-
Eating Well on a (Very) Tight Budget
Want to trim your family’s grocery bill? A family of four can make it – really! – on $70 a week. The grocery store can be a dangerous place: There are shelves stocked high with chips and cookies (placed at eye level, of course); family-sized frozen meals and kid-friendly boxed lunches; and aisles full of tempting and (supposedly) thrifty offers like that buy-one-get-one-free sale on heat-and-eat chicken tenders. If... -
Frugality 101: Five Good Money Habits
When it comes to personal finance, many of us like to think that some folks are just “good” with money. Managing money is a talent, we tell ourselves. Some people are good at budgeting and saving in the same way other people are good at fixing things or baking or doing Sudoku puzzles – right? -
How To Pay Off Your Mortgage Early & Save Thousands
Simple tips that will help you to shave years off of your mortgage and save tens of thousands of dollars. We discuss bi-weekly payments and annual bonus payments, and their affect on your bottom line. -
Are You Prepared for a (Financial) Disaster?
Could Your Budget Survive a Pink Slip? A Major (and Unplanned) Expense? Perfecting Your Contingency Plan You’ve probably heard at least one financial guru or TV-news talking head discussing the need for an emergency fund. Some say you need $5,000 in the bank. Some say $3,000 is plenty. Many (I fall into this group) say the amount varies from person to person. The logic is, by socking away some... -
Five Credit Card Purchases You Must Avoid
Most of my readers probably know I’m not a huge fan of credit cards – in general, I believe it’s better to save up and pay cash instead of racking up hefty credit card bills. In some cases, though, credit cards make sense. For example, some folks charge big-ticket items like large appliances to earn reward points, get cash back, or earn airline miles. Others like to keep their... -
Why Credit Card Minimum Payments Will Keep You In Debt
Have you been paying your credit card minimum monthly payments for years without your balance going down? This video shows you in simple terms, why making the minimum monthly payments will keep you in debt for a long time, and exactly how you can beat the system. -
Savings Strategies You Can Stick To (Really!)
If you want to start saving more money, it’s a good idea to find ways to make realistic adjustments to your spending habits. Saving isn’t about deprivation – it’s about spending your money wisely and finding ways to get the most bang for your buck. Saving – like dieting – is all about making changes you can live with. -
The Money Saving Power Of The Sack Lunch
Being “Frugal For Life” doesn’t mean living under a restricted budget. It means focusing on your finances in order to free up options today and in the future. Saving money by making your own sack lunch can really add up over time and give you some significant financial options. -
Frugal for Life: Five Ways to Spend Less and Live Well
Frugality isn’t about buying the cheapest thing available. It’s not about saying no to family vacations or the occasional dinner out. It’s not even about cutting out every little indulgence you love, like lattes or gossip mags. Real frugality – the kind you can actually live with on a day-to-day basis – is about making smart choices. It’s about needs vs. wants, “must-have” splurges vs. things you’re willing to... -
11 Money-Saving New Year’s Resolutions
It’s almost time to start counting down to 2011 – and what better way to ring in the new year than a resolution that helps you make positive changes in your life and your wallet? Looking for inspiration? I’ve made a list of 11 things you can do in 2011 to save money all year long: 1. Quit smoking. This one’s a no-brainer. It’s bad for you, and it’s...