Are you spending too much and saving too little? Do you not even know where your money is going? If the answer is yes, it's time to get your financial life in order. Even if you're doing well financially, the beginning of the year is a good time to take a look at your savings, your spending … [Read more...] about 10 ways to get your financial life in order
Money
How to teach your kids about budgets
We’ve all heard the horror stories: young people who graduate from college, move back home with their parents, make very little money and mishandle the cash they do earn. As many as 53 percent of millennials still receive financial help from their parents, according to 2018 statistics from a … [Read more...] about How to teach your kids about budgets
8 tax credits for parents with dependent children
The year our daughter Jane was born, my husband and I almost forgot to claim her on our taxes. She was a newborn, our accountant hadn't seen me pregnant and the topic never came up during our conversations. Luckily, we remembered, and Jane had a Social Security number, so we were able to claim the … [Read more...] about 8 tax credits for parents with dependent children
How we got out of debt by coloring
This guest post is by Heidi Ifland Nash Our story is not unique in how it begins. We were very “normal”. We were the typical American couple, no budget, consuming all of our income each month, and using credit cards to buy and pay for the things we didn’t save up for. We weren’t … [Read more...] about How we got out of debt by coloring
Tools to organize your life in the new year
With the new year upon us, we’re all thinking about resolutions. While losing weight and getting your finances in order are two popular choices, one resolution many of us make year after year is to get organized, once and for all. The truth is, no one ever finishes organizing their life; … [Read more...] about Tools to organize your life in the new year
How to make a budget spreadsheet: Step-by-step guide for first-timers
Budgeting used to involve a paper, pen and hours of work hunched over receipts and bank statements, but those days are long gone. Thanks to modern spreadsheet programs, you can make a do-it-yourself budget in just a few minutes. Whether you are new to personal finance management or a long-time … [Read more...] about How to make a budget spreadsheet: Step-by-step guide for first-timers
7 ways to save without downsizing your lifestyle
When you think about cutting your budget, do you immediately think about everything you’re going to need to sacrifice? It's not very motivating to focus on what you're going to lose, rather than how much you can gain by getting out of debt or saving more money toward your big goals. Look on the … [Read more...] about 7 ways to save without downsizing your lifestyle
7 tips to save money while shopping at Target
I have a love-hate relationship with Target. Just about everyone knows the “Target effect” where somehow you end up buying way more than you intend if you don’t adhere to a strict shopping budget. Before you know it you’ve easily racked up $100 bill or more. Still, I do love being able to find … [Read more...] about 7 tips to save money while shopping at Target
20 smart habits of millionaires you should adopt
The following is a guest post from Pauline of InvestmentZen.com. The best way to become a millionaire is to learn from people who are already there. After all, you are the average of the handful of people you surround yourself with. And as you can see from the list below, these 20 habits of … [Read more...] about 20 smart habits of millionaires you should adopt
21 ways to deal with your post-holiday financial hangover
Now that the holidays are over, many people are starting the New Year saddled with an overwhelming financial hangover of bills and debt. How do you deal with it? While it might be easier to just make the minimum payments, that’s not a good long-term plan. If you don’t make a plan to reduce your … [Read more...] about 21 ways to deal with your post-holiday financial hangover
How to wipe out debt — this time, for good
Many people believe getting out of debt is all about math: spending less than you earn and paying the difference to your debt until it's gone. Jackie Beck, author of The Debt Myth, says that it takes more than just math to get out of debt. It's about changing your money habits and the way you view … [Read more...] about How to wipe out debt — this time, for good
10 ways to change bad spending habits and save money
Make this the year you make changes to your bad spending habits and have a positive impact on your household budget. It’s easier than you think. Peruse this list of tips for smart spending, and pick a few money-saving strategies to try. Definitely do not adopt them all at once, as you’re … [Read more...] about 10 ways to change bad spending habits and save money
5 surprising ways your smartphone can save you money
You’ve probably accepted the fact that you can't live without your smartphone, even if it is an extra expense on top of your other bills. Of course, if you use your phone wisely, it could turn out to be a great investment. Check out these five ways your smart phone can actually help you save … [Read more...] about 5 surprising ways your smartphone can save you money
6 things you’re wasting money on — and how to stop
Are you wasting your money? Too many of us get to the end of the month, look at our dwindling bank account balances and wonder where all the money went. If you were to go back and really look at where all that money is going, you might find that you're wasting it rather than using is … [Read more...] about 6 things you’re wasting money on — and how to stop
11 New Year’s resolutions that will save you money in 2021
This year, resolve to make a change that will put more change in your own pocket. Look at your financial goals for the new year, and make 2021 the year you save money with your New Year's resolutions. Don't know where to start? Look for ways to break down larger goals into smaller manageable ones, … [Read more...] about 11 New Year’s resolutions that will save you money in 2021