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Once you get behind on your bills, it can be very difficult to catch up on your payments. Debt can cause you to spend more money on interest as well — but if doesn’t have to be that way.
There are some time-tested strategies that you can do to get you out of debt in a calendar year. It’s going to take time, patience and an overall focus like never before on your part. But you can do it.
Yes, You Can Get Out Of Debt This Year
This article is going to tell you some steps to get out of debt.
We’re going to cut straight to the chase so that you can understand how to keep more of the money you make and not spend it immediately.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to pay money to get out of debt.
Here’s How To Get Out Of Debt Without Paying
One way to get out of debt is to ask for a pay increase at your job. Today’s job market is such that you may be able to get more money if you ask for a raise.
Do you have a laptop? Then you can make extra cash. Here are some other ways you can achieve your goal:
What Is The Fastest Way To Get Out Of Debt?
Aside from winning the lottery, which is not something we play, there are not any get-rich quick schemes that can work in real time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make some serious inroads on your finances.
Here are the fastest ways to get out of debt.
Stop Spending
The first thing you need to do is put the credit card down. Obviously, there are things you need to buy, but you also need to slow down or stop spending on unnecessary things.
You might want to write a list of items you need to buy and stick to it. It’s called creating a budget. Once you have that, you will know what kind of money is going into your account and what’s going out.
Keep Your Credit Cards Open
One thing people in debt usually do is close their credit card accounts once they get out of debt. This is a mistake. Keep your credit card accounts open so that you can retain purchasing power.
Pay Off Your Most Expensive Debt First
Once your budget is set, then it’s time to pay off the most expensive debt first. The rationale behind this is to pay off the highest interest rate, which is taking the majority of your money.
If you have a credit card with $800 and one with $400, don’t be tempted to pay off the $400 first. Take care of the $800 because that’s the one you’re paying the higher interest rate on.
Take a look at your expenses and circle the smallest balance. That’s the one you pay first. Not only will this eradicate that particular bill, but it will give you some much-needed momentum to start attacking your other debt.
Pay More Than The Minimum Balance
You’ll never catch up if you only pay the minimum balance on your credit card balance. To make some progress, you always need to pay more than your minimum due.
It doesn’t have to be a large sum of money attached to each payment, but it needs to be extra i.e. more than the amount.
Final Word
Nobody likes to owe someone for a long time, no matter if it’s a credit card company or a person. That’s why credit card debt is so depressing. The good news is that you can get out of debt.
Tired of being saddled with credit card debt? It’s time for you get lighten your burdens and get out of financial trouble.
After you make some headway and get out of debt, it’s important that you stay out of debt. Stay within your means by sticking to your budget.
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You may already know that budgeting your money is the key to a healthy financial life for the present and future. What you may not know is how to allocate your income to achieve this.
Along with maintaining good credit, one way to save money responsibly is to adopt the “Profit First” method.
In this article, I’ll explain to you what the Profit First strategy is all about.
What Is the Profit First Strategy?
The Profit First method is one in which you take upfront any profits you’ve made from your paycheck before you pay your monthly expenses.
For example, let’s say you get a $1,000 check. You know that your expenses are about $700, so you’ll need at least that amount from that check. A Profit First strategy means that you would first take a percentage out of that check – let’s say $100 – and put it in a separate bank account.
Additionally, you might take another $50 from that check and deposit it into another bank account. That would leave you with enough money to pay your expenses while also sharing in the “profit” from that check.
What You Need To Start the Profit First Strategy
Get Out of Debt
The first thing you’ll need to do is get out of debt. If you’re behind on your bills, you can’t allocate money elsewhere.
Read our guide on how to get out of debt.
Open Different Bank Accounts
What you need to start Profit First are separate bank accounts for things you deem important. Here are some examples:
- Open a bank account for vacations.
- Open a bank account for investments.
- Open a bank account for food expenses.
There are different formulas you can come up with to put the Profit First method in action in your life.
Final Word
You want to be intentional about the money you make and how you want it to work for you. The Profit First strategy works for either business owners and individuals.
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Finally, a neighborhood eatery that gives you a hearty meal without all the pretentiousness: Plates is open in New Orleans.
Plates is located in the Warehouse District and specializes in shareable dishes inspired by the best of New Orleans cuisine.
Owned by Louisiana native Chef Farrell Harrison and partner Brian Weisnicht, Plates is open the following hours:
- Monday 5pm – 10pm
- Tuesday 5pm – 10pm
- Wed 5pm – 10pm
- Thursday 5pm – 10pm
- Friday 11am – 10pm
- Saturday 11am – 10pm
- Sunday 11am – 10pm
What’s On The Menu at Plates?
The Plates menu includes an eclectic mix of Old World and New World cuisine encompassing signature dishes from France, Spain, Africa and influences around the Mediterranean.
On the menu you’ll find:
- Gulf Fish
- Pork Porthouse: weet potato gratin, creole mustard bordelaise (gf)
- Garlic Shrimp: Black garlic soubise, chili oil (gf)
- Braised Beef Croquettes: Pimenton aioli, pickled chilies
- Grilled Lamb Skewer: Rosemary yogurt, crushed herbs (gf)
- Saffron Pork Ragu: Fresh pasta, cherry tomatoes, fennel
Where Is Plates Located In New Orleans?
Plates is located at the 1051 Annunciation St. New Orleans, LA 70130. Here is a map to help you find it.
Final Word
New Orleans has one of the best restaurant scenes in the Southeast, and with state of Southern cooking and an emphasis on the culinary arts at an all-time high, that’s saying something.
When New Orleans’ food is mentioned on a national level, it somehow always reverts back to gumbo, which is the best around, although the city’s eateries certainly represent those dishes well, there’s so much more.
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The LSU Tigers face their perennially toughest opponent this week: the Alabama Crimson Tide.
There’s no question that Bama Coach Nick Saban is still smarting from last season’s last-second loss that knocked the Tide out of College Football Playoff contention and ripped the SEC West title out of his hands. Can the Tigers beat Bama again?
LSU Has Key Injuries Heading Into Alabama Game
Tigers Coach Brian Kelly talked to the media on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, telling them that LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo is likely out for the season after undergoing surgery during the bye week.
Kelly said the earliest Wingo could return would be six weeks. Wingo, who has having a breakout season, will be a major blow to the Tigers stoutness upfront.
Other key injuries for the Bayou Bengals include defensive backs Duce Chestnut , Zy Alexander and Denver Harris, who won’t play against Alabama.
If there is any good news for LSU, it’s that Ashton Stamps will suit up and is likely to see action, according to Kelly.
Can LSU’s Young Defense Stop Alabama’s Young Offense?
Alabama is sort of green on the offensive end itself with first-time starter Jalen Milroe behind center. He will face a young LSU secondary that has been burned early and often this season, although things have improved a bit over the past two weeks.
Kelly said that he expects the youthfulness of his cornerbacks to be balanced by their knowledge of the defensive scheme eight weeks into the season.
“More than anything else, you have to have confidence in your players and I have confidence in those guys,” Kelly told reporters.
“These guys are ready to go. They’ve got no choice,” Kelly said.
How To Watch the Game
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Who’s down for some culture with their cuisine?
Black Restaurant Week wraps up in New Orleans this weekend.That means it’s the perfect time to experience some of the city’s food businesses owned by African-Americans.
Black Restaurant Week is all about spotlighting and promoting the Gulf Coast and New Orleans’ African American-owned restaurants, food businesses.
The annual food event also considers its mission as one that educates and raises awareness of the black culinary industry in the United States and its plights and delights.
When Is Black Restaurant Week In New Orleans?
In New Orleans, Black Restaurant Week runs from Oct. 20-Oct. 29, 2023.
Black Restaurant Week sees its role ans one that helps create experiences that will cater to a diverse culture of tastemakers, professionals and area foodies seriously. Gone this year are the panels and food workshops, it’s all about support. That’s why the goal is just to eat at participating restaurants and spread the word.
What began in Houston seven years ago has expanded in major U.S. markets like Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago.
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Selling the clothes on your back may be a stretch, but the items in your closet can bring you a windfall of money, if you now how to do it.
Reselling your clothes is a great way to make money so you can buy other things you want or even get out of debt.
Look in your closet and see if you have some things you wouldn’t mind departing with. That’s how you know what to sell.
In this article, I’m going to tell how you can resell your old clothes for a profit. This is a fast and easy process that can put hundreds to thousands of dollars in your pocket in no time.
How To Make Money By Reselling Your Old Clothes
I know, I know. You’re probably saying to yourself “Can I make some real money by selling my old clothes?” The clothes resale business is a $140 billion business, so yes, there’s money to be made.
Before you sell your clothes:
- Get them drycleaned
- Make sure you’re clear in your pricing
- Be clear on your shipping prices
- Make your refund policy clear
Can I Sell My Old Clothes At Goodwill?
Goodwill is a great place to sell your old clothes. All you have to do is check the hours of operation before you go. Google your local Goodwill stores in your area to find one close to you.
Goodwill will typically take your clothes for free, but some locations will pay you for valuable items.
Where Can I Sell My Old Clothes?
Let’s look at the top places you can sell your clothes in alphabetical order:
Final Word
All of us have older clothes that we no longer wear. We usually put them in the closet and forget about them, but what if we could turn them into money?
If you have unwanted clothes and no place to put them, you can make it a win-win situation by reselling it.
While it’s not a rule, many resellers make it a habit to wash their clothes before they sell them. Again, that’s totally up to you, but it shows that you’re concerned about your reputation as a merchant.
The last thing you want is a bad review after someone has an experience less than grand from buying your wares.
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If you want to dine on the healthier side in New Orleans, you’ve got to be more picky than the casual eater. But don’t fret, many New Orleans restaurants serve vegan dishes.
in this article, we’ll show you the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans.
Is New Orleans A Good City For Vegans?
New Orleans is great city for vegans despite its reputation as a meat eaters paradise. When you think of New Orleans cuisine, you may think of spices sauces that flood over a bed of rice or a slab of meat, but that’s not the only offering (although that is a very tasty one).
It’s pretty easy to find some healthy options at even the most decadent of city restaurants, but you need to do your research to find out what’s on the menu.
Seed
1330 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 417-7333
Here’s what one customer says about seed: “So yummy, we enjoyed it all but my favorite was the Thai noodle salad, my kids favorite was the fried tofu. A pretty atmosphere and very good service. We will be back.”
Sweet Soul Food
1025 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 821-2669
Here’s what one customer says about Sweet Soul Food. “About 7 years ago I was laughed out of room after suggesting a vegan restaurant concept serving classic southern food and other typical New Orleans cuisine. Well, Sweet Soulfood is who’s laughing now. Every dish from their cafeteria style serving line is not only a staple, soul food item like collard greens, red beans & rice, cornbread dressing and shepherds pie. Rather, they’re as rich, decadent and flavorful as their Animalia cousins. And that, is where the real praise is given because that’s where the doubt and criticism always lurked..”
Kindred
7537 Maple St, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 841-9538
Here’s what one patron says about Kindred. “I ordered the brussel sprouts and Mac ‘n cheese to start and ordered the 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐁𝐨𝐲 as my entree. “
I-Tal Garden
810 N Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116 | (504) 515-7321
Here’s what one customer says about I-Tal Garden. “The customer service was great and the food was to die for! Will definitely be back, their rodeo burger was the BEST plant based burger I’ve ever had. I’ve tried many but this one was the best.”
Vegan Wit A Twist
514 S Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70113 | (504) 766-0336
Here’s what one reviewer says about Vegan Wit A Twist: “Some of the best burgers in the city! Vegan or not! Nice central location, great prices, awesome staff. Easy, clean, and safe pandemic pickup. Will be back very soon.”
Plant-Based Nola
540 Adele St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 217-5939
Here’s what one patron says about Plant-Based Nola. “Great food ! Good service.”
Breads On Oak
8640 Oak St suite a, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 324-8271
Here’s what one reviewer says about Breads On Oak: “Best bakery in Nola! The tiramisu eclaires are amazing. All the breads are spectacular. Super friendly service and nice outdoor seating.”
The Daily Beet
1000 Girod St, New Orleans, LA 70113 | (504) 605-4413
Here’s what one customer says about The Daily Beet. “Best Vegetarian breakfast tacos I’ve ever had! Blue dream smoothie was the icing on the cake!”
Final Word
Plant-based food is in for a lot of reasons, especially if you’re trying to get in shape. If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, no doubt you want to eat clean with some food that include meatless options and more.
Please support these restaurants. Here’s more of what one customer says about Kindred. “However, I would go back for the PoBoy. This was the best PoBoy I’ve ever had so the standard is set pretty high. The buffalo sauce really topped it off making me forgot it was cauliflower.”
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For that special someone, you’ve got to make her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. But how will you do that? You’ve got to express how you feel.
In this article, we’ll show you how to show your significant other that you care for her. If you do these things, you have a good chance of making her fall in love.
How To Show Your Love For Her
It’s very important that to show your girl that you’re serious about her, but how do you go about it if she’s not convinced?
1. Tell Her How You Feel
You have to find a way to express yourself so that your girl knows that you have strong feelings for her. That may require you to separate yourself from her competitors or even your friends.
Whatever you do, you have to impress upon her that she is the priority in your life. That’s how you win her over.
2. Show Her How You Feel
You may not be from Missouri, but you have to show her how much your care. That means that you need to do something that goes above and beyond the normal activity or deed.
When you do something out of the ordinary for her, she’ll know that she’s special — and that’s what you want.
3. Spend Time With Her
Nothing shows you care like carving out quality time for the one you love. You may have to call in from work or get off early, but you will have to show her that your time with her is the best way for you to spend your day or evening.
If you spend quality time with her, she’ll appreciate it.
4. Take Her Out To Eat
Who doesn’t like to eat? An enjoyable meal is even more enjoyable with someone you care for. If you take her out and show her a good time, that’s hard to beat.
Tip: Don’t you dare ask her to pay for the meal. If you want to make a big impression, foot the bill and don’t look back. Here are some romantic spots to take her.
5. Be Exclusive
Many people make a big mistake when they arrange for “open relationships,” or non-exclusive dating. All that does is turn the relationship into a competitive one where one transaction deserves another.
Make her feel special by making the relationship an exclusive one where you only date each other. You’ll be glad you did.
Final Word
Make your next move your best move: If you’re involved in a relationship, you know that it takes a lot of hard work to maintain it. But the criticism that many boyfriends have is that they don’t vocalize their love.
Finally, we want to stress something that we alluded to earlier: Be straight up with her. That’s the only way, she’ll be straight up with you.
The more communication you offer, the better the relationship will be. The better the communication, the more she’ll fall in love.
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The older you get, the more you know that you can’t eat any and everything like you used to. That’s especially the case if you’re trying to lose weight, even a few pounds.
If you eat a healthy diet, you can reverse the course of your body by slimming down instead of adding extra pounds. In this article, I’m going to show you how eating better can shed fat from your body.
What Healthy Foods Can Cause Weight Loss?
Losing weight is not a fun subject for many of us. In fact, we may feel that it’s a chore that we’ll never be able to overcome because we love food so much.
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Have you ever had gumbo so good that you wanted to know the history behind it? The dish is one of the most recognizable in the world — and it has become known for New Orleans.
In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about gumbo, that favorite dish for many in the South.
What Exactly Is Gumbo?
Gumbo is a stew mostly found in the southeastern part of the United States, especially in Louisiana, where is is the official state dish.
Gumbo is similar to several other stews, but what separates it is the “Holy Trinity” of ingredients — onions, celery and bell peppers. There are several other ingredients to make gumbo, but it also has a healthy amount of flavored meat, including sausage, beef, chicken, duck, alligator and shellfish.
The dish also has plenty of “roux,” a flavorful thickener which, along with okra, holds the stew together.
Where Did Gumbo Originate?
The word “gumbo,” originates from the term “gombo,” which is a West African word which roughly translates to “okra” in English.
The dish comes from several different international cultures although it is documented that in the mid 1700s, Africans cooked an okra and rice dish eerily similar to what we’d consider gumbo today.
Did Gumbo Come From Africa?
Historians have been able to trace a variation of gumbo to West Africa, although there were several different ingredients made what was available to be grown in the region, which is understandable.
One thing that solidifies that notion that gumbo comes from the Motherland is the word itself, which many believe comes from the African word ki ngombo, which describes “okra” in West Africa.
Scholars believe that Africans abducted in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade bought the tradition of gumbo to the New World.
How Did Louisiana Become Known For Gumbo?
Because of gumbo’s popularity in southern Louisiana, the whole state has embraced the dish. You can find gumbo on restaurant menus from the southernmost border of the state to the northernmost border, not to mention the millions of kitchens in between.
Final Word
If you want to know what is one of the most popular dishes in the Southeast, it’s called gumbo.
Gumbo is South Louisiana’s most famous dish and it’s what the city prides itself in. Here’s where to get dat good dumbo in New Orleans.
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