Hotel amenities

From luxury to budget-friendly lodging, most hotels and motels provide an array of free amenities to attract guests. Marriott’s Residence Inn delivers groceries to your room, Kimpton Hotels lends you a bike, and Hard Rock Hotel lets you borrow a Fender guitar. For a list, see GoBankingRates.com/saving-money/hotels/things-hotels-give-free.

Read more

Travel guides, maps and planners

Yes, your navigation app is great for getting you there, but paper guide-books and planners are rugged, and they never run out of juice. You’ll find guides, maps and planners for many states at FreeTravleGuides.com. Or just search a state name plus “travel guides.”

Read more

Travel

National Parks

On certain days each year , you don’t have to pay to get into National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee. The last of these days in 2019 is Veterans Day, November 11th. For 2020 dates, visit nps.gov/PlanYourVisit/fee-free-parks.htm.

Read more

Healthy recipes

To make food that’s both good and good for you, get free recipes at websites like EatYourselfSkinny.com, which includes options that are gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy free; AllRecipes.com and Delish.com (search for “healthy” on either site); and DeliciousMeetsHealthy.com

Read more

Meals for grandkids

Taking your grandchildren the next time you dine out won’t cost you extra at restaurants where kids eat for free. Go to WalletHacks.com/kids-eat-free for a list of such places. Call ahead to confirm that a particular restaurant’s deal is still available.

Read more

Birthday Presents

Score a free beverage at Starbucks if it’s your special day and you’re a rewards member. Baskin-Robbins doles out a free scoop if you have an account with the ice cream chain.

Read more

Food – Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

Folks 60 and older who have an income under about $23,000 ($23,000 for a two-person household) can get coupons to use at authorized farm stands and farmers markets. At fns.usda.gov, click Programs at the top of the page; then select Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program from the drop-down menu.

Read more

Over the years, you have gotten money advice from various people, from your parents to a certified financial planner (CFP). However, until you implement that advice, it’s hard to know what will work for you. Below, financial experts share 11 tips about the best money advice they’ve received.

1. Live on less than you make
2. Always use cash
3. Take the willpower out of your savings habits by setting up automatic transfer
4. Start saving while you are young
5. Invest 15% of your salary in a simple portfolio
6. Do not increase your spending when you get a raise
7. Look at your credit report and correct errors that may exist
8. Make the most of your credit card points
9. Don’t work for money; let money work for you
10. Save every $5 dollar bill
11. Always save for a rainy day

Read more

No Long-Term Care policy – It’s not insurance, and one may need to save over and above to ensure their nest egg is large enough to support Long-Term Care needs in the face of rising health care costs.

Many people recognize the rising costs of health care and opt for a traditional LTC insurance policy, which is likely the most cost effective in the long run. Ask your employer about LTC insurance rates. The lowest premiums are available to persons less than age 59. Once you reach age 60 you are in a whole new category and higher rates will apply.

Read more

A Hybrid Long-Term Care Policy –

This is a life insurance policy that lets you use the death benefits for long-term care during life and pays out the remainder to theirs at death. One would have to pay a premium of about $154,000 upfront from a combination of saving and borrowing from retirement accounts. A premium of $2,500 annually. A $120,000 would be covered in LTC payments and $330,000 death benefit.

Pro: There is a values in these benefits even if you don’t use them for care.

Read more