• April Schultz and her husband struggle financially despite a $130,000 combined income.
• The couple, once stable with one income, now work four jobs and feel financial strain.
• They spend $200 a week on groceries for their family of seven and cut most subscriptions.

April Schultz, 40, and her husband Kevin, 45, bring in $130,000 a year in gross income combined between their four jobs and side gigs. Still, Schultz said it shocks her that such an income "feels like poverty."

"With $100,000, I feel like we should be able to do a little extra with it," Schultz said. "We should be able to have a little bit more entertainment. We should be able to shop at Costco and not worry about it."

She said a few years ago, her husband was the sole breadwinner while she stayed home with the kids, and there were few financial worries. However, now they don't have enough to comfortably pay for a Netflix subscription, which costs $15.49 a month for a standard subscription.

"We shouldn't have to have four jobs in one family," Schultz said. "I feel like that's crazy when, in 2017, we had one income and we were doing just fine."

Despite making much more than the federal poverty line — which is $47,340 for a family of 7 — Schultz and her husband are considered at the higher end of ALICE — or asset-limited, income-constrained, employed. This population often makes above the income limits to quality for government social benefits like food stamps but not enough to comfortably afford their daily expenses. Many are living paycheck to paycheck and are forced to cut back spending on some essentials to afford others.

"It's hard to get in data the frustration, the stress, the ongoing day in day out, having to make some really bad choices," Stephanie Hoopes, national director at United For ALICE, previously told BI. "Are you going to get the medicine for your kid, or are you going to have dinner tonight? Are you going to keep the electricity on? Are you going to go to childcare?"

Simpler, less expensive times

For her first two kids, finances were very tight, and they relied on assistance like Medicaid. After her husband got a government contractor job with the Department of Defense, she said finances were much more stable, even after having three more kids.

For 12 years, she was a stay-at-home mom, and she returned to work after her youngest started school in 2016. She's held bookkeeping and secretarial jobs for the last six years while the family moved around for her husband's job to states including California, Arizona, and Minnesota.

"We were able to make those moves on our own dime, and it was really comfortable living," Schultz said. "We made less than we do now."

Her husband took a second job at the airport last year, helping load and unload planes a few nights a week. Schultz took a day job at the local school, a coaching role, and she temporarily held a bookkeeping position.

In October 2023, the family sold their home in Idaho and bought a home in Mascoutah, Illinois, a small city about a half hour from St. Louis and near the Scott Air Force Base. Most residents are either in the military or are married to someone who is, she said. Still, she said the topic of affordability is a "constant conversation" in her city, as she's noticed home prices in her area skyrocket recently.

Her husband makes slightly over $100,000 before taxes between his two jobs, while she makes around $30,000. She said that while there are job opportunities in her area, most don't pay enough for the area's cost of living. She's content with her current role, which allows her to be in closer proximity to her kids.

She said some of the financial burden comes from their decision to live in Illinois instead of Missouri and to have a larger family. They pay $600 a month in property taxes in Illinois, which has the second-highest effective tax rate of any state. Still, she said the last few years have been jarringly more difficult for them.

"We can pay our bills, but there's never anything extra," said Schultz, noting that they don't go out to dinner, see movies in theaters, or travel. "We've never been on a vacation with our family."

Cutting back on extra costs

They cut cable and canceled subscriptions to platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix. Their cars are over 15 years old and have over 200,000 miles. While they don't have car payments, they're worried one of them will break down, and they won't be able to buy another one. Additionally, they purchase clothes and furniture secondhand.

They're both still paying off student loan debt, and they've been forced to use credit cards for everyday purchases, which she said they hate doing. They mostly use an all-cash system to budget every single dollar, to see what they can save for an emergency fund. However, there hasn't been much left over, especially with rising utilities costs that are controlled by the city.

Schultz said she's desperately trying to bring food costs for the family down to just $200 a week — less than what the USDA recommends a family of four spend for a thrifty food plan. She shops at Aldi and often watches YouTube recipes for inexpensive meals. They canceled their Costco and Sam's Club memberships since they calculated that they would spend more there even though they would buy ingredients in bulk.

"Ever since COVID, we just never have been able to get ahead," Schultz said. "It's just constantly trying to struggle to get to a place where we can live without always worrying."

A few years ago, she had a cancer scare that cost $500 to get checked out. She said she shouldn't have to take a large amount out of her savings to make sure she's healthy.

She said they will not budge on investing in their kids' sports, which quickly adds up. They will always buy their kids equipment or clothes for cheerleading or choir to allow them to excel academically. However, she's told her kids they have to get scholarships to college if they want to attend or figure out a way to pay for it themselves, as they have no way of paying for any college funds.

She's not too worried about retirement, as her job has a mandatory 401(k), though her employers don't put in anything beyond their requirements. Her husband will receive retirement benefits from the government, which gives them peace of mind. They both anticipate downsizing once their kids have moved out and relocating to a more rural and cheaper place.

Still, she fears they won't be able to give their kids much down the line. She's encouraged her kids to look for ways to make money through odd jobs, as she doesn't give them an allowance and only buys them gifts for their birthdays and Christmas.

"Trying to think of 20 years down the road when we've got kids about to go to college next year, it's kind of a 'future us' problem, unfortunately," Schultz said.

Are you an ALICE struggling to make ends meet? Are you worried about retirement? Reach out to this reporter at nsheidlower@businessinsider.com.

• We spoke to interior designers to learn the common mistakes people make when decorating a bathroom.
• Shower curtains and liners that don't fit properly can distract from your room's overall design.
• Most bathrooms should have multiple light sources, including one in the shower. 

You spend a decent amount of time in the bathroom, so it's important to make it look good. 

Unfortunately, it's pretty easy to stumble upon a few design mishaps while planning out this much-used space.

Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when decorating a bathroom, according to interior designers. 

A bathroom that doesn't have sensible storage options could just become cluttered.

Gena Kirk, vice president of design at KB Home, told Business Insider that sometimes a customer's "design aesthetic" can prevent them from actually thinking practically about their bathroom, especially when it comes to storage. 

She suggests using a medicine cabinet that incorporates lighting, electrical outlets, and integrated mirrors for a space that's both beautiful and functional.

She also suggests adding extra storage through built-in cabinetry near the sink or toilet.

Ideally, bathrooms should have multiple light sources.

Proper lighting is a must throughout your home, especially in your bathroom, Kirk told BI.

"We all do a lot of close-up work in the bathroom, from brushing and flossing to plucking and applying. If you do not have proper lighting this could go horribly wrong," she said.

Ideally, she sai,d you should include three forms of it in your space — overhead, close-up, and task lighting, which can be moved or adjusted so you can use it for specific activities.

Not incorporating a universal, functional design into your bathroom could be costly down the road.

Jessica Lagrange, founder and principal designer of Jessica Lagrange Interiors, told BI that low toilets and high tubs are just a few of the design faux pas that can cause problems in the bathroom.

"These things can be lethal to not only older household members or guests but anyone who isn't being cautious every moment they use the bathroom," Lagrange said.

She said that it's important to have a bathroom that's safe and sustainable, especially since major renovations can be expensive — so you may want to be especially careful when choosing the height and measurements of your most-used bathroom pieces. 

Short mirrors are impractical and they can make your space seem smaller.

Many people spend time in the bathroom styling their hair, applying makeup, and getting dressed — all of which require the right mirror. 

"My pet peeve in any bathroom are mirrors that are too short," Ami Austin, principal designer at Ami Austin Interiors, told BI. "It is always best to take the mirror to the ceiling or crown molding from the vanity. It allows for a more spacious bathroom.

Shower curtains and liners that don't fit properly can distract from your room's overall design.

If your shower curtain is too long or too short it can distract from the room's overall design, Austin told BI.

She said she prefers hanging shower curtains high up to help add depth to a room, which can also be a wise idea if you've bought a shower curtain that's a bit too long. 

 

 

Shiny floors might look nice, but they're often too slippery for a bathroom.

Gail Barley, principal designer at Gail Barley Interiors, told BI that bathrooms often get wet and slippery, which can be a safety hazard. 

Because of this, she said you should avoid slick finishes on your bathroom tiles, opting for rough or matte ones instead. If you already have a slippery floor, try topping it with washable rugs that can be held in place with carpet tape. 

Not having storage solutions in your shower could lead to a cluttered mess of bottles on your floor.

Without proper storage solutions, your shower can quickly become cluttered with bottles and sponges. 

"When designing your shower, you should always consider where your shampoo bottles and other bathroom accouterments will go," Barley said.

Even if you are unable to redesign your entire shower, you can use a caddy or adjustable shelf to affordably add more storage to the space. 

If there are no lights in or near your shower, your bathroom may be less functional.

"No one wants to shower in the dark, but so many people neglect to place lights in their showers thinking that a central fixture will put out enough light," Barely told BI.

Because of this, you may want to invest in having a light fixture installed in your shower, especially if your space has a dark shower curtain or no window. 

A themed bathroom with too many colors can be overwhelming, not relaxing.

Colorful bathrooms can be fun, but you might be better off adding pops of color with art instead of using vibrant tiles, tubs, and sinks that can be costly to replace. 

"Unless you are decorating for a child's bath, themed baths are also busy and uninviting," Austin told BI. "Instead, use neutrals with a pop of color from art to bring out the best look."

This story was originally published on December 30, 2019, and most recently updated on May 16, 2024.

• The UK has unveiled a new radio frequency-directed energy weapon under development.
• The Ministry of Defence said it could take out a swarm of drones for just $0.12 a shot.
• Countries are racing to develop these kinds of weapons, to try to combat drones and missiles.

Britain is developing a new radio-wave weapon designed to take out a "swarm" of drones for just $0.12 a shot, the UK's Ministry of Defence said in a press statement.

According to the MOD, the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon, or RFDEW, uses radio waves to detect, track, and disable electronic components at a range of up to 1000 meters.

It touted it as a far more affordable option than traditional missile-based air-defense systems and said that thanks to its high level of automation, it can be operated by a single person.

"The war in Ukraine has shown us the importance of deploying uncrewed systems, but we must be able to defend against them too," James Cartlidge, the UK's Minister for Defence Procurement, said.

According to the MOD, the weapon can be mounted on a range of military vehicles and produces pulses in a beam that can be expanded to engage multiple threats or quickly fire sequential bullets at specific targets.

Soldiers will field test it over the summer, it added.

The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the growing importance of unmanned aerial vehicles to modern warfare.

Ukraine and Russia have both deployed thousands of drones, and in an interview with Foreign Policy last month, a NATO official said that Ukrainian drones were responsible for two-thirds of recent Russian tank losses.

Ukraine has also sent drones far into Russia to target oil facilities.

Drones have also been used by Houthi rebels against ships in the Red Sea, and last month Iran used drones and missiles in a thwarted attack on Israel.

Paul Hollinshead, the CEO of one of the companies developing the new weapon, said the system will provide the UK armed forces with a "decisive" operational advantage, saving lives and neutralizing "deadly" threats.

Directed-energy weapons, including high-energy lasers and high-power radio frequency or microwave devices, have taken on renewed importance as they are considered the future of anti-drone and anti-satellite warfare.

The Pentagon is spending $1 billion a year on directed-energy weapons to counter drones and missiles, according to a report published by the Government Accountability Office last year.

Other countries, including France, China, Germany, Russia, India, and Israel, are also racing to develop their own directed-energy weapons.

In January, the UK MOD tested-fired its DragonFire, a powerful laser cannon that can shoot drones out of the sky.

Turkey was the first country to use directed-energy weapons in combat, to destroy a combat vehicle in Libya in 2019, according to the military and defense website Army Recognition.

• Business Insider spoke to a former Costco employee to learn how to get the best deals at the store. 
• Robinson said price codes will tell you if the item has been discounted or not. 
• She also said to check the Costco app for coupons and to split bulk items with friends and family.

There are plenty of killer deals to find at Costco, but shopping smart is key to saving the most cash. 

Business Insider spoke to Tess Robison, former Costco employee, to figure out how to get the best deals at the members-only wholesale giant. 

Here are some of the top ways to save money at Costco and maximize your membership.

Learn the price codes Costco uses.

Robison told BI that savvy shoppers can often tell if a product is a good deal by paying attention to the last digit of the price. 

She said that if a price ends in 99 cents, this means it's the regular wholesale price, and a price ending in 97 cents is the final discount price, meaning the item won't get any cheaper. 

"Whether you barely shop at Costco or you're there every day, it's helpful to know this tip so you can save some money," Robison said. "Plus it's not that difficult to memorize."

If a price sign has an asterisk on the upper-right corner, this means that the item will likely not be restocked, and you may want to stock up. 

Watch out for rotating monthly sales.

If your favorite brand of window cleaner or frozen pizza isn't on sale this month, it may be worth waiting a few weeks to catch an upcoming price reduction.

"My biggest piece of advice to just wait until an item goes on sale. Costco rotates which brands will be on sale just about every month," Robison told BI. 

 

Learn the layout of your local store to prevent impulse buys.

Robison said Costco stores are actually organized in a way that can force shoppers to walk through as many aisles as possible. 

"Costco stores are designed to make you wander around, so try not to get caught up in doing that," she said. "If you are trying to stick to a budget, I would definitely recommend heading straight to the aisles you want."

Noting where your favorite products are shelved can also help you optimize your next shopping trip and avoid unplanned purchases. 

Always stock up on items after the holiday season.

Though many people may try to give their credit card a break after the holidays, you can actually score steep discounts on items at Costco if you shop during the first few weeks of January. 

"Costco gets so many returns after the holidays, and the returned items are usually discounted by 50%, so they will sell quickly," Robison said. 

January is also a great time to stock up on seasonal decor at Costco due to the post-holiday sales.

Opt for Kirkland products when possible.

Costco stocks many name-brand products, but it also carries its own line of goods under the Kirkland label.

"The Kirkland brand is almost always cheaper and almost identical to the name brands on the shelf," Robison said.

But, she said, not every item is worth saving on. 

"The only thing that I have noticed that isn't the same, or as good of quality as other brands, is the toilet paper," she told BI. "It's not the cheapest thing you could buy, but it's not the greatest quality either."

When possible, grab a deal booklet instead of asking an employee about current deals.

If you want to quickly identify the best bargain buys, Robison recommends picking up a current sale booklet on your way into the store. 

"I wouldn't recommend asking an employee about current sales, as they won't know every single one in the store," Robison said.

If you want to go paperless, checking the price history of a Costco item with an online price-tracking tool or using the Costco app are good alternatives. 

 

Calculate whether the cost of membership is worth it for you.

Costco may be a great place to pick up discounted products, but the price of a membership may outweigh the savings if you don't do enough shopping there. 

"If you never or rarely shop at Costco, or if you live far away from one, then it's just not worth it," Robison said. 

 

Split bulk items with friends and share the cost.

Buying in bulk at a wholesale store like Costco means that though the cost of each individual item may be lower, you can end up with more items than you need. 

Robison told BI that divvying up larger sets of items, like mega-packs of toilet paper or batteries, with other people is a good way to reduce waste while still taking advantage of bulk pricing. 

 

Check out the gift cards to get "free money" at other stores.

It's worth checking out the gift card offers to see if you can leverage your Costco membership to net savings outside the store. 

The company often sells gift cards to other chain stores and restaurants at discounted prices. For example, you may be able to buy a gift card worth $80 for just $50 or save big on a multipack of event tickets. 

This story was originally published on July 23, 2020, and most recently updated on May 16, 2024.