Gift cards and certificates are a favorite holiday or birthday gift for many people who want their loved ones to choose exactly the gift they want. According to a 2016 Barron's report, over $970 million in gift card cash went unused in 2015. Although the amount seems high, numbers have dropped … [Read more...] about How to use gift cards to save money
Budgeting and Organization
Save money using social media
Social media is a part of our daily lives. We are distracted at work by posts from friends, breaking news Tweets and colorful pictures waiting to be pinned to boards. But we can use the same media to save money. Here are some ideas: Early birds hear the tweet. You can gain early access to deals … [Read more...] about Save money using social media
Easy ways to save money on school supplies
It's the most exciting time of the year for bargain shoppers who have kids in school (or for anyone who likes cheap office supplies). For some people, school supply shopping is a big, fun, traditional spending spree. It was for my mom and me. But I’ve made this time of year into a big, fun, … [Read more...] about Easy ways to save money on school supplies
Beware of automatic renewals
I once got a phone call offering me a six-month subscription to a publication. I took them up on the offer. When I got a renewal notice six months later, I ignored it because I didn’t want to continue the subscription. Tip No. 1: You can no longer afford to ignore subscription notices for print … [Read more...] about Beware of automatic renewals
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
How to simplify your life (in three easy steps)
When I think of the word “simplify” I am reminded of Henry David Thoreau’s famous directive to “Simplify, Simplify!” Thoreau carried his belief in simplifying to what most of us would consider an extreme in today’s world. He chose to live alone in a cabin in the woods, off the grid (not that there … [Read more...] about How to simplify your life (in three easy steps)
Expert advice on teaching kids about money
Do you remember your dad asking: “Do you think money grows on trees?” or “Do you think I’m made of money?” Well, yes, as a matter of fact, we kind of did. If anything, that attitude is multiplied many times by today’s kids.The time to teach our children about money is when they’re young, so when … [Read more...] about Expert advice on teaching kids about money
Expert advice on digging your way out of debt
When Miranda Marquit started writing about personal finance six years ago, she “was maxed out on my credit cards,” she admits. No more. And the publisher of Planting Money Seeds has a few words of hard-earned advice for anyone who has dug themselves into a debt hole so big they think they’ll never … [Read more...] about Expert advice on digging your way out of debt
Downsize your clutter and build wealth
Are you ready to downsize and save money? I contacted downsizing expert, Monica Friel, owner of Chaos to Order, to help use tackle the clutter situation. How much do you have to get rid of Ms. Friel's recommendation is to start by understanding how much you have to get rid of. If you are … [Read more...] about Downsize your clutter and build wealth
Tools to organize your life in the new year
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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 gets organized once and for all; … [Read more...] about Tools to organize your life in the new year
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 debt, … [Read more...] about 21 ways to deal with your post-holiday financial hangover
Automate your digital life with IFTTT
IFTTT is a web and smartphone app that is all about automating small tasks to save you time in your day-to-day life. IFTTT stands for “If This Then That,” and works just like it sounds. By creating a trigger and a follow-up action with one of the 367 supported services, you can automate everything … [Read more...] about Automate your digital life with IFTTT
