]]> http://www.mangomoney.com/blog/financial-empowerment/staggering-saving-statistics/feed 0 http://www.mangomoney.com/blog/news-insights/whos-getting-hired-in-2012 http://www.mangomoney.com/blog/news-insights/whos-getting-hired-in-2012#comments Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:00:04 +0000 Mango Money http://www.mangomoney.com/blog/?p=9043 READ MORE »]]> Most of us know that the economy has not fully recovered. As the 2012 elections near, political candidates, businesses, and people everywhere seem to be concerned about unemployment in the U.S. Based on the latest figures for July of 2012, the unemployment rate is 8.3%. With this said, there are thousands of people still getting hired every month in this volatile economy. At Mango we decided to take a deeper look at who these people are and what they do. Are  you  employed or looking for a job? Share your comments below.

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(C) 2012 Mango Financial, Inc.

Now we’re not saying that you should create a study hour everyday to go over math and vocabulary with your kids—that wouldn’t be much fun for anyone. But there are ways to keep your kids’ brains sharp during the summer so that when they do go back to school, they won’t be struggling just to remember what they learned last year!

So don’t let your child be a victim of the summer vacuum. Check out these 7 tips to keeping your kiddos learning over the summer. They’re fun, they’re inexpensive, and some of them will even help you out around the house!

1)   Let them plan a trip. Now this doesn’t have to be a big, expensive summer vacation; it could just be a daylong trip in your own city. The point is, by allowing your child to research a place and choose the activities that interest them; you are nurturing their creativity and more logical planning skills. Give them a budget, time frames, and distance and from there you can base your itinerary on what excites them.

Note: This is probably a better activity for older children, else you might end up taking a “trip” to a candy store for 12 hours.

2)    Create a scavenger hunt. This is fun for everyone—yes even you. The more creative you get with it, the more fun and challenging it will be for your kids. You can choose objects inside and/or outside of your house; you can even make it a neighborhood or citywide event. For some great printable scavenger hunt ideas, check this out.

3)   Plant a garden. What do you mean, “What does this have to do with staying sharp?” Hello science lesson! You can start from seeds or small plants and as you and your child watch the plants grow, you can discuss the elements that plants need to stay strong (earth, air, water, sunlight…), and introduce them to photosynthesis. (Here’s a fun little video for your kids explaining photosynthesis!) Vegetables are especially fun because your child can learn where food comes from and can eat the end product as well.

4)   Start a collection. Is your child interested in old coins? Stamps? Fossils, rocks, leaves, certain animals, figurines…? Maybe your child doesn’t even know yet what he/she is interested in, but starting a collection is a great way to find out. Start by taking your kids to the library to browse various subjects—animals and their prints, plant life, geology, etc. When they show an interest in a subject, ask them if they’d like to start a collection. If it is something outdoors, like animals, rocks, fossils, etc. you can go on “an adventure” to collect or take pictures of these things. If it is something like old, collectible figurines or store-bought items, this can be a great lesson on money management and how your kids can spend their allowance.

5)   Cook and bake. This is a great way to practice math and science skills without your kids ever knowing they’re learning! This can be a fun activity to do together and it can take some of the items off of your plate (pun intended) if you’re making dinner. Click here for some simple and inexpensive recipes that you guys can whip up together, and for more on the science behind cooking, check out this site. It’s a fun look at the science behind all things food (even candy!)

6)   Read, read, read. Teach your kids early on what fun reading can be. It doesn’t matter if they’re reading textbooks on science or science fiction—the point is, just get them to read!  Recent research done by neuroscientist Stanislaus Dehaene clearly shows that by learning to read early on is not just a singular skill; it improves the way the brain functions in several critical ways. So start a reading hour where you and your child can both sit down, relax, and flip open a book, or you can even read the same book and discuss it afterward! (Don’t think there is a book that both you and your child can enjoy? Ever heard of a little series called… Harry Potter? Hey, don’t knock it ‘til you try it.)

7)   Sit down and eat together. This is not only essential to keeping a healthy relationship with your family, but it also helps keep your kids’ brains sharp. So rather than sitting in front of the T.V. or a movie for dinner, sit down with them, ask them questions about their interests, listen to what they have to say, and maybe even tell them a bit about yourself! Oftentimes when parents and children don’t get along it is because neither party feels heard. And dinner is the perfect place to start: Sit down, listen, and be present. That’s all.

How will you keep your kids’ brains active over the summer? Share your tips below!

Photos Courtesy of: Mike Miley, ryanrocketship, Per Ola Wiberg ~ Powi, Pink Sherbet Photography, patrikneckman, halle stoutzenberger, Beth Rankin

Sources: Scavengerhuntsforkids.com, MSN.com, Exploratorium.edu, Scilearn.com, GreatSchools.org

So we’ve scoured the Internet and rounded up fifteen of our favorite summer recipes. They’re healthy, they’re easy to make, they’re perfect for any summer picnic, and best of all, they’ll all cost you under $3 per serving!

Click the name of the dish below for the complete recipe.

1)   Chicken and Blueberry Pasta Salad

2)   Cornmeal Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Blackberry Mustard

3)   Barbeque Baked beans and Sausage

4)   Summer Squash and White Bean Sauté

5)   Southwestern Beef and Bean Burger Wraps

*Dishes from Delish.com!

1)   Green Bean and Tomato Salad

2)   Red Curry and Peanut Noodles

3)   Pappardelle with Zucchini, Anchovies, and Mint

4)   Chile-Stuff Cheeseburger

5)   Raw Corn and Radish Salad

*Dishes from FoodAndWine.com!

1)   Limeade

2)   Salted Watermelon

3)   Grilled Peaches

4)   “Sloppy Jacks”

5)   Eggplant Mini Pizzas

*Dishes from CheapHealthyGood.com!

So grab a blanket, a basket, and some friends and family and enjoy that summer picnic!

What are your favorite simple summer foods?

Images courtesy of: surekat, ugod, boo_licious

Sources: Delish.com, Foodandwine.com, CheapHealthyGood.Blogspot.com

Here’s a little something to think about: Even though 70% of the Earth’s surface is made up of water, 97% of that is salt water, leaving only 3% for fresh water. Of that fresh water only 1% is fit for human consumption. Only 1% of all water is fit for human consumption! Now I’m no math whiz, but it seems to me that we’d better start stretching that 1% a little more wisely if we want to make it last.

Besides, conserving water around your home and in your daily life will not only help the environment, humankind, and support life on this planet as a whole (no big deal or anything…) but it will also save you money!

So take a look at these  12 ways to conserve water and conserve your cash.

1)   Switch to low-flow appliances. According to the EPA, the average American Family uses 127,000 gallons of water a year! With low-flow appliances you could reduce this number by up to 40,000 gallons—huge savings on your water bill. Check out this nifty infographic to find out just how much and where you could save with low-flow appliances.

*A great way to gauge whether or not your shower is using too much water is this: if it fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 25 seconds, it is wasting water! Replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.

2)   Run washers only when full. This includes the washing machine and the dishwasher. Cut your usage of these appliances and you could save up to 1,000 gallons per month!

3)   Use your garbage disposal sparingly. Try creating a compost pile—this will save gallons each time you don’t use your disposal, and you can also use the compost as natural fertilizer in your garden or yard!

4)   Turn off the water in the kitchen. While you’re washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Just fill up one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

5)   Turn off the water in the bathroom. Just like turning off the faucet while you’re washing dishes, turn off the water in the bathroom. Gentlemen, simply fill up the sink rather than letting the water run while you’re shaving, and everyone, don’t leave the water running while you brush your teeth! C’mon!

6)   Shorten your shower. This might sound trivial, but it really can help. Shorten your showers during the summer for just a minute or two and you could save up to 150 gallons per month.

7)   Check for leaks. Here’s a great tip for checking for leaks in your bathroom: Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without you flushing, you have a leak! Fix this and save up to 1,000 gallons a month!

8)   Water your lawn sparingly. According to CBS, Americans are the world’s biggest water users, and about 50-70% of that water used is on landscaping. Experts suggest watering your lawn only every 5-7 days.

9)   Water your lawn at the right times. Water your outdoor plants and yard at night before you go to bed or early in the morning before the sun comes up (night is preferable so that it has the whole evening to soak in, because the sun will cause faster evaporation!) Also, avoid watering on windy days.

10)  Check your sprinklers. If you have a sprinkler system, adjust the sprinkler heads to make sure that they’re actually watering your lawn rather than spraying all over the street or at the house.

11)  Try xeriscaping your yard. Xeriscaping involves planting things that don’t require much water or attention. In short, it makes life easier, your yard prettier, and it saves a ton of money in the long run on your water bill. Find out how much you can save by xeriscaping here.

12)  Wash with cold water. Wash your dark clothes with cold water and you’ll not only keep their colors more vibrant, but you’ll also conserve water and energy.

So conserve water and conserve your cash! For a list of 100 more ways to save water, check out the folks at WaterItWisely.com.

How do you conserve water during the hot summer months?

Photos Courtesy of: cutglassdecanter, garann, anieto2k,  James Cridland,  Douglas Heriot, Jeremy Levine Design,

Sources: EcoEvaluator.com, Eartheasy.com, SouthernLiving.com, WaterItWisely.com,

1)   Grow your own food. Seeds only cost about $2-$3 per packet and ultimately you can save a ton on groceries! Let me break it down for you: a home veggie garden will result in a 1 to 25 cost-savings ratio. So you could spend $50 total on seeds and fertilizer, or about $1,250 on groceries from the store. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy the summer sunshine. Here’s a great guide to vegetable gardening over the summer.

2)   Plan a staycation. In the US, the average family of four will spend about $1,000 on their vacation this year. This is not a wagon that you want to jump on! Save some money and plan a “vacation at home.” Check out attractions in your own city; act like a tourist; go swimming; see museums; or even just relax at home or at the park! A vacation doesn’t have to mean travel or big spending; it can simply mean taking some time for yourself and your family.

3)   Get creative with summer camps. Sending the little ones off to summer camp seems like the thing to do these days—but it can also be the most expensive activity of the summer! So get creative. Check out your local rec or community center or your local YMCA. Lots of religious organizations, churches, zoos, and even musuems often run more affordable summer camps for kiddos. So if your child wants to go to camp (or if you want your child to go to camp, full-time workers…) don’t fret; there are inexpensive options out there.

4)   Turn down your hot water. This is something we don’t often think about, but it can save you a good amount of money over the summer! According to the USDE, we spend about $310 to $400 or more each year heating water for our homes. During the summer, though, how many of us are eager to step into a steaming hot shower? So turn it down, even just a little. It’s likely you won’t even feel the difference—except for all that money you’ll be saving.

5)   Make your own personal care products. According to the Department of Labor’s latest survey, the average family spends about $526 each year on “personal care” products (shampoo, moisturizer, face wash, etc.) But you can easily make your own resulting in A)Less money spent, B)A fun, new hobby, and C) delightfully smooth skin. Check out our post on saving on personal care items and creating your own.

6)   Water carefully. According to CBS, Americans are the world’s biggest water users, and about 50-70% of that water used is on landscaping. Something you might consider is xeriscaping your yard, which basically just means using plants that don’t require much water. Check out this video on xeriscaping to learn more. If this isn’t your thing, try watering your yard only every 5-7 and do it at night or early in the morning before the sun comes up.

7)   Save on movies. Summer is a time of big blockbuster movies, but these trips to the theater don’t have to be expensive. Save by catching the movie during the day for a lower price and bring in your own snacks. Not only will your goodies undoubtedly be healthier (right?) but you’ll also spend about $5 less per person. Just be sure to stick them in a purse or bag when you bring them in… Want to save even more? Wait until the movie is out for rent and check out some of the DVDs available for free at your local library!

8)   Ditch the cable. I know this might sound insane to some of you, maybe especially those with kids home from school for the summer. But hear me out: if you cancel the cable, you’re not only saving a ton of money, but you’re also freeing up days and days worth of time for getting outdoors and having fun! Experts say that some children lose over two months worth of learning over the summer—and I have a hunch that setting them in front of the T.V. might have something to do with that. So save money, save brain cells, have fun, and cancel that cable (at least for the summer.) How do you plan on saving this summer? Share your ideas below!

Photos Courtesy of: hortulus, AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker, VIUDeepBay, utini, Precise Monkey, wolfpix, jbhthescots, ˙Cаvin 〄

Sources: TLC.com, YMCA.net, Energy.gov, CBSNews.com, Youtube.com, MSN.com, QuickAndSimple.com

Getting There

1)   Airline tickets. First things first: booking your flight. If you’re planning on flying, you’ll want to book your flight 45-60 days in advance and for the very best deals, try booking on a Tuesday afternoon when the fairs are lowest, and check out this infographic to find the travel site that is right for you.

2)   Travel light. Airlines are starting to charge for checked bags, no matter how much they weigh. So if you can, pack light enough to carry on your bag. Plus, this way there’s no way the airline can lose your luggage! (Also means that if you lose it, you can’t really blame the airline…)

3)   Drive—if you can. Driving sometimes sounds more economical, but that isn’t always the case. It really depends on how far you’re going, how high gas prices are at the time, how many people will chip in on filling up… To find out which option makes more sense for your trip, click here.

Eating There

1)   Plan your meals. Check out restaurants nearby with UrbanSpoon. This way you can check out the place’s menu, the prices, and the health factors before you’re starving and ready to scarf down anything. This will not only save you money, but also time, and possibly energy arguing over which restaurant you’d prefer (believe me, hungry + walking around aimlessly + differing opinions… well, it can be bad.)

2)   Avoid breakfast at the hotel. Unless your hotel comes with complimentary breakfast (which quite a few do these days), avoid eating in your hotel’s restaurant or ordering room service. Chances are if you walk out the door and just a few streets away from tourist activity, you’ll find a café or restaurant with a much lower price.

3)   Eat more at lunch than dinner. Dinner is almost always the most expensive meal on the menu, so get more bang for your buck by eating a larger breakfast and lunch and then something lighter for dinner. Not only will it save you money, but this is also better for your metabolism.

For more on saving money on food while you’re traveling, check out this list of tips.

Getting Around There

1)   Rent a car. This will only save you money if you’re doing a lot of travelling from your destination and if the public transportation is minimal. For the rundown on various car-renting services, check this out.

2)   Avoid taxis. Sometimes they’re necessary for a quick trip from the airport to your hotel or something, but taxis are often the most expensive way to get around. So go for public transportation, like buses, subways, metros, or trains.

3)   Bike or walk. If you really want to experience a new place and save some major money, just bike or walk where you need to go! You might have to spend a little bit more to get a room in the city’s center, but you’ll make up the price in no time by saving on transportation. To find a bike rental near your vacation spot, click here (U.S. only.)

Staying There

1)   Rent a House or Apartment. When you stay in a house or apartment, you are free to cut back on costs, by buying your own groceries and cooking your own meals, rather than pay for pricey hotel restaurants. This is a great option for large families, and even better for multiple families who can split the cost! Check out Vacation Rentals By Owner for vacation rentals where you’d like to go.

2)   Visit a friend. If you want to skip the hassle of finding (and paying for!) a vacation home or hotel altogether, try bunking up with a friend. You can even start by planning your vacation around where friends or family live. Use the money you save on lodging to sightsee and have fun in the area!

3)   Swap houses. If your home happens to be in a spot worth visiting, you might consider swapping homes with somebody where you’re going. This option isn’t for everyone, but it’s certainly something to consider for an adventure and a way to save! To learn more, check out HomeExchange.com.

So you see, having a great summer vacation doesn’t have to cost you a bundle. Now get out there and enjoy your trip!

Are you going anywhere this summer? How do you plan to save on your trip?

Photos Courtesy of: Kuster & Wildhaber Photography, Adrian Dreßler,  Ian Muttoo,  ansik

Sources: Urbanspoon.com, Oprah.com, Todaytravel.com, RentABikeNow.com, HomeExchange.com, Moneyning.com

But summer doesn’t have to be expensive. As a matter of fact, there are several things that are less expensive to buy during the summer than any other time of the year!

And, yes, some of these items might sound a little counterintuitive (What am I supposed to do with a winter coat in the summer?!) but it’s all about saving you money.

So check out these 8 items that are cheapest to buy in the summer. And for a look at what is cheaper to buy throughout the year, check out our handy dandy shopping calendar.

1)   Winter Clothes. We know it sounds a little silly to stock up on coats, sweaters, and snuggy boots when it is just getting hot outside, but this is just when all of the items from winter are hitting their lowest prices. For more about buying off-season and saving on clothes, click here.

2)   Gym membership. Unless you happen to live in Texas where it is already reaching the upper 90’s during the day, summer is one of the nicest times of the year—perfect for exercising outside. So with more people heading outdoors to exercise, many gyms have huge sales and slash their prices at the beginning of summer. A great time to snag a deal!

3)   Mattresses. New mattress models hit stores in the middle of summer, so it’s easiest to bargain for a good mattress in early summer. It’ll be last year’s model, but hey, it’s a mattress; it’s not an iPad. Check out the deals going on at Sears.

4)   Tools. Sounds strange, but there is a reason behind this sale: the dads. Father’s Day is in mid-June so in anticipation for this, hardware stores tend to lower their prices on tools. So even if you’re not buying your dad a hammer, summer can be the perfect time to resupply your toolbox (even in the few weeks after Father’s Day.)

5)   Sports Apparel. By mid-summer, pro and college teams are on break for the season (accept for baseball) and while they’re not playing, their merchandise lowers in value. So if you’re a big fan of a particular team, buy your hats, t-shirts, jackets, etc. during the summer when prices are low.

6)   Furniture. New furniture collections are usually released twice a year, in February and August. So this month, July, is a great time in particular to get a discount on the previous collection.

7)   Home décor. In addition to furniture, home décor (like plates, dinnerware, napkins, and decorations) are also on sale around July. Why? Because summer is wedding season and retailers want to bring in those ceremony-bound shoppers. But hey, even if you’re not getting hitched, feel free to take advantage of these sales too.

8)   Bathing suits. Note: Bathing suits go on sale at the end of summer, around August. Retailers will be ready to clear out their summer stock and start bringing in fall collections, so bathing suits will be at their lowest prices. It can be hard to sort through it all and find a good one in stores, so check out online stores like VictoriasSecret.com, EverythingButWater.com, or even Target’s online store, which will have a larger selection of bathing suits on sale.

What’s on your shopping list this summer?

Photos Courtesy of: born1945, jontunn, spDuchamp, AndyArmstrong, Alan Light, army.arch,  Emily Carlin,  Hobo!

Sources: Sears.com, RealSimple.com, Shine.yahoo.com

Check out these top five posts of the past month!

1)   8 Ways to Stay Cool this Summer on a Budget

2)   The Cost of Kids: Can you Afford it?

3)   Top Five Affordable Countries to Live in

4)   Mango Savings & Money Management: A Fairytale

5)   8 Things you should Never Buy Used

What was your favorite post from this past month? What kind of content would you like to see more of?

And so in today’s graphic, we’re taking a look at just who is going where, who is not going anywhere, how much they’re spending, and on what.

Are you going on a summer vacation this year? Where are you going and how much are you spending?

Sources: Staywise.org, WhatToKnow.org, CreditLoan.com, USAToday.com