Time and money are both limited resources. How do you decide when to spend money to save time versus when to save money by doing something yourself that takes time?The decision of whether to spend money to save time comes down to time management and the state of your finances. Look … [Read more...] about Should you spend money to save time?
Budgeting and Organization
What to do if you’re more frugal than your spouse
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"Did you use the coupon?"I asked my husband this question when he returned from the store. I had a good idea his answer would be some variation of no. Usually he says "I forgot." But that hasn’t stopped me from trying for the past 20 years.My husband doesn’t understand coupons or sales or … [Read more...] about What to do if you’re more frugal than your spouse
11 ways to save money using social media
Social media is a daily distraction, but not many people know they can use Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and other channels to save money. That's right, you can use your break-time scrolling to find deals and resources to keep your expenses down.Embrace high-tech frugality with these 11 ways to … [Read more...] about 11 ways to save money using social media
How to budget with the envelope system
This post is by Eva Baker of Teens Got Cents.Have you bought a new pair of sunglasses lately? Sunglasses from one of those fancy sunglass shops start around $50 and go on up — way up. I've never been one to spend $150 on a pair of sunglasses. Truth is, I lose them. Drop them. Sit on them. … [Read more...] about How to budget with the envelope system
How to set (and stick to) a vacation budget
For Kathy Lopez, it’s all about the spreadsheet. When she started planning a future trip to Europe with her friends, she put every expense into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to determine how much the month-long adventure would cost.“We’re going to save a lot of money and planning time on the … [Read more...] about How to set (and stick to) a vacation budget
How to build an emergency fund
No matter how we may plan, stuff happens. Your glasses break. Your car needs work to pass its emissions test. The water heater goes out. Your employer announced layoffs – and you're one of the victims.Unexpected expenses seem to show up more often than windfalls. That's why you need to set aside … [Read more...] about How to build an emergency fund
How we got out of debt by coloring
This guest post is by Heidi Ifland NashOur 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
What to do if you can’t pay your bills
There’s no doubt that for many people have suffered a big toll on their finances. Whether you’re down an income (or two) in your household, or waiting on unemployment or small business help, you might be stressing about what to do with the stack of bills that is piling up or on the way.On the … [Read more...] about What to do if you can’t pay your bills
11 essential documents for unmarried couples
For 32 years, Stieg Larsson and Eva Gabrielsson shared a life and a home. She says she even helped the celebrated Swedish author research his best-selling trilogy of novels that started with "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." But because Larsson died in 2004 without a will, none of the profits … [Read more...] about 11 essential documents for unmarried couples
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
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
Quick and easy budgeting on paper
Happy New Year! If you've been thinking about preparing and living on a budget this year following is how to get started immediately. With a little tracking (that can lead to some self-awareness) you can be on your way to achieving your financial goals in no time.Pen and paper v. Software and … [Read more...] about Quick and easy budgeting on paper
Why and how to make an estate plan, even if you’re not rich
Estate planning is only for old, rich people. Estate planning is scary. Estate planning is so easy you can do it yourself. Wrong. Wrong. And, so wrong, unless you want your family duking it out in front of Judge Judy.Simply put: An estate plan is a set of legal documents that allows you to … [Read more...] about Why and how to make an estate plan, even if you’re not rich
How to find extra money to invest this year
For many, investing is scary. Memories of the financial crisis and stock market crash of 2008 and 2009 and the tech bubble burst in the early 2000s scare many consumers away. On top of that, the myth that you need a substantial amount of capital to start investing persists. With worries … [Read more...] about How to find extra money to invest this year
