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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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With the temperatures in Louisiana super-hot, hurricane season has been a nonevent for Louisiana — so far. The last few months of the season always pose the most risk for the Atlantic Ocean.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about this year’s hurricane season as well as how you can protect yourself from storms.
When Is Hurricane Season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 each year. During that time, warm weather creates tropical or subtropical storms in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The months when hurricanes are most likely to form — what weather experts call “peak season” — is between late August through September. That’s when you get sea surface temperatures conducive to the formation of cyclones. The historic Hurricane Katrina crashed through New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005.
Will The 2023 Hurricane Season Be An Active One?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season has a 40% chance of being close to normal. It also has a 30% chance of being above-normal and below-normal.
The NOAA outlook on how many storms will actually form is constantly revised, but as of now the agency is predicting 12 to 17 named storms.
What Are The 2023 Named Storms So Far?
Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harold
Idalia hit Florida on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.Jose
Katia
Lee
Margot
Nigel
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
WhitneyHow To Stay Safe
- Stay inside your home and away from windows and glass doors.
- Close all interior doors and brace all external doors.
- Take shelter in a small interior room like a closet or hallway in the basement or lower level of your home.
- If flooding occurs, get out of the basement or lowest level of your home and take refuge on higher ground.
Stay Up To Date
New Orleans features a robust communications system that keeps residents abreast of the major storms. To stay in the know, all you have to do is sign up for the city’s emergency text messaging system.
To do so, text NOLAREADY to 77295. For Spanish notifications, text ESP to 77295.
For the latest, stay with Nolafi.com for New Orleans-area news.
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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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Saving time is akin to saving money in these days and times, and there’s no better way to do that than when you’re trying to purchase airfare. Going to New Orleans? Here’s when to go.
This article will tell you the cheapest time to visit New Orleans. With prices rising across the board, we know that you’ll appreciate some money tips to keep more of what you’ve earned.
Flying? Timing Is Everything
The date and time you fly has a lot to do in securing a cheap ticket for airfare and to maximize your travel savings. Booking is only part of the process. The time that you choose to fly also plays a role in how pricey your ticket is. We’ll get into this a bit more.
As you might imagine, New Orleans has a lot of visitors during certain times of the year. The hotel industry knows this, so they will raise prices appropriately when high season comes.
When Is The Busy Season In New Orleans?
For travel purposes, the busy season in New Orleans is considered spring time, specifically March through May. That’s the beginning of the Mardi Gras season, which kicks off festival season and festivities on Bourbon Street each night.
There are quite a few events in the city that will bring millions of visitors to local bars, hotels and restaurants.
The airline industry will typically have their higher fares around this time to catch the masses who come to New Orleans annually.
When Is The Cheapest Time To Visit New Orleans?
If you want to save money, the best and cheapest time to visit is in August, right before school starts. This is the period when the major festivals (I say “major” because the city has festivals pretty much year-round) are wrapping up and football season is about to begin.
You should also be able to find the cheapest fares around the late summer-early fall time in and out of New Orleans.
Now it’s time to talk about the best time to book a flight at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. Here’s when you should fly:
Travel In The Morning
Booking a flight early in the morning can be the difference between making your flight with time to spare and possibly getting stuck in the airport due to a missed departure.
The best time to fly out of Hartsfield — or any airport — is early in the day. The sooner noontime comes, the more people will be in the airport and the more full the flights are going to be.
Travel On Tuesday, Wednesday And Saturday
If you’ve tried to book a flight lately, you know that if you try to leave on a Friday and return on a Sunday, you’re going to pay an arm and a leg.
The best days to fly are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, according to Skyscanner.com.
When You Go
When you travel to New Orleans, make sure you get an affordable hotel. Get a good night’s sleep so you can rise on the next day. Check out the many things to see and do, including some of the best restaurants around the city.
Final Word
The old saying “time is money” has never been as true as it is today when it comes to figuring out the best time to catch a flight. You can save money on travel if you account for time.
Timing plays a huge role in your ability to get a cheap flight in New Orleans. The city is a major transit point for the Caribbean and other destinations around the United States.
If you’re thinking about flying to New Orleans, timing is everything.
Traveling to New Orleans is a trip that is well worth it. Not only will you enjoy the thrill of the charming people, and food, but there’s a lot of history to appreciate.
When you find out the perfect time to buy airfare, you’re going to be able to save time and money, which are both great things when you think about it.
Here’s how to save money the next time you travel.
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Just a day after announcing the suspension of its star running back, the New Orleans Saints are looking to bolster its backfield by adding another dynamic playmaker.
Former Kansas City and Cleveland halfback Kareem Hunt is being courted signed with New Orleans, the team disclosed this week. The issue is that Hunt is a high-profile free agent garnering interest from other squads.
Will The Saints Sign Hunt?
According to some reports, Hunt didn’t complete a workout for the Saints and opted to take a call from the Indianapolis Colts instead.
Hunt’s signing is especially important for New Orleans after the NFL suspended Saints RB Alvin Kamara. The star back pleaded not guilty to battery charges related to a February 2022 incident and won’t face any jail time.
He apologized during a recent news conference for his actions, saying that he was “completely wrong” for joining in on the melee, in which a man was beaten and injured.
“It’s a tough ordeal to be in,” Kamara said after Saints practice Friday. “You know, I never want to be involved in something where someone gets hurt or severely injured or anything. Poor judgment on my end, definitely a bad decision, but I’m a man. Everything I’ve ever done in my life, I’ve stood on. And I can take accountability for it and I can say when I’m wrong and I was completely wrong.”
Final Word
The Saints are looking to compete in the NFC South by having a stacked offense and an old, but adequate defense. We’ll see how it equates to wins and losses.
New Orleans is not only a world-class city, but a cultural centerpiece of the Southeast, from restaurants to its parks, the city stands out as a place to visit and live.
Looking for something to do in the city? What To See And Do In New Orleans
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The 2023 Essence Festival of Culture is once again happening in New Orleans this summer. The annual event is typically held around the Fourth of July weekend, so you can expect a lot of fireworks, if you know what I mean.
Read our review of the 2023 Essence Fest.
Attendees can find festival information, sign up for updates, and purchase weekend packages or single-day tickets at Essencefestival.com. You can also experience the festival virtually on Essence.com.
Essence Fest: What To Know This Year
The 2023 Essence Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola will present three days of parties, panels, concerts and more all based around and at the New Orleans’ Caesar’s Superdome.
The event will wrap its evening concert series with a night-by-night line-up of musicians, performers, and Hip-Hop and R&B legends.
This year’s festival marks our first-ever, all-Black women in Hip-Hop headliner line-up of Ms. Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott and Megan Thee Stallion, which has been previously announced. Here’s what to expect each day of Essence Fest in New Orleans:
Friday, June 30
Ms. Lauryn Hill will headline and take music-lovers back 25 years, when the iconic 5x Grammy-winning The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album dropped, with a very special performance to celebrate its milestone anniversary.
Attendees can also expect to see highly anticipated performances from some of the pioneers of Hip-Hop curated by Doug E. Fresh including Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, KRS-One and Slick Rick. In addition, hitting the stage that night will be performances from Tems, Tobe Nwigwe, Jagged Edge and Ari Lennox, hosted by Deon Cole and musical sounds by DJ Clark Kent.
Saturday, July 1
On Saturday, will be sure to show attendees how to ‘work it’ as the first female in Hip-Hop to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Missy Elliott, graces the center stage for a can’t-miss performance! From Philadelphia to the French Quarter, an injection of Philly Soul will pierce through this year’s festival, when the one and only Jill Scott rocks the mic, to bring some Brotherly…and Sisterly Love.
West Coast All-Stars Ice Cube, DJ Quik, Ice T, Yo-Yo, Lady of Rage, J.J. Fad and E-40, will remind, and show, the city of New Orleans that California knows how to party. Jermaine Dupri will curate a special “The South Got Something to Say” performance highlighting some of the biggest Hip-Hop artists from the ATL with Ludacris, T.I., Gucci Mane, Lil Jon and Big Boi.
The second night in the concert series will also include R&B hits from Monica and Coco Jones, hosted by Affion Crockett & Spice Adams, with DJ Kid Capri on the Wheels of Steel.
Sunday, July 2
To close out the festival’s evening concert series on Sunday, July 2nd, 3x Grammy Award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion, will hit the stage and get attendees in the right mood for a ‘hot girl summer’!
Radio icon Angie Martinez is bringing a golden celebration of the women who changed the face of Hip-Hop and influenced culture with a curation of performances by Eve, Salt-N-Pepa, Remy Ma, Trina and New Orleans’ own Mia X. Afrobeats hitmaker and Grammy-award winning artist Wizkid will join the closing night along with R&B songstress Muni Long and Nigerian singer-songwriter Kizz Daniel, hosted by Abbott Elementary breakout star Janelle James with throwback jams and remixes, to keep the party going from DJ Spinderella.
Also on the schedule of events, is celebrity stylist Johnny Wright with an announcement.
Where To Stay For Essence Fest
New Orleans hotels are quickly filling up for Essence Fest. If you’re looking to book in New Orleans, here are some rates we’re seeing two weeks from the event:
- Bourbon Orleans Hotel — $484 a night
- Holiday Inn Downtown — $585 a night
- Hotel Mazarin — $385 a night
- La Pavillon — $302 a night
- The Roosevelt New Orleans — $502 a night
Final Word
As one of the top festivals in the city, Essence Fest always draws thousand of people to New Orleans, which helps the local economy.
The city draws more than 130 events a year, according to its Chamber of Commerce. Many of these events are conventions, but a good number are festivals as well.
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If you’re thinking about traveling from New Orleans to an international city, there’s never been a better time. We’re not saying fares are cheap, but the reality is you can save on airfare right now.
In this article, we’re going to show you some excellent destinations you can fly to from New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong Airport.
Best international Cities To Travel To Right Now
We will list the vaccination requirements of each locale and whether they require quarantine periods for U.S. visitors who are not vaccinated.
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The 2022 Bayou Classic is once again set to be a great game between the Southern Jaguars and Grambling State Tigers. If you want to watch the game on TV, here are your options.
The game takes place on Saturday, November 26, 2022.
Bayou Classic: Date, Time, Streaming Info
- Date: Saturday, November 27, 2022
- Kickoff Time: 1:00 P.m. ET
- Location: Caesar’s Super Dome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Records: Southern Jaguars (6-4) vs. Grambling Tigers 3-7)
- TV Channel: Local NBC 33
- Live Stream: fuboTV (Watch it free)
Final Word
New Orleans is one of those cities that you can get lost in once you take the time to explore it. As the former capital of Louisiana, New Orleans is one of the most eclectic and eccentric cities in the world.
One of the things that makes the place special is the people, which are eager to show you a good time via parties and authentic New Orleans cuisine.
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New Orleans is a city with some of the most beautiful greenspaces in the Southeast. If you’re looking for the perfect picnic spot, you’ve got a number of great options.
Where Can I Go For A Picnic In New Orleans?
Remember to watch the forecast so that rain doesn’t spoil your outing in any way. Also, don’t stay too long. Around sunset, it’s time to wrap it up.
Confetti Park
451 Pelican Ave, New Orleans, LA 70114 | (504) 658-3201
“Confetti park had a neighborhood vibe,” says one visitor, “with a welcoming atmosphere. an amazing brass band of youth, lead the music of the parade, while the dancing boy energetically lead us down the neighborhood’s streets. homemade floats, bikes, scooters and roller skates followed the music. wonderful time, and we are grateful for the experience.”
City Park
1 Palm Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124 | (504) 482-488
Here’s what one park lover says about City Park. “In our three-day visit we came here three times. Insanely gorgeous trees, so many activites to choose from . The Sculpture garden is a must-see. Would have loved to do the light up swan boat in the evening. We ended up visiting the art museum because it looked all enticing from the park. There isn’t enough time in one visit to enjoy it all. Bring bug spray and lots of water!”
Crescent Park
Crescent Park Trail, 2300 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70117 | (504) 636-6400
Here’s what one visitor says about Crescent Park: “A beautifully landscaped park. The spacious recreation destination is a great place to roller skate, meditate, jog, people watch, nap, bike, and tables to have a picnic.There are attended public restrooms and park security. There is a fenced in K-9 play area for both small and large dog’s at the bywater entrance of the park. Both mean’s of egress are ADA accessible.”
Woldenberg Park
1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 861-2537
Here’s what one visitor says about Woldenberg Park. “Best view. I love water. And it’s very peaceful. People running pass. Kids running having fun. Watching the sunrise and sunset right here amazing.”
Marsalis Harmony Park
8211 S Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 658-3200
Here’s what one park lover says about Marsalis Harmony Park. “Wonderful atmosphere with occasional festivals and art markets! Hands down one of the best shaded playgrounds in the city.”
Mississippi River Heritage Park
ohn Churchill Chase St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 658-3200
Here’s what one visitor says about Mississippi River Heritage Park. “The park has the cool artwork thru its entrance path and is a nice simple green space with benches to enjoy your stroll. Plus, its next to several of the hotels and across from the convention center.”
Clouet Gardens
710 Clouet St, New Orleans, LA 70117
Here’s what one visitor says about Clouet Park. “I love Bywater, anytime you take a walk, you are greeted with something new to see. It is so peaceful . This garden is a great place to sit and just reflect. Don’t leave without speaking on the wind phone;) There is a little free library where you can even grab a book while you sit.”
Final Word
New Orleans is full of some top-rated tours and activities for singles and families. If you’re looking for something to do, remember to check out the city’s restaurants.
If you’re an outdoors person, don’t fret. Here are some other great parks in New Orleans.
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