, it’s easier than ever to just keep going, allowing our work time to infringe upon our family time. Even if you’ve taken advantage of flex hours and an alternative work schedule, write your new schedule down and stick to it. Maybe your day now ends at 6:30 instead of 5:00 to allow you time during the day to assist your children with remote learning. Whenever your day ends, pretend you have a commute home, and shut it down for the day. 2. Take Breaks Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all just tell ourselves to ignore household chores? Easier said than done, especially since things are becoming untidier fast now that we are home 24/7. Try the Pomodoro Technique to find time for things like the dishes, laundry, social media and playing with children: Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Every four “pomodoros,” take a 20-minute break. Just remember to make sure some of those breaks are actual breaks – breaks during which you take time to rest and refuel your own mind and creativity. 3. Minimize Distractions Numerous studies have shown that humans can’t really multitask , and that trying to do so actually leads to a decrease in productivity. Turn the TV off, leave your phone in another room, and carve out specific time during each day for checking emails – like the beginning and end of each day. Minimizing distractions will also help you stick to the Pomodoro Technique and vice versa, if you know there is time coming up for each of the things that might distract you from your work otherwise. 4. Reward Yourself Always have something to look forward to, and make sure it is on your calendar for one of your Pomodoro breaks. Take a walk, listen to a podcast, facetime a friend…whatever it is that feels rewarding. Taking these breaks to reward yourself for productivity actually energizes you for the rest of your day , so don’t think of it as taking time away from your work, or “stealing time”. 5. Take Care of Your Physical Health Getting regular exercise and adhering to a healthy diet has never been more important . Schedule time in every day for some exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the block. If you can take your exercise outside, all the better, as fresh air can help relieve stress and boost your spirit. . Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, as well. Getting enough sleep makes us happier, healthier and more productive . Not enough sleep is a direct cause of feelings of stress, which will inevitably lead to burnout, under any circumstances. So, make sleep a priority: go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. Keep your bedroom dark and cool, and turn off the TV and other screens at least 30 minutes before bed . 6. Try Meditation You don’t need anything special to meditate, although there are plenty of apps if you need a little extra guidance. Just sit quietly in a comfortable position and concentrate on your breathing. Meditating just five minutes can help calm your mind and reduce negative emotions. 7. Stay Connected Make it a point to connect with friends and family, and not just on social media. Whenever possible find a socially-distant activity that allows you to get together in person: a picnic, a walk, etc. If you’re less inclined to go out or are feeling sick and want to be safe, use apps like Houseparty to connect virtually, so you can still see their faces and hear their voices. The work-from-home routine is likely going to be with us for quite a while. Many employees have reported desiring to continue working from home , even post-pandemic. Use these strategies to prevent WFH burnout and create a routine that truly works for you.

Decorating Your Apartment for Fall

Fall is just over a month away. If you are like most people , autumn, with its pumpkin spice everything, cozy cable knit sweaters and jack-o-lanterns, is your favorite time of year! Get your apartment ready for the greatest season of the year with these décor ideas and tips! Add a Cozy Throw There’s nothing better than cozying up with a blanket and a cup of something warm on crisp fall day. Add some beautiful throws and comfy blankets to your couch and bed to create the perfect cozy spot. Go for classic prints (like this plaid one from Bed Bath and Beyond), and materials like chunky cable knit . Once you’re cozied up under your new throw, check out these movies coming to Netflix this fall and these cozy fall drinks that will warm your soul. Switch Out Pillows You can quickly transform the feeling of a room by trading out pillows. Again, plaids and knits are great options, but you can also go for less subtle options like this pillow set from Wayfair, or this adorable pillow from Kohl’s that will help you show the world you love fall and your fur baby. Add a Fall Scent Fall-scented candles are very popular, but open flames in your home can be dangerous. Instead of the traditional fall candle, consider some of these alternatives to add ambient lighting and delicious scents to your home. Make a Pumpkin Centerpiece Pumpkins are synonymous with fall, but you don’t have to go to the pumpkin patch, or even use real squash to achieve a beautiful and festive centerpiece . We love these sweater pumpkins , these velvet pumpkins , and these rustic wood pumpkins – all found on Etsy! Make a Wreath Dress up your door with a colorful fall wreath. You can buy wreaths from stores like Home Depot , or you can make your own using supplies like cobs of corn, pine cones and swaths of fabric. Here are some great ideas for some DIY wreaths ! Don’t Forget the Welcome Mat Add a festive welcome mat to give you one more reason to look forward to coming home. We like this one from Overstock and this minimal one from Wayfair . Switch Out Your Kitchen Linens Displaying some fall tea towels and oven mitts in your kitchen is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to add some autumn coziness to your home. This pumpkin dish towel from Crate and Barrel is bold and festive, and this heirloom pumpkin oven mitt and potholder set from Williams Sonoma will bring back memories of being in your grandmother’s kitchen. Add a Coffee Bar Fall is the season of cozy drinks – from ciders, to flavored coffee, to hot chocolate. Carve out a little nook in your kitchen for a sweet hot drink station. Make sure you have the essentials – like the perfect fall mugs and canisters for things like cream and sugar. Then add some fall décor accents, like pumpkins, leaves and cinnamon. Get some ideas for bringing it all together on Pinterest. Use Fall Flowers Fresh flowers are such a lovely way to decorate your home, and fall is known for some truly beautiful flowers , like chrysanthemums, dahlias and goldenrod. If fresh flowers are not your thing, you can use dried grains and wheat and a cute and festive vase (like this scarecrow one from Etsy) to create a display that is just as stunning. You can also decorate your own fall vase using items you’d find at the Dollar Store! So tell us, is fall your favorite season of the year, too? When do you start decorating your apartment for fall? Let us know in the comments!

Tips for Living with a Roommate

Having a roommate can be a very rewarding and pleasant experience. Outside of the obvious cost-saving benefits, there’s someone with whom to share the chores, someone from whom to learn new recipes, someone to introduce you to a new circle of friends… But, like with all relationships, it takes work to make it successful. Here are a few tips to make your roommate relationship as enjoyable and supportive as possible: Set Expectations Up Front As roommates, you'll be sharing a small space for a long time, and you'll need to respect each other's needs and preferences. Don't assume that your roommate will just figure out your preferences and expectations; that could lead to a lot of conflict. What are the rules for guests? How are you going to split the chores? Can they help themselves to your milk if they’ve run out? Make sure you and your roommate have a clear understanding of how living together will work so you don’t get on each other’s nerves the entire time. Don’t Keep It In Even with great communication, problems can still arise. If your roommate is doing something that's bothering you, address the issue as soon as you notice it so you can do so in a calm and friendly manner. Maybe your roommate isn’t even aware there’s a problem. The longer you let it go, the more habitual their behavior will become, and the angrier you will get. Not nipping issues in the bud will almost certainly lead to an argument, not to mention, unnecessary stress and anxiety for you. Be Conscious of Your Own Habits What side of the over-vs-under toilet paper argument are you on? As silly as it sounds, getting used to someone else’s habits can be challenging and even infuriating. Do what you can to be a good roommate – try not to leave dishes in the sink, put things back where they belong when you’re done with them and just be mindful that sharing a living space can be a struggle and takes constant work from everyone involved. When you’re inviting people over, give your roommate the courtesy of letting them know ahead of time. Maybe they’ve had a particularly hard day and would rather have a quiet night. Or, perhaps, they need to study and will plan on going to the library instead of coming home to allow you the opportunity to entertain your friends. And when you do have guests, make sure they are respectful of your roommate’s space and expectations, as well. Keep an Open Mind Your roommate can have a background that’s very different from yours or even come from a different culture. He or she may have an entirely different lifestyle, ideology, and perspective than yours. Keep an open mind and respect the differences between you. You might even find the diversity this experience brings to be very rewarding. What tips do you have for making the roommate relationship work? Let us know in the comments.