Eight savvy ways to upgrade your finances and lifestyle in 2024

(ARA) – People always look forward to a new year, whether it’s a chance to start over from a tough year, or an opportunity to build on something great that happened last year. Either way, upgrading from one year to the next is an important start. lifestyle lounge

Upgrading our finances is the place most people want to start, according to MarketWatch personal finance columnist and lifestyle expert Jeanette Pavini, but even more Americans are looking to upgrade their lives in some way. According to a new Harris Interactive poll, commissioned by the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, 93 percent of respondents want to upgrade their lives in 2024.

“It’s all about making small changes that don’t feel like you’re cutting back, and then adding a small indulgence to make you feel good,” says Pavini. “Whether you want to feel better about your relationships, your health, or your career, focus on small changes that can turn an average experience into a sensual, enjoyable, and satisfying one.”

Pavini offers some financial and lifestyle tips that can help you upgrade your 2024 and get the year off to a great start.

1. An easy way to start saving money is to stop going out for lunch every day. The average deli lunch is close to $9 per day, while making that same sandwich, lunch, and drink at home can cost less than $2. “Upgrade the experience by including a piece of premium chocolate,” Pavini suggests. “You’ll add a bit of glamour to your everyday life while saving a lot of money.” Follow this as often as you can, and you can save up to $1,800 per year—perfect to use to start saving for a relaxing vacation somewhere luxurious.

2. Look for easy ways to indulge. Our busy lives can often make it challenging to indulge in a nice meal or vacation, and according to a recent Harris Interactive survey, 63 percent of women and 54 percent of men say they would spend more on premium chocolate when they felt like indulging. Adding a premium chocolate bar to your bag lunch or after a nice dinner at home is one way to indulge without breaking the bank. Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk, the newest line of milk chocolate made for the connoisseur, is one way to do that with three new flavors: Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion (32 percent cacao milk chocolate), Gourmet Milk Sea Salt Escape, and Gourmet Milk Coconut Rendezvous.

3. Cook extra. Another way to save is to cook extra food at night when you make dinner and bring the leftovers for lunch—or keep them in the freezer when you’re in a pinch. Casseroles, soups, and chilies freeze well and keep their taste when reheated. Most cooked dishes will last for two to three months in the freezer. Cooking meals on your own ensures that you have the best ingredients and no hidden calories.

4. Indulge at home. A night on the town can be costly, but don’t let that discourage you from having a romantic date night. Turn your kitchen into a restaurant with a white tablecloth, good dishes, and candles.

5. Think long-term when it comes to saving money. For most homeowners, one extra mortgage payment a year can shave about eight years off their mortgage. It may not seem like a lot, but over the course of a lifetime, that can mean tens of thousands of dollars in savings.

6. Check the benefits of membership. Many museums sell family memberships for a discounted rate, which can sometimes include free or discounted admission to hundreds of other museums, aquariums, zoos, and science centers.

7. Nothing can add to romance like a relaxing massage. Check out local massage schools for deep discounts. Students who are about to graduate need to get their hours in, and you can benefit by getting a professional massage at a fraction of the cost.

8. If you love a high-end dining experience, eat out for lunch instead of dinner. Many of the same dishes are offered at half the price. And instead of paying for dessert and coffee, which can add another $25, have a Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk chocolate bar waiting at home or the office for a perfect finish to a meal.

Get smart on the hottest Hollywood races this season

(ARA) – Everyone loves great competition, and this year is packed full of anticipated races. Whether you are interested in celebrities vying for an Oscar, who wins Album of the Year at the Grammys, or the race to the top for the presidential nomination, a good rivalry just can’t be beat. According to a recent survey by Bing, while 21 percent of respondents are most interested in the road to the presidential conventions this winter, the hottest ticket this season is the big awards shows, with 68 percent of respondents equally or more invested in the Grammys or Oscars than the race to the political convention nominations. With so many interesting competitions taking place, how can you learn about and keep track of all the nominated films, songs, and people?

By spending a little time doing research, you can impress friends with your knowledge of all the key players in the most anticipated races this season.  Bing’s lifestyle expert, Karin Muskopf, shares her tips on how to get smart on your favorite nominated celebrity, movie, or album and make this year’s hottest races even more fun to watch:

Plan a few fun nights:

The best ways to learn about nominated movies and music can also be the most fun. Check out the lists of nominees and plan a few movie nights or listening parties with your friends to experience the hottest films and albums for yourself. Find movie times or concert listings near you with Bing Entertainment. Take note of your favorites, and be ready to pick the winners on the big night based on what you see, hear, and experience.

Research what’s already won and place your bets:

By the time the Academy Awards roll around, Hollywood has already hosted several other award shows, including the Critics’ Choice Awards, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Use Bing Entertainment to search nominees and see who’s already won; they could win again. Make the night even more exciting by hosting a party or organizing an office bracket to bet on winners.

Catch up on the latest gossip:

Hollywood’s hottest couples often use awards shows as a fun date night out on the town, while new couples take advantage of the red carpet to step out together for the first time. Unplanned run-ins and new or unexpected couplings are always hot on the Hollywood radar. Bing Entertainment’s Celebrity Connections feature lets you see who’s connected to who, what stars are newly coupled or single, or who might have the most outrageous red carpet arrival this season.

Get inspired by red-carpet glamour.

Awards show watchers know that celebrities bring their fashion “A” game when walking the red carpet and that’s one of the key reasons why we all tune in. Of all the red carpet looks to watch for, 53 percent of respondents believe Angelina Jolie will wow us this year and take home the “Best Dressed” title, with Emma Stone and Michelle Williams also in the running as potential fashion winners.  After the show, look to the best dressed stars for fashion inspiration and brighten up the dreary winter by making red carpet trends part of your wardrobe.

Substance over style:

There are many other exciting and important competitions to follow this year beyond the big awards shows. Make sure you keep up with the latest news on the political conventions and nominees, as well as the hottest buzz in the 2012 presidential race. Bing News surfaces up-to-the-minute news coverage, including videos from across the Web and the latest breaking stories, so you can be constantly informed and ready for any race that interests you this year.

Whatever race interests you the most, getting smart and researching in advance makes the experience all the more enjoyable. By spending a little time and making it fun, you can impress your friends with your knowledge of red carpet fashion trends, pick the most likely winner for Best Picture, or provide the office with gossip about why your favorite leading man is arriving on the red carpet solo.