#5: How to Make More Inclusive Financial Decisions Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Whether you’re a person of color or not, there are things we can all do to lift up and support those who need it more than others. First, it’s important to understand the severity of racial inequality and its financial impact. According to an Inequality.org report, “Black and Latinx families are twice as likely to have zero or negative wealth—meaning their debt is higher than the value of their assets—compared to white families.” According to McKinsey & Company, on average, big banks approve around 60% of loans applied for by white small-business owners, 50% by Latinx small-business owners, and 29% by Black small-business owners. Whether it’s the working class or business owners, people of color stand at a disadvantage. Here’s how you can make more inclusive financial decisions to help make a difference to those who need it most: Financially support BIPOC-owned businesses. Follow financial influencers who are people of color. Pay attention to what they say, share their information and refer to friends. Donate to organizations that work to improve racial inequality (Color of Change, Ms. Foundation for Women, Unsilence). Before you spend, ask if you can purchase from a small BIPOC-owned business. Give gifts that come from BIPOC businesses. Read or listen to biographies about people of color. Don’t be afraid to ask how you can help or support. Here’s a glance at this episode: [01:20] Why I identify as a person of color and how I vow to keep the hard conversations going, so true change can take place. My door is always open. [02:00] Racism is alive. Statistics to help everyone understand the racial inequality that exists in our society today. [03:50] I share a handful of ways that people of color and non-people of color can make more inclusive financial decisions to help drive equality. [07:34] Organizations I’ve found that help drive change. These organizations are near and dear to my heart and a great place to start when finding organizations to donate to. Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple P … #5: How to Make More Inclusive Financial DecisionsRead More »

7 Luxury and Affordable Skincare Brands to Try Let’s talk about skincare! As boss ladies, we have to not only manage our finances, but we need to manage how we take care of ourselves, internally AND externally. Luxury and affordable skincare brands are out there!As someone who is in their *coughs* 30s, I have learned the hard way what happens when I’m not taking care of my skin as I age and mature.Unfortunately, we have often been told by beauty gurus and marketers that “the best skincare products must have luxurious price points to be effective”.THAT. IS. NOT. TRUE.Luxury and affordable skincare brandsAs a self-proclaimed beauty product junkie, please enjoy the below list of luxurious, yet affordable skincare brands that will not break the budget:The OrdinaryThis should be the first brand on a lot of people’s list of affordable, effective skincare brands. With an average price point of ~$15, The Ordinary is the go-to for affordable skincare needs.From their serums and chemical exfoliators, to their best-selling AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (that’s only $8), The Ordinary has enough skincare products for you to build your own skincare regime for under $100!We love to see it!The Inkey ListA brand that’s similar to, but not as popular as The Ordinary, The Inkey List has been making a splash in the skincare game for a couple of years now.The brand has a multitude of affordable products and anti-aging serums.Their retinol serum (my favorite) is priced at only $9.99 (and my favorite)! You cannot find prices lower than that.CeraVeIf you follow any skincare guru, CeraVe should not be a foreign brand for you, as it’s a very popular drugstore skincare brand.CeraVe is simple, yet does exactly what it says it’s going to do. Plus, CeraVe’s products are budget-friendly.The brand offers a plethora of cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens (a must) specifically formulated for various skin types.InnisfreeAn affordable skincare list would not be complete without some Korean skincare brands.Korea is known for its beauty products, with their skincare technology finally making its splash over to the Western world!Innisfree is one of the most popular Korean skincare companies (and you can find an Innisfree store on every block in the Myeongdong district in Seoul, South Korea) (affiliate link).COSRXAnother skincare gem from South Korea, COSRX has just started to gain popularity on this side of the globe after skincare gurus started singing its praises.One of my personal favorite Korean skincare brands, its most popular item may be their Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. This type of essence is the heart of the Korean 10-step regime.Think of essence like a primer for your skincare routine, like the same as a primer for your makeup.It makes the ingredients in your existing skincare steps that much more effective, and provides a ton of moisture deep within the skin.OlayOf course, we have to take it back to our mothers’ and grandmothers’ favorite skincare brand.Olay is often the first drugstore brand that a lot of people use as teenagers (unless you were a Noxzema user).In addition, unlike most brands on this list, Olay has body care products as well. With the introduction of their Regenerist line, Olay began focusing on hydration and prevention of fine lines and wrinkles.PixiIf you’re a frequent shopper at Target or CVS, you’ve seen Pixi products before.Again, unlike most of the brands mentioned, not only is Pixi known as a great skincare brand, but they are also known for their makeup and body care products.It’s their superstar Glow Tonic line that has them on lots of beauty editors’ top skincare products lists.You do not need to break the bank to have the best skincare regime! Beauty is skin deep, but it should not be pockets deep (smile).Related: 6 Essential Oils to Add to Your Skincare RoutineHave you tried these products listed above? Let us know your favorite affordable s … 7 Luxury and Affordable Skincare Brands to TryRead More »

5 Effective Financial Goals for the New Year There’s no denying the power of setting financial goals…any goals, for that matter. Goals keep us motivated. Goals give us something to work towards. Goals help us measure our success towards the things that matter most. Most people, myself included, set goals at the beginning of the year. There’s nothing like a fresh start! If you’ve never set financial goals before, I want this to be the year you give it a try. In case you’re not sure what goals to set, I’m sharing 5 effective financial goals for the new year, or any time, that you can set and work towards. Let this be your starting point to a prosperous financial year! 5 Effective Goals for the New Year #1 Get your retirement plan in place Review what you have. Roll over old plans. Assess your contributions. Open an IRA. That’s the short and sweet version, but let me dive a little deeper! What retirement plans do you currently have in place? Whether you’re contributing to them or not, you should know where your money is. If you don’t know, let’s start there. Capitalize is a company that can help you track down old retirement plans and roll them over into your new or current one. Rolling over old retirement plans is critical to maxing out your earning potential. Not sure where to start? Reach out to Capitalize. They help customers roll over old plans at no cost to the customer. Once you have all of your retirement money in one place, assess your contribution rate. Can you up your retirement percentage? At minimum, you should be contributing what your employer will match. However, if you can afford to contribute more, make it a goal to do so. You can also open an IRA and contribute more that way! #2 Finally give investing a try Open a brokerage account. Add stocks to your watchlist. Transfer $10/month. Read charts. Diving deeper again, an effective financial goal to set is to get started with investing. If you’re saving for retirement, you’re already an investor. Doesn’t that feel good? Take it up a notch and open a brokerage account. There’s no upfront cost to do so. This will allow you to get used to the platform. Once you’re comfortable with the brokerage account and platform, start adding stocks to your “watchlist.” Most platforms allow users to have lists of stocks they want to watch. This allows you to keep an eye on stocks and see how they perform over time. When you’re ready to invest, start small. $10/month is not a lot to ask for, but it does allow you to get started! Invest in a stock or 2 from your watchlist and watch what happens! Read the charts of each stock, so you can get accustomed to what you’re looking at. #3 Track your spending Never tracked your spending? Try it for 1 month straight. Tracked before? Take a deep dive into your results. Tracking your spending is one of the best ways to figure out if your budget is actually working. When you track your spending, you’re able to see exactly what’s happening with your money. You can use this information to course correct before things get worse. You can also use it to help you see if you can reach your goals faster. If you already track your spending, start analyzing what the information is telling you. Do you constantly overspend in a particular category? How can you fix this? Maybe you need more allocated to the category. Take time to dive deep into your results and use the findings to help you pave a path forward. #4 Get a savings account portfolio in placeGet organized with all your savings and investing accounts – create a single resource/spreadsheet to track locations and balances. Financial organization is important for plenty of reasons. First, it allows you to have a quick pulse on all of your assets, including their worth and where they are located. Second, it gives you the ability to focus on building wealth, instead of wondering what your current wealth situation looks like. Create a spreadsheet, document or listing of all your asset accounts. Asset accounts include checking accounts, savings accounts, retirement accounts, investment accounts and any other assets (529, annuities, pensions, etc.). In your document, at minimum you’ll want to track the location of the account, and the balance. You can take the document a few steps further by documenting interest rates, rates of return, transfer amounts and the goal for each account. This will take some time, but you’ll feel so accomplished when it’s done – such an effective financial goal! #5 Start working with a coach or advisor Need to manage your money or budget? Work with a coach. Ready to build wealth? Work with an advisor. Want to make the best move for your money situation? Work with a coach or advisor! Depending on where you are in your finances depends on which you should work with. If you struggle with money management, budgeting and spending control, start with a coach. A financial coach, like me, can help you take control of your day-to-day financial activity. Once you have a handle on your money and you’re ready to build wealth through investing, you can start working with a financial advisor. They can be found at a variety of financial institutions and can help you manage your investments to help you get the best rate of return. I’m not saying you can’t do either on your own but having the help of others will take your efforts up a few notches. We’re all about working smarter, not harder…right?! Related: 5 Money Goals to Set for the New Year As you can see, there are layers to each of the goals listed above. Assess where you are with each goal and take the proper next steps to level up. What goals do you plan to work on? Which of the financial goals listed above scares you? Post a comment below to share … 5 Effective Financial Goals for the New YearRead More »

#4: Why Mindset is Critical and How to Start Improving It The way you think about things determines how you feel and react to those things.Those reactions, whether they’re good or bad, determine your outcome and results.Most of the population isn’t aware of how they think, so if that’s you, we’re changing it as of right now!According to the dictionary, mindset is the established set of attitudes held by someone. Basically, their philosophy on life or any particular situation.Where mindset is critical is what follows as a result of those thoughts/attitudes/beliefs, because how you think about something determines how you feel about that thing and how you feel determines how you act in relation to that thing.Negative thoughts lead to negative feelings and negative actions. Negative actions lead to negative results.Positive thoughts lead to positive feelings and positive actions. Positive actions lead to positive results.To start changing your mindset, it all starts with awareness.Start recognizing your thoughts by asking yourself “what am I thinking?”After you have the awareness step down, you can start changing your thoughts.Counter any negative thoughts with a positive thought.For example:Negative thought: “I don’t make enough money. If I just made more money, things would be easier.”Counter positive thought: “I’m grateful for what I do make because it allows me to cover my priorities.”Other things to help change your mindset:Read The Power of NowStart journaling – write down what you’re thinking and how it makes you feelPractice gratitude – shift focus to what is going write; write down 5 things you’re grateful for each dayUse affirmations – physically write or speak out loud daily affirmations.Work with a coach or therapistListen to the Life Coach School podcastAlways ask yourself “what am I thinking?” Or, if you’re feeling happy/sad/any emotion, ask yourself what is making you feel that wayBe gracious with yourself because this isn’t easy work to do!Here’s a glance at this episode:[01:22] Getting clear on what mindset means. Understanding what mindset means allows you to recognize your feelings, actions and results, as they pertain to how you think.[04:20] If you’re not aware of your mindset and how you think, you could be doing things that don’t help you reach your goals or your dream life.[09:33] How to start changing your mindset and thoughts with an activity that helps you counter negative thinking.[11:52] Tools, resources and recommendations on things that helped me change my mindset and become a more self-aware individual.Click here to listen!Rate, Review, … #4: Why Mindset is Critical and How to Start Improving ItRead More »

#3: Breaking Through the Stigma of Budgeting There’s no denying it – there’s a stigma around budgeting.In fact, the negative association surrounding budgeting is so prevalent that another money coach I’m acquainted with doesn’t even use the word “budget” in her vocabulary with clients.You know it’s bad when we can’t even say the word BUDGET!I’m here to break through the stigma of budgeting.I turned my life around completely thanks to budgeting, and I’m on a mission to help as many other people does the same as I possibly can.Here’s the thing though…we must break through our budgeting barriers!To start, it takes some awareness:When you hear the word “budget”, what do you instantly think of?Then, peel back the layers. Why do you think that? What does it make you feel like?If your answers are negative, then it’s no wonder why you see budgeting as a bad thing.Take a step back and let’s look at budgeting from a purely logical standpoint.Budgeting is the act of creating and sticking to a budget.A budget is simply a tool that tells you what money is coming in, what money is going out, and what money is left over (if any).That’s all folks.When you see budgeting from that standpoint, you start to realize that it’s not a bad thing.Where the negative thoughts and feelings come in is when the budget tells you that you can’t afford to do everything you want to do.This could be because you don’t make enough money, you’re spending on too many things, or your focused on too many goals at once.That’s not the budgets fault though. The budget just brings it to light.Once you recognize that fact, you can start reframing your thoughts around budgeting.When you start leaning into budgeting, instead of resisting it, that’s when great things happen!Here are a few steps to get a simple budget created:List out your monthly incomeList out your monthly expensesSubtract your total expenses from your total incomeAssess that number:Positive? What goals can you work towards?Negative? What spending areas can be reduced? Or, how can you make more money?You can download my free Monthly Budget Overview Tracker to get your numbers into a good format for brainstorming!Here’s a glance at this episode:[01:30] Why I think the stigma around budgeting is real and some examples to prove that it truly does exist.[03:35] How to take a logical approach when thinking about budgeting – this is the first step to breaking through the stigma that comes with budgeting.[06:20] I walk through how to complete an exercise to pinpoint what about budgeting is creating the negativity and anxiety for you.[08:54] Ideas to help you reframe your thought pattern when it comes to budgeting.[13:43] How to create your own simple, logical budget – steps you need to create a simple budget, so you know how to move forward.Click here to listen!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts“I l … #3: Breaking Through the Stigma of BudgetingRead More »

#2: How Planning Changed Her Life “There is a direct correlation between how financially organized you are and how financially well off you are.”Alaina Fingal is an accountant, certified financial coach, author, content creator and founder of The Organized Money.Her YouTube channel “The Organized Money” has amassed over 68,000 subscribers and 4 million views.Alaina has made it her mission to help people how to plan a life that they love through their routines, get financially organized, and make money while they sleep.Alaina shares her story on how she began her planning journey! She also shares how planning your life and your money go hand in hand.Along the way, Alaina breaks down the concept of “glass balls” and “rubber balls” to identify the things that matter most to you.She also goes into detail about leveraging a “hybrid” approach to planning – using both digital and physical resources to get the most of your planning efforts.Alaina is giving CGS Podcast listeners the chance to join The Organized U at a discount! This special lasts through January 31, 2022.Here’s a glance at this episode:[01:38] Alaina breaks down the exact moment when she knew planning was a necessity for her and how The Organized Money came to be.[08:55] Learn the best tips for getting started with planning when you have no idea where to start.[15:32] We’re all juggling different things but look at your life’s areas as “balls” to help you focus on what’s most important.[27:26] How to make using a physical planner more consistent or opting to go digital for your planning needs, and the pros and cons of each. Leverage a “hybrid” approach to get the best of both worlds.[39:00] The importance of planning summed up in one sentence.Click here to listen!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts“I love Raya and City Girl … #2: How Planning Changed Her LifeRead More »

#1: Big City Spender to City Girl Saver Like most people, I didn’t learn about money and finance until I experienced it for myself.It’s not like they teach this stuff in school!You may or may not know this, but I’ve been running City Girl Savings since 2015.That’s a LONG time…but before that, I was taking a completely different path with my money.I was born and raised in Austin, Texas but knew it was too small for me (at that time, at least, it’s grown so much lately)!When I was 13, I had it in my mind that I’d be moving to Los Angeles when I was done with high school.My ticket to getting there? College.Like most people, my parents didn’t teach me about money.Sure, there were little anecdotes here and there…”Save your money.””Work hard and you’ll earn more.”But there was never any formal discussions around budgeting or money management.I’d worked in high school and saved up a nice chunk of change before college.Sure enough, I got into a school in LA and left when I was 18 years old – didn’t know anyone, but I didn’t need to. I was where I wanted to be.All of my savings was wiped away in my first few months of college.On top of that? I signed up for my first student credit card and maxed it out in no time.I started working during my second year of college, so I was able to pay my credit card bill and continue indulging my desires to spend.Over time, I added more credit cards to my collection (Target, Victoria’s Secret, and other store cards I didn’t need).By my third and fourth years of college, I was out of control with my spending.I vividly remember getting my tax refund and heading straight to the mall to buy more clothes, shoes, and accessories.I purchased so much that day that I had accidently thrown out a bag without taking the $80 dress out first. When I graduated college in 2010 (with a degree in Finance, though you wouldn’t know it), I got my own apartment (using graduation gift money) and got my first corporate job.It took 1 1/2 paychecks to cover rent and bills, then I would spend the rest.Interest was constantly racking up…I would have no money in between paychecks…Yet, I would still find a way to go out to eat.It wasn’t until I faced eviction that I finally turned things around.Slowly and steadily, because I didn’t have enough to go hard.I asked myself what was more important: staying in L.A. or continuing to live this “fake” lifestyle that didn’t leave me with anything to show for it.I started creating simple budgets for each pay period (I had always done this with what little money I had in the past).Anything left over after bills were paid went to paying down debt.After about a year and a half of grinding, making more and seeing progress, my dad was unexpectedly killed by a drunk driver.In August 2013, I moved back to Austin to be closer to my mom and brother.I never thought I’d be back in Austin, but hindsight is 20/20. It was the best thing that could’ve happened to me, and it took the worst thing for it to happen.I was able to keep my job and work from home, so the money kept coming in, but I no longer had nearly as much expenses.I was able to expedite the progress I had started back in L.A. and pay off thousands of dollars in credit card debt, aggressively save and use cash for my purchases.After my financial (and personal) life took that 360, I realized that if someone like me…Who enjoys nice things…Who loves to travel…Who would go out to eat everyday if she could…Could turn my life around with budgeting, and still feel like I can enjoy myself in moderation, I could help other women do the same.So, I put all of my knowledge and experience into processes and systems…and here we are today!That’s EXACTLY how City Girl Savings came to be.Here’s a glance at this episode:[02:00] I didn’t start out as a savvy budget coach! I was terrible with money in my early adult years.[07:11] The driving force behind leaving Austin to pursue life in Los Angeles, and how that transition was made possible.[19:23] My financial rock bottom – the turning point in my financial life and what happened to finally help me get my act together.Click here to listen!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts“I love Raya and City … #1: Big City Spender to City Girl SaverRead More »

2021 Recap + Dec Money Review Whe … 2021 Recap + Dec Money ReviewRead More »

CGS 2021 Year End Goals Recap T … CGS 2021 Year End Goals RecapRead More »

5 Ways to Close Out Your Finances for the Year Another year has come and gone. It always amazes me how time seems to fly by, especially the older we get. One thing that I always love to do at the end of a year is reflect. Reflect on my goals. Reflect on my accomplishments. Reflect on my opportunities. This gives me an opportunity to close out the current year and prepare for the next one! If you’ve never taken the time to close out your finances for the year, I challenge to make this the year you start! As we get closer to the new year, there’s no better time to wrap up the old and move forward with the new! Check out 5 ways to close out your finances for the year and get ready for even more success! 5 Ways to Close Out Your Finances for the Year #1 Review your monthly budgets from the start of the year until now As you know, you should be tracking your budget and spending monthly (at minimum). Not only does this keep you on track throughout the month, but the information can be leveraged to help you close out your finances for the year. Look at the monthly budgets you created over the course of the year. Ask yourself a few questions: “Did everything go according to plan?” “What budget changes have happened over time?” “How can I make my budget more effective in the new year?” The goal here is to identify any areas of opportunity and improvement. When you can see what did and didn’t work, you know what to focus on moving forward. #2 Complete any year end tasks that are still pending When it comes to finances, there are some tasks that need to be done to close out the previous year. Let’s start with tax benefits! If you’re contributing to an IRA, you want to make sure you’ve hit the full contribution limit for the year within a specific timeframe. As of the writing of this article, that timeframe is by the 31st of March of the next year. Another March 31st deadline item is using the funds in your FSA. Thankfully, your HSA is for life, so no rush there. If you’re not familiar with these terms, check out the article Health Benefits Basics. Other year end tasks that may require your attention include any savings account transfers, 401k changes or new account openings. The goal is to make sure you’re fully prepped and ready for the new year. #3 Jot down your financial goal progress from the year What goals did you set during the current year? Ideally you already have them written down somewhere, along with measurements for tracking the progress made towards them. Make note of any goals that you accomplished during the year (and give yourself a pat on the back)! If you didn’t hit specific goals, get clear on why and what you need to do to course correct. If the goal still applies, decide if that will be a priority focus for the new year. I don’t want you to feel like you have goals lingering as we move into the new year. When you’re focusing on the same goal for the next year, we’ll start fresh! #4 Reflect on your money wins, opportunities, and epiphaniesGive yourself 15 minutes to sit and brainstorm your year financially. What wins did you have with your money? Big or small! What opportunities did you not take advantage of that you plan to next year? What epiphanies did you have about how you handle money? Extra points if you can write your answers down in a journal or notebook. Once you’ve completed your reflection and got your thoughts written down, re-read them! What can you learn from everything that happened over the past year? We always want to be learning and growing, and reflection can assist with that! #5 Make one final money move to help you start the year off on the right foot After everything is said and done, what’s one more thing you can do to end the year on a high note and start the next year on the right foot? Here are some ideas: Make a transfer to savings (even if it’s $5) Open an IRA, or other new account Write down your money goals Read a personal finance article, blog, or book Start investing, even if it’s on a small scale Related: How to Complete Your Year End Money Review Closing out your finances for the current year puts you in a position of power for the new year. You feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and motivated to reach your money goals! How do you close out your finances for the year? Do you have any routines? Post a comment below to share the tips and tricks … 5 Ways to Close Out Your Finances for the YearRead More »

City Girl Savings Goals for 2022 Welp, another year has come and gone! As tradition continues, I like to share the goals City Girl Savings will be working towards in the upcoming year. I’ve written this article every year for the past 5+ years, and whether I hit the goals or not, progress is always made! Keep reading to learn about the primary focus of City Girl Savings for 2022. This article shares what we are working on for the new year. Also, check out how far we’ve come by reading our goals from 2021 (and past years too!) City Girl Savings Goals for 2022 Goal #1: Our goal is to have 35,000 of a secret metric (you’ll find out what it is on January 3, 2022)! But, feel free to guess! Goal #2: Our goal is to have 4,500 Facebook Group members. Goal #3: Our goal is to complete 250 consultations. Goal #4: Our goal is to have 10,000 newsletter subscribers. Goal #5: Our goal is to work with more brands and businesses to have a greater reach and impact. Goal #6: Our goal is to increase sales by 125% (this is a big form of growth)! We’re focusing on less goals this year, but really putting the effort into achieving them. You may notice that some of our goals are the same as last year’s because we’re likely not going to hit them this year…and, that’s okay! The goal is to keep pushing. We are on a mission to help as many women (or people in general) as possible reach financial success. To do that, we have to set BIG goals! What are some of your biggest goals for 2022? Stay tuned to see our final goal numbers for 2021! The C … City Girl Savings Goals for 2022Read More »

5 Low-Cost Supplies to Keep Your Home Clean It’s safe to say that cleaning has been closer to the top of everyone’s to do list than ever before.Not only that, but we’re starting to think our grandmas had the right idea when they used common household products to clean!Many effective cleaning products can be created with things you already have in your pantry or fridge, while lots of the common cleaning products we buy are made with harmful, abrasive chemicals.Whether you’re starting an annual deep clean or want to restock cleaning products, check out these 5 low-cost supplies to keep your home clean.#1 BleachBleach is a powerful tool for cleaning your home, but it’s especially important in the bathroom. You must still be careful with bleach, which does have harmful chemicals in it if used incorrectly.However, bleach is a powerhouse that will make your bathroom sparkle and kill mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses. Bleach disinfects, brightens, and whites (so be careful to only use it on surfaces that it won’t discolor!), and it also helps remove odors.Check for splash-less options with the Clorox products. There should be a special cap that helps control the pour so you can avoid spills and remove even more stains.Clorox Clean Up also removes stains and kills germs! Bleach costs anywhere from $2.99 to $6, depending on the store.#2 Baking sodaBaking soda isn’t just useful for cooking! It also helps neutralize odors and is great for cleaning.Using baking soda as a household cleaner can help you remove stains, eliminate odors, and clean tough items like the oven, microwave, and grout. Baking soda will also freshen up a stinky fridge by neutralizing the odors.Lastly, baking soda is an excellent, safe alternative to commercial air fresheners. It actually neutralizes the particles that create odors, rather than masking them.#3 White or Apple Cider VinegarApple cider vinegar is a brown, often murky liquid that contains 5-6% acetic acid. It’s made by crushing apples, extracting the liquid, and then fermenting.Apple cider vinegar is an ideal household cleaner because it has antibacterial properties. Mix up equal parts apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar) and water in an empty spray bottle.You might need to use a little extra elbow grease on built-up dirt, but your home will be free of the toxins that come with commercial cleaners.#4 Hydrogen PeroxideThe Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that hydrogen peroxide kills years, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and mold spores, depending on its concentration. Diluted hydrogen peroxide products with about 3% hydrogen peroxide are the best for household use, as higher concentrations can be hazardous.Hydrogen peroxide is also included on the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of antimicrobials active for use against the COVID-19 virus.You can use hydrogen peroxide to remove mold and mildew stains from dishwashers, and to disinfect countertops and cutting boards.#5 Essential oilsEssential oils have a number of health benefits—including some of the best smells for cleaning!The most common use for essential oils is inhaling them from the bottle or using a diffuser or humidifier, but you can also dilute essential oils in a carrier oil and put them on your skin.Essential oil is also a great part of an all-purpose household cleaner. In an empty spray bottle, combine ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 ¾ cups water, and 30 drops of essential oils.You could use all one scent, or try a combination of scents like lavender and lemon; eucalyptus, peppermint, and wild orange; grapefruit and lavender; or some other combination!The best essential oils for disinfecting include cinnamon, clove, lemon, orange, and rosemary.Related: 7 Tips for Organizing Your ClothesKeeping your home clean can be annoying but it definitely gives you peace of mind. Doing a deep clean once a month will help keep your home fresh and virus free.What cleaning supplies are your go-to choices? Have you tried cleaning your home with any products we listed?Like and follow us on our IG page @citygirlsavings and  drop a comment on our City Girl Savings Facebook page. We always enjoy hearing from members o … 5 Low-Cost Supplies to Keep Your Home CleanRead More »

6 Tips to Prep Your Pantry for the New Year As the new year approaches, new changes are likely too! And that might include some changes to how you set up and organize your kitchen.I don’t know about you, but there’s something relaxing about starting the new year off with a fresh, clean, organized space—it makes me feel like I can stick to my no takeout resolution! Check out these six tips to prep your pantry for the new year.#1 Toss Out the OldMany of us hold on to food long after its expiration date, usually because it’s hidden away in a cupboard or pantry closet and we’ve forgotten about it.One tip for prepping your pantry for a new year is to clean it out! Focus on getting rid of expired items and food you will no longer enjoy eating.Throwing away expired food is an easy way to declutter a pantry space and make room for new, non-expired items—just make sure you’ll actually use them!Pull all items from the pantry (or even a single shelf) and go through them to determine what needs to be tossed and what can be kept. Once you’ve determined what you aren’t going to keep, you can throw away anything expired and donate any canned food you won’t eat.#2 Disinfect the PantryThe best time to disinfect the pantry is when you’ve already got everything pulled out of it! You can disinfect both the shelves and the items that will be going back in.Using your preferred cleaning supplies, wipe down the shelves. You’ll be surprised at what you might find—sometimes things leak or leave bad smells that make the pantry less appetizing. A quick wipe will provide a fresher smell.You can also wipe your shelves with a lime solution, since insects and other critters don’t like it. This is a great way to keep the pantry bug-free!#3 Take Inventory of Pantry ItemsLooking ahead to the new year will make your pantry prepping even more successful. Taking inventory can help you plan without feeling overwhelmed.Take notes or pictures of items you already have in your pantry so you don’t accidentally buy more the next time you’re at the store, wasting space and money.You can also make a note of anything that’s half-full so you know to finish it first! That way, when the new year rolls around, you can start off with fresh new items.#4 Use Pantry Space WiselyDon’t keep anything you know you aren’t going to eat—it’s a waste of space and food! If you bought those pickled beets with the best of intentions but secretly know you’ll never eat them, donate them, give them to someone who will eat them, or get rid of them.It’s important to use your pantry space wisely! Trim down to what you know you’ll use, and then organize the remaining items in a way that makes sense for you and any family members or roommates.For example, keep taller, less frequently used items at the back and on higher shelves. Shorter, more frequently used items should be front and center—easy to see and grab when it’s time to cook.Some pantries have adjustable shelves. You can try changing the height of the shelves or even getting rid of a shelf or two!#5 Get Clear Storage ContainersClear storage containers are a must-have for any fresh pantry. You’ll be able to scan everything at a glance and know when it’s time to restock on staple items like pasta, cereal, flour, and rice.Clear storage containers also help pull the pantry together visually. You can find matching lids or opt for containers with different colored lids for different types of food!The Container Store has a wealth of options, but you can find clear storage containers at any major supermarket.#6 Organize Like ItemsHave you ever noticed that people on TV seem to have perfectly organized pantries? You can achieve that look too! Simply group canned items with canned items, and storage containers with storage containers.This not only helps you quickly identify items, it also helps keep your shelf space organized and aesthetically pleasing.Instead of just tossing everything in containers, be mindful of what you want to use containers for and how much space you have. Keep smaller items like spice jars and seasonings in another cupboard so they don’t create clutter.Related: 5 Ways to Get Your Closet Ready for the New YearSome of us may not feel like reorganizing the pantry for the new year, and that’s okay too! But for those of us who prefer an organized pantry, we hope these tips help.What are some of your favorite tips and tricks for staying organized?We love hearing from the community! Stay looped in with all the best financial hacks and advice on your social handles @city … 6 Tips to Prep Your Pantry for the New YearRead More »