How we spend our money has changed a great deal over the past few years. Whether you’ve saved more or depleted your savings, we all need some financial inspiration to help us save where we can. Check out these tips, and you’ll be amazed at just how much money you can save with very little effort.

DON’T PAY INTEREST

Put a plan in place to get rid of credit card debt that you’ve accumulated over the years. You might not have a magical solution available to wipe this debt away, but that’s okay. You can achieve the same thing by transferring your debt to a card with 0% interest for a fixed period (six months to nearly two years). This will allow for you to pay off a set amount each month while avoiding paying for interest.

SAVE FIRST & SPEND LATER

You should always pay yourself first, as it’s a great step towards your financial freedom. Use the 50/30/20 budgeting method that can help you manage your money more effectively. This means that 50% of your after-tax pay goes towards your needs (food, bills, gas, etc.), 30% goes towards your wants (eating out, clothing, etc.), and 20% goes towards your future (savings, emergencies, paying off debt). Unfortunately, this rule won’t work for everyone due to individual circumstances, such as living in an area with a high cost of living. You can adjust these percentages as needed so it fits your individual situation.

DON’T SPLURGE ON PAYDAY

Recent surveys shows that roughly 32% of Americans run out of funds before payday. This includes those with a higher income (over $100K) and not only those living paycheck to paycheck. Try limiting situations that trigger you to spend more, stick to a budget (50/30/20), or switch to cash and leave your cards at home. Follow these suggestions and always ask yourself if you really need it?

USE AN INCOGNITO BROWSER

Using an incognito window when shopping online will help you save money by automatically deleting browsing history when the window is closed. This will help you avoid dynamic pricing, which is when retailers alter their pricing based on your browsing and purchasing history. Yes, this really happens! Giving online retailers less to track will also limit the number of promotional emails and ads you see on a daily, which will reduce the temptation to spend.

SHOP OWN BRANDS

Every supermarket has its own brand of products, and these are always a cheaper alternative to name brands that are sold at a higher price. Switching from name branded products to own brands is an easy way to save money on your next grocery bill. In most cases you can barely tell the difference when it comes to the taste and quality of these products. It’s easy to always reach for that branded label you’ve always enjoyed, but making the switch is worth a try. This might not be significant if you’re a serious couponer as coupons are geared towards name brands.

WEATHER THE STORM

If we’ve learned anything over the past few years it’s that having rainy day funds is more important than it’s ever been. It’s possible that yours might be depleted or maybe you never had one to begin with. It’s never too late to start saving, so put some money aside and start that rainy day fund. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to have three months of income set aside for emergencies, and six months if you have a mortgage.

Our outdoor summer festivals will be out in full force this weekend here in Chicago, rain or shine! Hopefully the ‘rain’ part will stay away!! Shall we get started?

The largest free blues festival in the world, the Chicago Blues Festival, is returning live to Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop this Saturday and Sunday. With a diverse lineup celebrating the blues’ past, present and future, this Festival shares the great Chicago-born music tradition while shining a spotlight on the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, and more. This year’s lineup includes headlining sets from blues singer Shemekia Copeland, guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks and one-time child prodigy Eric Gales, plus a special “Women in Blues” showcase on Sunday paying tribute to legendary Chicago blues singer Mary Lane!  And, for the first time this year, concerts in several Chicago neighborhoods will honor those neighborhoods where Blues was born in Chicago!!

Taste of Chicago pop-ups will return this year with events in three Chicago neighborhoods in June while a bite-sized version of the classic lakefront food festival (Taste of Chicago) will be held in July. This weekend, Taste of Chicago Austin will be featured on Saturday (12 p.m. – 8 p.m.) at 5720 W. Chicago Avenue in the Austin neighborhood. This pop-up features top local food vendors offering everything from Caribbean bites, savory soul food, the best tacos, mouthwatering gumbo and more! Plus, live Blues music will be on hand celebrating the living legacy of the Chicago Blues on the city’s west side with top talent from the Chicago Blues Festival performing throughout the day!!

Grant Park’s Butler Field (100 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in The Loop will be filled with plant-based foodies for the highly anticipated Vegandale Chicago as it returns to the city this Saturday from11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Not only will fest goers experience the best in vegan comfort food from over 100 vendors from across the continent and beyond, but they will also experience an epic party with all the drinks, music, contests, and more!

The event formerly known as the Hyde Park Brew Fest is transitioning to a full-out music festival now known as the Hyde Park Summer Fest this Saturday and Sunday at the Midway Plaisance (E. 59^th St. and Ellis Ave.) This Fest will feature a stacked lineup of artists, DJs, and brewers in the Blue Moon Beer Garden where you can sample over 40 craft beers which include the New Blue Moon Light Sky and Blue Moon Haze!

Andersonville’s beloved summer street fest, Andersonville Midsommarfest, returns to Clark Street with a newly expanded footprint from Catalpa Avenue to Foster Avenue this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m. – 10 p.m.). This Fest gathers enthusiastic Chicagoans for a weekend filled with Swedish-themed festivities, tangy international food, energetic entertainment, exclusive artisans and vendors along with an array of family-friendly interactive activities!

It’s time again for the Wells Street Art Festival which is returning to Wells Street between North Avenue and Division Street in the Old Town neighborhood this Saturday (10 a.m. – 10 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. – 9 p.m.).  Explore stunning and innovative works of art from a diverse mix of nearly 125+ juried artists from both the region and across the nation. Other weekend highlights include tasty treats and savory bites from the neighborhood’s eclectic restaurants, a cool music stage featuring local bands and the Jesse White Tumblers, and kids’ art activities!

Happy Festing!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Pride Month brings out the best in Chicago’s restaurants. Many are bringing out special rainbow-themed concoctions and potions, as well as donating a portion of their proceeds to LGBTQIA+ causes.

One casual, fun café going all-out for Pride Month is the Goddess and the Baker. Along with their cousins at the Goddess and the Grocer, their locations are serving breakfast, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and coffee  “all day, every day.” Just like their cousins, the team is donating $1 from the sale of each Rainbow Cake slice to Center on Halsted, the Lakeview LGBTQ+ service and community center, according to Eater Chicago.

The breakfast and bakery combination produces healthy and fresh combinations like the Iron Man Scramble, fit for Tony Stark. Egg whites are scrambled with red peppers, chopped poblanos, onions, and arugula, then topped with sliced avocado and served with multigrain toast, a side of salsa verde, and your choice of mixed greens or fresh fruit. Shashuka is a classic Israeli dish of baked eggs in a hearty spicy tomato & pepper sauce, topped with feta and served with toasted sourdough bread. Their Mediterranean Frittata combines eggs, kale, mushrooms, caramelized onions, fire-roasted tomatoes, artichoke hearts, Chihuahua & parmesan cheeses, and topped with arugula, served with toast or pancakes and your choice of hash browns, fruit or mixed greens.

They call this a dessert, but it also looks like a great breakfast- their Blueberry Chia Rice Pudding Jar ismade with almond and coconut milk, chia seeds, and basmati rice, then topped with fresh blueberries and toasted coconut.

Sandwiches and salads should not be missed, including their Grilled Salmon Kale Caesar Salad topped with Grilled salmon and a 6-minute egg, and served with asiago-herb crackers, or their Chicken Gyro Naanwich, combining Chicken gyro, Greek salad and Tzatziki on toasted Naan.

Wash it all down with a specialty drink, including their Goddess Gringo Horchata, with espresso, rice milk and cinnamon over ice, or a fancy Glitter Gold Latte.

For Pride Month, besides their famous Rainbow Cake, they also offer a vegan and gluten-free Pride Confetti Cookie Sandwich, with sweet vanilla cream sandwiched between two savory, sprinkle-filled sugar cookies and garnished with festive sprinkles for Pride Month. They also have Macarons, with their 5-pack Rainbow, inclusive of strawberry, passion fruit, lemon, pistachio, and white chocolate. Proving that love is love is love, there’s a rainbow-festooned Heart Cookie. 

One recent TripAdvisor reviewer gushed about the Goddess. “THANK GOD FOR THAT AVOCADO TOAST! My mom is difficult when it comes to breakfast: she doesn’t like anything sweet and she doesn’t like eggs… so what else is left? Their AMAZING avocado toast. Sourdough slathered in smashed avocado, crisp greens, and cotija cheese. Needless to say, she loved it, and she loved it every single morning…”

For me, I had something different every day. A sandwich one day, protein bowl the next, some salad another time, however my favorite dish I tried had to be the huevos rancheros. As a frequent visitor of Mexico, huevos rancheros are something I eat on the regular while I’m there. Crunchy tostadas with a delicious red sauce and chorizo mixture, topped with a fried egg? Yum!”

A Google reviewer was equally gushy. “Super lovely bakery!! I love my glitter latte, protein bowl and the rainbow cake. The weather was great so we sat outside. This place made my day :). Only downside is it is close to the subway, the train noise is loud.”

Another source of PRIDE for the Goddess and the Baker? Don’t miss their patio at 165 W. Superior, which has been “decked OUT with a fabulous Luft Balloon installation!”

During the summer months, the Goddess and the Baker partners with Yoga Now to host Yoga + Coffee on Tuesdays at 8am, 9am and 5pm at their 165 W. Superior location. 

The Goddess and the Baker’s downtown Chicago locations include 33 S. Wabash Avenue,  225 N. La Salle Street, 44 E. Grand Avenue, and 181 W. Madison Street. For their extensive menu, online ordering, and location hours, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

It’s nearly impossible not to be bombarded with news and information about how much safer and healthier organic food is for our bodies. Although, we also know how much more expensive organic produce can be.

SO WHY NOT GROW IT IN YOUR OWN YARD?

Contrary to what some may believe, growing a home garden doesn’t require extensive farming experience or the latest tools of the trade. It’s actually a lot simpler than that, and can help make your home a more sustainable one for you, your family, and even the environment.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A GARDEN AT HOME?

First of all, let’s go over the benefits of having a home garden:

Quick access to fruits and veggies – Instead of having to run to the grocery store every time you run out of salad or fresh basil, you can just stroll on over to your backyard to fetch some. Save yourself time and gasoline by foregoing the daily trip to the supermarket and visit your home garden instead.

Gain control over the food you eat – Even when food products are labeled “organic,” not knowing exactly who’s growing the food and how they’re handling it can be bit unsettling. Instead, by growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you gain control over exactly what chemicals are being used, or avoided altogether. That way, you truly know just what you’re putting in your mouth.

Reduce your carbon footprint on the environment – Having a home garden allows you to make a positive environmental impact. You can start a compost pile where you can recycle certain yard and kitchen waste products to produce a nutrient-rich additive for the soil in your garden. Not only does this create a natural fertilizer for your plants, it also minimizes the waste that you produce. And if you decide to avoid the use of chemicals, you can even reduce pollution and groundwater contamination.

Enjoyment and satisfaction – For many homeowners, watching their gardens go from seeds to fruit- and vegetable-bearing plants can be a real source of accomplishment and enjoyment. Seeing your hard work come to fruition can be really rewarding.

HOW TO GET YOUR OWN HOME GARDEN STARTED – AND FLOURISHING

Follow these tips to ensure you garden grows healthy, abundant plants, and trees to feed your family, and maybe even give you enough leftovers for the neighbors!

Test the soil – One of the first things you should do is make sure that the soil you plan on planting your seeds in is fertile enough to produce healthy plants. It’s pretty easy to do this – all you need is a cheap soil test kit that you can find at your local nursery.

By doing so, you’ll be able to identify whether or not the soil has too high of an alkaline or acid content. Once you’re armed with this info, you can add fertilizer and compost accordingly. While many plants will do well with balanced pH levels, others might prefer soil that’s a little more on the acidic side, and would therefore benefit more from plant-based fertilizers. Other plants do better with manure – it all depends on what you’re planting.

Find out which plants are ideal companions – Not every plant necessarily does well when placed beside specific plants. Find out which types of plants do well when they’re planted side by side. For instance, tomatoes and basil plants do well when planted beside each other; the basil boost the flavor of the tomatoes, and this combination also repels mosquitos. On the flip side, onions and asparagus aren’t the best of companions, and should be planted away from each other.

Make your own compost – Not only is this easy, it’ll also cut down on your household waste. A bunch of things can be added to your compost, such as leaf clippings, food scraps, and other organic items. Keep a compost both indoors and outdoors to make it easy and convenient to continue adding to it.

Add flowers to the vegetable garden – Even though your goal is to grow vegetables and fruit, consider adding some flowers to the garden. Not only will they enhance the beauty of the garden, but they’ll also attract the good bugs that eat plant-destroying aphids, and encourage cross-pollinating.

Add mulch – Adding mulch to the garden will help keep the weeds at bay, help the soil retain moisture, and protect the roots of the plants.

Grow fruit trees that fit your space – Depending on how much space you have to work with, you’ll need to figure out which fruits trees will be suitable in the space you have. A full-sized fruit tree will need an area that’s approximately 25×25 feet big. If you live in an urban area where space is limited, consider dwarf fruit trees; these little trees can thrive in as little as 3×3 feet of space (though they prefer 4×4 feet).

You may also choose to grow semi-dwarf fruit trees against walls to save some space. Dwarf fruit trees bear fruit sooner, so you can start enjoying your peaches or apples with less waiting time. Just be aware that the majority of fruit trees need two of the same type of fruit to cross-pollinate and produce fruit.

Don’t forget to water! – Depending on how much precipitation you get and what you’ve got growing, your garden will need to be watered at least 2 or 3 times per week. Do your homework on the plants you’re growing so you know exactly how much water they require.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s ideal to water either first thing in the morning, or later on in the evening, as watering during the afternoon when it’s particularly sunny and hot can actually burn the plants.

The freshest, safest, tastiest, and most economical fruits and vegetables that you’ll ever eat can easily be grown in your own backyard. Within a few short weeks, you can be bringing your own produce to the dinner table!