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Contemplating a Purchase? This Flowchart Will Help.
Financial success and stability isn’t all about budgeting and saving – it’s also about knowing how (and when!) to spend wisely. The thing that gets people in trouble is that we make purchases based on our emotions. Instead of weighing the facts, considering the alternatives, and making a careful and informed decision, many of us simply break out our checkbooks (or debit cards, or even worse, our credit cards)... -
Five Unnecessary Credit Card Services
. . . and Why You Don’t Need Them If you’ve got a credit card, chances are good that your credit card company has tried to sell you some other credit-related service. At first glance, some of these offers sound kind of good – especially if you’re struggling with a high balance or dealing with credit score issues. After all, who doesn’t want a better credit score or a... -
The Six Deadly Sins of Credit Card Use
How a Few Bad Habits Can Add Up to a Cycle of Eternal Debt We all know that credit cards are hazardous to our financial health, but Americans are still using plastic just as much as ever. Just how bad is our addiction to plastic? According to a recent Cardhub study, Americans racked up a little over $18 million in credit card debt in the second quarter of 2011... -
‘Tis the Season for Saving: Six Ways to Save Big on Holiday Gift Giving
The holidays are right around the corner, and if you’re like most people that means you’re probably looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit without getting yourself into a mountain of debt in the process. It’s always fun to give gifts, but shopping for friends, family, and the person on your office’s secret Santa list can get expensive – fast. No worries. This year, I’m kicking... -
Five Decisions that can Make or Break Your Financial Future
You weren’t born rich. You didn’t win a million bucks in last week’s lottery (and, odds are, you won’t be next week’s big winner, either). You’re not a CEO, a movie star, a pro athlete, or a rapper with a multi-platinum album. You’re not Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, or Oprah Winfrey. And you know what? That’s okay. You don’t have to be any of those things to enjoy a... -
Five Budget-Friendly or DIY Substitutes for Day-to-Day Expenses
When you’re trying to save money, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly torn between needs and wants — or in some cases, needs or other needs. And I think it’s this feeling more than anything else that keeps some people from sticking to a budget. But frugal living isn’t just about going without. It’s about getting creative and finding ways to live (comfortably) within your means. It’s about... -
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? -
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. -
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...