Hi! I’m Josh Elledge, the Chief Executive Angel of SavingsAngel.com and welcome to the SavingsAngel show! I’m podcasting to you on a warm, bright day in Orlando, Florida! 

I am an extremely busy consumer expert, money-saving advocate, syndicated newspaper columnist, and that guy that helps consultants go from 6-figures to 7-figure rock stars at UpMyInfluence.com if you know someone who sells to business owners. I love what I do and can’t wait to get going on today’s episode.

In order to help you save more, earn more and live more abundantly on today’s show I’ll be covering:

• How to Plan a Last Minute Summer Vacation
• Financial Confidence with Credit Karma
• How to Clear Out and Organize Your Home

LINKS FROM THE PODCAST:

creditkarma.com/savingsangel 

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How to Plan a Last-Minute Summer Vacation

If you've put off planning a summer trip, there's still time to have one on a budget if you plan it soon! Check out our tips below on having a last-minute summer vacation on a budget. 

Don't Travel Far

If you're able, travel somewhat locally. Is there a national park with cabins and camping, or a tourist location in your home state? If so, start looking for lodging deals as soon as you decide you want to go on a vacation. If you're able to take time off from work, remember that hotel rates are lower during weekdays than they are on weekends. 

Check websites like Kayak or Trivago to find the most competitive travel and lodging rates. Also, if you have hotel/travel rewards saved up, now would be the time to use them.

Plan and Budget in Advance 

Plan your trip and save the money you need in advance. Stick to this budget and find creative ways to stretch your fund the entire trip. You can break down the whole fund into categories if it helps you keep track of things. 

For example, have one category for food (groceries and eating out), one for lodging, another for paying for attractions or activities, etc. This will tell you how much you have left for each category on your vacation as you spend — and help to cull excess spending. 

Eat Like a Local

Don't spend excessive amounts on food and meals priced for tourists. Research and get to know the area you're traveling to in order to spend as little as possible. Grocery stores are prices for tourists, so consider looking at stores a couple of miles away from any tourist centers in order to get necessities at a reasonable price. 

The same logic goes for restaurants. Beyond that, if you're really trying to keep things on a budget, plan to eat only one meal out per day of your vacation. For your other meals, use things from the grocery store that you can make in your hotel room and pack for your day out. 

Use What You Have

Don't buy a brand new camera, suitcase, or outfit for your trip if you don't have to. Use what you have at home, especially if it's a short weekend trip. Some people are tempted to start spending what cash they set aside for their trip before it's even started; avoid this. If you must buy appropriate weather clothing because you're traveling somewhere with a different climate, do so on a set budget that won't take too much away from your vacation fund. 

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Financial Confidence with Credit Karma

Hey, SavingsAngel friends. Let’s take a moment to talk about credit cards and financial health. Maybe you’re worried about your financial wellbeing; maybe you're entering a new career or phase of life. In any case, you don’t have to go it alone. With Credit Karma, you can be ready for anything.

Credit Karma’s game-changing technology allows you to have peace of mind as you traverse your finances. Credit Karma shows you tailored offers for credit cards and personal loans that you’re more likely to be approved for so you can apply with more confidence than ever before.

They use your credit and other financial information to show you custom recommendations so you always know what the best next steps are for you. Whether you want cashback, travel rewards, or to consolidate debt, Credit Karma can help you find the offers that fit your goals and needs.

I used Credit Karma myself not too long ago to choose and apply for a credit card that maximizes my cashback opportunities. When I looked into getting a new credit card, Credit Karma took my credit, financial history, and the goals I had in mind for my new credit card. Credit Karma offered me a curated list of the best options for me based on my needs. Applying for a credit card that fits my needs and means has never been easier, and the confidence I got from using Credit Karma was a weight off my shoulders — I highly recommend trying it out for yourself. Credit Karma offered me a new sense of direction and ease of mind in applying for credit cards and personal loans. 

With a selection of options and approval odds, you have the power to make informed decisions about your financial health. Credit Karma allows you to apply with confidence.

Go to creditkarma.com/savingsangel to learn more and find offers tailored just for you. That’s creditkarma.com/savingsangel, or you can see your offers on the Credit Karma app. Apply with confidence today. 

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How to Clear Out and Organize Your Home

While the time for spring cleaning has passed, it's never a bad time to tidy up and get organized. With back to school on the way, and the holidays not too long after that, it's probably a good idea to start clearing out old things. Here are our tips for decluttering and reorganizing.

Take Stock of Each Room

Figure out how much stuff is in each room of your home. This seems straightforward, but really pay attention and take note of which rooms have the most things. Remember, there are probably items you didn't even know you had in every room of your home. Make a strategy of which rooms need to be tackled first and go in order. It'll go by even faster if you enlist the help of your kids and family. 

Go Through Everything!

This is one of the most daunting parts of the task, but it's well worth the effort. Go through each and every box, container, bookshelf, closet, etc. Throw away trash and start figuring out what items you really don't need anymore. If you forgot you had it, or there's a layer of dust that's accumulated since the last time you saw the item, chances are you don't need it. This part of things can take a few days, but don't give up!

As you start to make piles destined to be donated, task your kids with going through their own bedrooms and deciding what to keep and what to donate. Guide them through the process, especially if they're young and this is their first time decluttering. It's always good to encourage a ritual like this from a young age.

Take This Opportunity to Deep Clean

In the process of going through all of your things, use this as an opportunity to really deep clean. Dust, vacuum, and wipe everything down as you go. It'll likely be a while before you do this again, so eliminate dust, germs, and allergens now. 

Donate or Sell

Once you've figured out what items you don't need anymore, determine what you'd like to do with the items. You can contact certain non-profit organizations in your area that might be willing to pick up donations from your home, you can drive and donate items yourself at a local non-profit, or you can do something a little more lucrative with your more valuable items.

Websites like Decluttr or eBay are awesome for valuable items you don't want to keep anymore. Whether you have gently used electronics, video games, books, or collectibles if you can make a quick buck selling these items online, do so. Decluttr is particularly easy, as they buy items they want from you right away with fast offers and they provide you with the means to ship the items.

Reorganize 

Finally, now that your home is clean and your house decluttered, if you've been itching for a shift in furniture layout or organization, make those changes now. With more space and less random stuff all over the place, moving around furniture or creating new methods of organization should be easier than ever.