Saving Money

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...

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...

Power of the Mind: Five Ways Our Spending Decisions Don’t Always Make ‘Cents’

Too often, even when think we’re making smart money decisions, we can be thrown off course by faulty thinking.  The old saying about the mind playing tricks on us is very true.  In fact, our minds can easily sabotage our efforts to save, minimize debt, and spend wisely. Here are five ways your mind can point you in the wrong direction when it comes to your finances – and...

Sidestepping Overdraft Fees: Five Ways to Avoid Bank Fees

It’s never a pleasant moment:  That realization that your checking account is overdrawn and your account is getting hit with multiple $35 overdraft fees.   Ultimately, we’re responsible for our own financial missteps – but we all make mistakes.  And if you’ve ever felt the sting of a huge overdraft fee for one small error like an overlooked debit card transaction, you know firsthand just how costly those mistakes...

Six Ways Stores Get You to Overspend

You went to the local big-box retailer to pick up a couple of very specific essentials.  It should have been a quick – and relatively inexpensive — trip.    Once you got to the store, though, that “quick” trip turned into something else entirely:  You got what you came for — but you also bought six bargain-priced DVDs; two industrial-sized bottles of shampoo; and, for reasons you don’t fully...

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...

9 Money-Saving Tips to Try This Week

Trying to save a little extra money this week?  Searching for easy ways to curb excess spending? Want to make your next paycheck last a little longer?   Well, look no further.  This week, I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to save money and cut spending.  The best part?  Every item on this list is quick and easy – you don’t have to block out an entire Sunday afternoon...

Three Creative Budget Ideas: Waterfalls, Envelopes, and Nicknamed Checking Accounts

Budgeting isn’t for everyone.  Yes, you read that right.  But let me explain.  What I really mean is, the standard budget – as in, the fussy, spreadsheet-style, track-every-penny type of budget – doesn’t work for everyone.  Fortunately, there are several budget options out there, and I try to make a point to keep up with the latest money-management and debt-repayment strategies.  Whether your money management plan is focused on...

Frugal Spending: Five Questions to Ask Before You Buy

There’s a misconception out there that “frugal living” is somehow synonymous with “deprivation” – that frugally-minded folks never spend a dime and always purchase the cheapest, bargain-bin option when they do find themselves forced to part with a few hard-earned dollars. It’s a misconception that I think turns a lot of people off.  After all, who wants to live in a constant state of self-denial?  People who are new...

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...