TessMore Finance Blog

Did 2020 feel like an especially long year? (no, not because of that!) That’s because there were 262 work days – you worked 53 Wednesdays and 53 Thursdays! Ever wonder how many work days and work hours are in each year? Seems like a simple question, right? And if you don’t need to be precise – it’s is. In general, there are 52 weeks in each year and 40 hours per work day. This equates to: 260 Work Days in a Year 2080 Work Hours in a Year However, there are a lot of different exceptions to these general rules. Not every year has the same number of weekdays. Not every year has the same number of days (leap years). While the general rule of thumb is often good enough, there’s an easy way to calculate the exact number of work days and work hours each year: Table of Contents Standard Year – 52 Weeks, 2080 Hours How to Quickly Count Work Days Leap Year – 366 Days Work Days in Each Year Remember Holidays Standard Year – 52 Weeks, 2080 Hours If you work a corporate jo...

So you’ve bought yourself some nice sheets. Maybe even dropped $100 on that fancy queen set. Those nice sheets need to be washed. Here’s the rub: Sometimes, when you wash those nice sheets, you ruin those nice sheets, and have to buy new nice sheets. Repeat the pattern. Want to break the pattern? We spoke with the experts about how to properly wash, dry and store your bed sheets to protect your investment. Tips for How to Properly Wash Bed Linens Follow these strategies to ensure your bed sheets will last. Water Temperature for Washing Sheets Check the material of the sheets to ensure you’re using the proper heat setting, says Nora Mitchell, the editor-in-chief of Household Advice , a California digital publication that covers home repair, DIY projects and design. But even after following the directions, it’s tricky. The hotter the heat setting, the worse it is for the fabrics, as the heat breaks down the delicate fabrics. But you need heat to get rid of bacteria, dirt and stai...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . The holidays get expensive fast. Checking off everyone on your list can be daunting, especially when you consider the impact on your bank account. The average American plans to spend $837 on holiday gifts in 2021, according to Gallup . That’s not much more than people spent in 2020, and continues to be down from pre-pandemic norms. A lot of us are still hurting economically. But we’ve got an early holiday gift for you: a list of 100 free gift ideas. Ready to get started? Gifts are divided into categories, so you can easily scroll to find the type of gift you need. Or, read the whole list and find inspiration for a frugal, fun and FREE holiday season! Food and Drink If your kitchen isn’t well stocked, you’re going to have to buy ingredients like flour and sugar. But if you already have the supplies, you c...

Love Disney? This cool side gig lets you turn your passion into profit at the most magical place on Earth. Disney nannies help vacationing families navigate theme parks and babysit kids while their parents play. If you love theme parks and have prior child care experience, it’s a fun and unique way to pick up some extra cash. We’ll break down everything you need to know about this quirky side hustle, including job responsibilities and average pay rates. There’s a Surprisingly Huge Demand for Disney Nannies Disney nannies are an increasingly popular niche within child care. Trained babysitters can accompany families to theme parks to lend a helping hand. Or, if parents need a break, a nanny can come over and provide in-room care at a nearby hotel or resort. Some nannies will even take your kids to Disney World for you. It may seem like a strange service. After all, aren’t you supposed to spend time with your family on vacation? But according to two Disney nanny agencies we spok...

If you’re like most American adults, chances are high that you’ve heard of life insurance and know that it’s something you need. But what is it exactly, and how does life insurance work? Life insurance is a way for you to leave money to people you care about in the event of your death. At its basic level, it’s an agreement between you and a life insurance company. You agree to pay them and in turn, they provide you with insurance coverage. You can think of it like a subscription service: as long as you pay premiums, you’ll be covered. Covered for what? Well that really depends on you. Maybe you want to make sure your spouse will be able to pay the mortgage, no matter what happens to you. Maybe you want your kids to afford college. Or you might simply want to make sure your people will be ok paying day to day bills if you’re not around to provide for them. No matter your goal, the right kind of life insurance should be a simple and affordable way to reduce the risk of getting there....

Whether you use an app, an Excel spreadsheet or a pen and notebook, your budget isn’t something you just blindly copy over month after month. You should take a little time at the end of each month or the beginning of the next to reflect on your finances and determine whether you need to make any adjustments for the month ahead. Your spending isn’t necessarily the same month after month, so your budget shouldn’t be either. 8 Budgeting Questions to Reflect on Each Month Ask yourself these questions as you close out your budget each month to create the best spending plan for the month ahead. 1. How Did My Actual Spending Compare to My Projected Spending? This is the most obvious question you’ll want to ask yourself as you reflect on your spending from the past several weeks. Did your actual spending match up with the amount of money you intended to spend in each budget category? Where did you overspend? Where did you spend less than anticipated? 2. How Do I Want to Allocate Any S...

Remote work is a concept that has been popular ever since the technology to support it has been around. The percentage of workers that have done at least some of their jobs remotely has steadily increased over time.  Videoconferencing and collaboration tools have reached a state where it’s possible to do many jobs without going into an office. If you’re interested in working from home (or the beach!), here is information about remote work and remote jobs that you might be interested in. The rise of remote work The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has reported that approximately 51 million Americans reported using the Internet to work remotely in 2019. That was almost a third of the total number of Americans employed. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly caused that number to rise in 2020, as many employers shuttered their offices completely. As businesses and the economy begin to return to form, many workers are finding that they enjoy remote work and do n...

The holiday season is an expensive time of the year. You’re buying presents for loved ones, decorations for the house, extra groceries for big dinners and outfits for holiday parties. You’re giving special tips to service workers and spending money to travel to visit family. All the money leaving your bank account can cause a bunch of financial stress. It’s good to have some things to do during the holiday season that don’t add to that. 21 Free Things to Do During the Holiday Season These festive activities don’t cost a thing. 1. See the Light Displays Twinkling lights are a visual reminder that the holiday season is here. And like snowflakes, each light display has its own unique beauty. Take a stroll around your neighborhood, drive by other lit-up streets or check out the streetscapes and decorated storefronts downtown. 2. Attend a Local Festival The weather may be chilly but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time for a festival. Many cities host winter festivals to celebrate...