When trying to save money, one of the budget categories many people cut is food. After all, aside from a mortgage payment or rent, it’s probably one of the largest monthly expenses for most families.
How to Prioritize Bills During a Crisis
With the onset of COVID-19, millions of people have suddenly found themselves out of work. While some people may have the ability to go back to work soon, others may not.
7 Money Mistakes to Avoid as a First Time Budgeter
Just about everyone who budgets makes mistakes from time to time. If anyone disagrees, they’re either fibbing, or they simply haven’t made that first mistake yet. But I promise that eventually, it will happen. For example, when my husband and I were first married, we accidently entered one of our paychecks twice. I’m sure you […]
How to Talk About Finances with Your Partner
Keeping a marriage together over the long haul is hard work. My husband and I can attest to that as we have been married for many years. In fact, I’ve been with him longer than I’ve been without him. Sure, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. However, over the years we’ve learned to deal […]
7 Things that can Lower Your Monthly Cell Phone Bill
I have to admit it. I’m guilty. My family had a conversation about cell phones recently, and my husband asked if I take mine everywhere. I replied that, yes, I do take my smart phone with me nearly everywhere. His question stemmed from something he’d heard on the radio. The show was about how the […]
10 Date Night Ideas that Won’t Break Your Budget
Have you ever wanted to go on a date with your significant other but it wasn’t in the budget? If you have, you’re not alone. The average cost of a date these days can set you back over a hundred dollars. To me, that seams like a lot of money to spend on a single […]
7 Ways to Lower Your Food Budget Every Month
Toward the end of December, or the beginning of January, many people make household budget adjustments. They often vow to lower their spending and save money throughout the coming year. However, to do that effectively, you should scrutinize last year’s spending and reign in anything that got out of control. One area I always look […]
What to Do When You Overspend Your Budget
Many people spend more money during November and December than they do other months of the year. That can really wreak havoc on their finances. The silly thing is, we all know those higher spend months are coming. After all, Thanksgiving and Christmas occur at the same time each year. Still, it’s not always easy […]
5 Budget Mistakes to Avoid in 2019
I always find that as the new year approaches, it’s a time for reflection. Apparently, Facebook agrees, because as the year closes, they post a summary that reflects some of the year’s highlights. Of course, once January rolls around, it’s also a time for new beginnings. New exercise programs, diets, and other goals are often […]
5 Gifting Strategies to Avoid Buyer’s Remorse in January
I’ve pretty much gotten all of my Christmas gifting wrapped up. Ok, so not all of the presents are actually wrapped and under the tree. But I have at least purchased, or made, most of the things I’ll be giving as gifts this year. Now that my kids are adults, they get fewer gifts from […]
How to Give Your Boss a Nice Holiday Gift
There are a lot of things I love about the holiday season. One example is seeing the pretty lights and decorations everyone puts up in their homes and businesses. I also enjoy special holiday food dishes, Christmas music, and the parties where friends and loved ones gather. What I don’t love is trying to find […]
9 Ways a Smaller Home Can Benefit Your Budget
When my husband and I first got married we wanted what many other couples dream of – to own our own home. But we were still in college at the time, and money was tight.
How to Give Your Budget a Break without Killing it
Whenever you’re trying to rid yourself of debt, and stick to a strict budget, denying yourself can get old. In fact, if you don’t treat yourself once in a while you’re probably going to blow it big time. The problem with blowing it is that you could sabotage everything you’ve been working so hard for. […]
4 Ways Competing with the Joneses Harms Your Budget
Last week I went to visit my daughter who recently moved. It was quite a drive, so I’ve stayed several days and plan to drive back home tomorrow. In the meantime, we’ve been cleaning, painting, and decorating her new place.
4 Reasons Not to Give Up on Financial Goals in Summer
I must confess I am not sure just where the time has gone this year. It seems like the last I knew it was January and then all of a sudden it’s June.
8 Reasons Graduates Need to Watch Their Budgets
Once you graduate from college you may feel a sense of relief. No doubt part of that relief is due to the idea that your studying days are over.
Budgeting When Your Income Fluctuates
Having a monthly budget to follow can really help if you struggle with your finances. It keeps you accountable for your spending by reminding you of all your monthly monetary obligations. But imagine if your budget were to get blown out of the water because your paycheck got skipped. How would you keep your bills […]
Don’t Count on Luck to Improve Your Finances
It’s probably not a stretch of the truth to assume that many people have financial difficulties occasionally. Of course, for some people it happens more often than others. But one thing that doesn’t help is counting on luck to improve your finances. For most of us there is no pot of gold at the end […]
How to Help Your Budget Using Social Media
Most people use some type of social media app on a daily basis. When you’re on the go you likely see them rapidly pecking away on smart phones or other electronic devices. In fact, you may even be one of them. I must admit that I am. I like to use social media to catch […]
Negative Impacts Friends and Family Could Have on Your Spending
Peer pressure isn’t something that only affects teenagers. It may be more subtle, but it affects adults too. In fact, if you pay close attention you can feel it in your relationships with friends, coworkers, and family members. If the peer pressure is great enough you may not be able to resist the temptation to […]