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 […]
Often Forgotten Items That Should Be in Your Budget
As the first month of the new year draws to a close it is likely many people have already revised their budgets. If you are among them, it’s important to note that making changes to it doesn’t mean your budgeting is complete for the year. In fact, you should review your budget at least every […]
New Year’s Resolutions You Can and Should Keep
With Christmas just a day behind us, the new year is fast approaching. Many people will take the next few days to reflect on all of the changes the past year has brought. But multitudes of people will also begin thinking about their goals and New Year’s resolutions for the year ahead. They’ll try out […]
What You Should Teach Your Kids About Money
It’s a sad truth that many young people today have not been taught how to handle money. Quite a few of them, in fact, are unable to count back change when they need to, such as at a job. But why are our youth not learning these fundamental life skills? For one thing, schools may […]
8 Financial Tips for College Freshmen
Summer is winding down and retail stores are beginning to stock their shelves with back to school items. Soon it will be time for last spring’s high school graduates to pack up their belongings and head away to college. Starting your freshmen year of college is an exciting rite of passage. It comes with lots […]
3 Things People Who Are Broke Are Tired of Hearing
Lately, it seems like there is a lot of sniping between and even among generations about who is playing the “game of life” better. If you’re a Baby Boomer, Millennials are lazy, overly-educated people who wish all their debts would disappear by magic. If you’re a Millennial, people born before you (especially Baby Boomers) got […]
5 Ways I’m Saving On Our Wedding
With only three days to go before the big day, there has come a point in wedding planning where I’m just saying “forget it.” Ring not cleaned right before the wedding? Forget it! Welcome bags for guests not quite complete? Hopefully no one will notice! One thing I’m not saying “forget it” to is our […]
Using the KonMari Method on Your Budget
By now, you’ve probably heard of Mari Kondo’s best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. In the book, author and professional organizer Mari Kondo describes how to declutter and simplify your life using her methods. The #1 bestseller on the New York Times list has developed a cult-like following, according to the Wall Street […]
5 Ways to Reduce Your Taxable Income This Year
It’s almost the end of the year, which means you might be a little curious about next year’s taxes. If you received a raise this year, had a change in marital or family status, or run your own side business, you may also be wondering how to reduce your taxable income to not owe as […]
Why You Need to Fight Lifestyle Inflation
After graduating from college, or moving out of your parents’ house and into your own place, it’s easy and sometimes necessary to increase your lifestyle. After all, eating ramen every single day is affordable, but not healthy. Upgrading your food budget to incorporate fruits and vegetables may be a little more expensive at first, but […]
Money Moves to Make in Your 30s
In today’s society, it’s easy to get complacent when it comes to your finances. Today, PF Pro contributor, Melissa Hoffman takes a look at five money moves you should make in your 30’s. Don’t put these off until it’s too late, take action now! While your twenties may have been a time of massive change […]
The Gamification of Investing
Turning events into games is one of those endearing hobbies that a lot of us like to indulge in. Whether it’s Fantasy Football or Fantasy Football, The Bachelor Edition (yes, that’s a thing), we all like to turn things we can’t control into a game. It turns out even investing isn’t immune to being turned […]
My Favorite Frugal Fall Activities
PFP: Living in SoCal has its benefits but it would be nice to see the leaves change color once in a while. Today, PF Pro contributor Kali Hawlk takes a look at all the best free activities out there to do during the fall. Personally, I think the best types of activities are the free […]
How Much Does It Cost To Go To FinCon? (And My Biggest Takeaway From The Conference)
One of the coolest parts about being a personal finance blogger is the community that I get to engage with on a daily basis. I started blogging three years ago as a way to really just jot down all my thoughts on personal finance. A lot of times when I can’t remember why I’m investing […]
How to Give In to Lifestyle Inflation the Right Way
My financial philosophy developed out of a desire to make the most of my meager wages. When I started my professional career after gradating college, I made $12 per hour. Thankfully, I didn’t have any debt — or paying all my bills and saving a little money each month would have been impossible. Still, it […]
Is Our Gift Giving Culture Out of Control?
Both my sister-in-law and nephew have birthdays at the end of July. My nephew had his first birthday last summer, and I could not believe the amount of crap presents he was given from friends and family members. I’m not trying to be a big old Scrooge. He’s a cute kid and obviously well-loved by many. […]
9 Unexpected Ways Your Budget Leaks Cash
We all know about the usual ways cash can leak out of our budgets: spending too much at the grocery store thanks to impulse purchases, going out and buying lunch at work instead of brown-bagging it, or saying “I deserve it!”and treating yourself one too many times. These extra purchases can leave us with a […]






