The difference between defining something as a need or a want can mean the difference between a blown budget or a healthy savings account. These terms seem so simple and easy to understand, but all too often, we blur the lines. When you say you “need” something, it should mean that you literally can’t continue […]
We can all agree that living paycheck-to-paycheck is not an ideal situation. And it’s just as obvious that individuals doing this still need to save their money and build a financial cushion so they can finally feel secure. Unfortunately, the basic rules of saving money are simple but not easy — particularly if you’re already […]
Do you know someone who has sworn off Valentine’s Day? There seems to be a growing movement urging us to skip the holiday altogether. Opponents call it a retail holiday and say we don’t need a special day to show love to our significant other. While I agree that we don’t need a special day […]
You can’t always control how much money you make, or how big of a year end bonus you’ll get. But when it comes to your everyday finances, there’s actually a lot you can do to save more. One of the most frequent questions we hear is, “How much should I be saving every month?” And […]
Do you want to be more frugal, but have a tough time developing new habits? The concept of frugality is simple: look for ways to cut costs, go for quality items you’ll use a lot, and be smart with your resources. The hard part of adopting a more frugal life? Sticking with the process. It […]
The power steering hummed with each corner I took while my wife and I were out shopping before the holidays. It had become a common occurrence, especially when the Minnesota winter temps dropped into the single digits. Most likely, the power steering pump needs to be replaced — a repair that would cost us several […]
