Budgeting

Financial Goals and Motivation: Eight Ways to Stay the Course

It’s not always easy to stick to a financial goal. Maybe you’ve decided to get serious about paying off that high-interest credit card in the next year. Or perhaps you’re finally ready to build up your emergency fund. Maybe you want to save up a down payment for a home. Maybe you want to get the money together for a big, much-needed family vacation.   No matter what kind...

Budgeting for Change: How to Handle More (or Less) Money

If you read this blog regularly, you already know that I’m a big believer in budgeting. And you also probably know that there are lots of great budgeting ideas out there, from the traditional to the creative.   But when it comes to budgeting, it really doesn’t matter what kind of budget you choose. What does matter is that you choose something that you’ll stick to – and that...

Five Must-Know Personal Finance Basics

You probably have distinct memories of learning to drive a car. Maybe you learned from your parents or an older sibling. Or maybe you took a driver’s ed class at your high school or community center. However you learned, chances are pretty good that someone showed you the ropes and made you practice – a lot – before handing you the keys to the family automobile.   This isn’t...

Tired of Traditional Budgets? Try the Proportional Approach

Budgeting is the foundation of healthy personal finances. It helps you set and achieve goals and identify finance habits that need work. If you don’t have enough money coming in, or if too much is going out, budgeting is the all-important red flag that can get you in motion in time to avoid an all-out disaster.   But while most people agree budgets are important in theory, it can...

Why it Pays to Track Your Spending

You may have read here once or twice how important it is to create and maintain a budget. In fact, budgeting your money is one of the most important steps you can take toward achieving financial stability.   But any attempt you make to set a budget will be a waste of time unless you go into it with a realistic picture of your spending habits. You simply can’t...

Want to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck? Seven Ways to Break the Cycle

Living paycheck to paycheck is the opposite of secure.  You never know when an unexpected expense will tap into the money you intended to use for rent, groceries, or bills.   You want to save, but no matter how hard you try, there’s never any extra money to save for emergencies, debt repayment, or even that family vacation you’d like to take.  Even positive events, like anniversaries or birthday celebrations,...

Frugal Living: New Ways to Save

Ever get the feeling that there aren’t any new ideas out there when it comes to frugal living and budgeting?  Now, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy reading and writing about just about everything finance-related – but sometimes I feel like I’ve heard every tip out there.  Every savings and frugal living blog (mine included!) will tell you that things like shopping with a grocery list can help you...

House Poor? Here are a Few Tips

Home ownership has long been considered a key component of the “American dream.”  But for many folks, the reality of owning a home has been a rude awakening.  Instead of enjoying the security and sense of well-being that often accompanies buying a home, these folks are struggling to keep up with too-high mortgage payments that leave them basically broke every month.  These people aren’t in a position to save...

Kickstart Your Savings or Debt Repayment Plan with a 30-Day Spending Freeze

Trying to pay down credit card debt?  Want to beef up your vacation savings or your emergency fund?  A month-long spending freeze is a great way to jumpstart any savings or debt repayment plan.    Basically, a one-month “spending freeze” works like this:  For one month, you only spend money on things you actually need, such as food, rent or mortgage, and utilities.  You cover your basic needs, and...

Save on Everything: How to Get the Stuff You Need for Less

Maybe your new year’s resolution was to shop smarter or save more money.  Maybe you’re planning a major 2013 budget overhaul.  Or maybe you’re just looking for a few ways to make your hard-earned money stretch a little further this year.  January is a great time to set saving and spending goals, and I’m sharing my favorite tips for frugal living all year long.   Want to save money...