edge of a cliff
One of the scariest financial situations to be in is living paycheck to paycheck. Unfortunately, too many people are in this predicament. According to a study done by LendingClub and PYMNTS.com, 64% of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. What’s even more surprising is that almost half of Americans who earn more than $100,000 live this way as well. It’s a difficult situation to be in, especially when you have a family to support. It can also be mighty tough to get out of this rut.

Having savings to fall back on in case of emergency is important to everyone, which is why living paycheck to paycheck can be so dangerous. Any unexpected expenses can really complicate your life and create long term problems that make it more and more difficult for you to dig out of this hole. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, consider these seven tips to help you get on the right course:
[ continue reading… ]

how to buy happiness

We’ve all heard that “money can’t buy happiness,” and by now many of us are aware of a recent study that showed that, when you earn more than $75,000 a year your levels of happiness don’t increase very much.

While you probably won’t find lasting happiness based entirely on how much money you manage to amass, the way you spend your money can contribute a great deal to the amount of happiness and enjoyment you get out of life.

Here are 4 ways you can use your money to get a little more out of life:
[ continue reading… ]

kids parties

Sometimes, throwing a kid’s birthday party can be a real pain. You have to prepare a bunch of food for your guests, entertain a house full of kids, and pull it all together with a little style.

It can be expensive and stressful — but it doesn’t have to be!

Here are five tips for throwing an awesome kids birthday party on the cheap:

[ continue reading… ]

You’ve been dating for six months now, and it’s feeling right. He gives you butterflies when he walks into the room. You think he could be “the one.”

The problem is that you’ve been withholding some information from him.

You’re not sure if you should even be bringing up such a topic so early on in a relationship – and quite frankly, this secret has the potential to make your new love interest run for the hills.

You have $90,000 in student loan debt and $45,000 in credit card debt. You’re not quite sure what his financial situation is, or if yours will scare him away. What do you do?
[ continue reading… ]

creating financial goals

You’re constantly falling off the bandwagon when it comes to reaching your financial goals. They seem so big that you’ll never reach them, and you just can’t remain focused.

Sound familiar?

Over the past couple months, I haven’t been my usual highly-motivated self. Instead of working ahead and paying attention to my bottom line, I’ve been slacking. Recently, I realized why.

These last two months of chaos have lacked structured goals, so I’m essentially wandering aimlessly in the dark. The good news?  My two months of zero progress have reinforced my belief that setting financial goals is vital to success.

If you’re new to setting financial goals, here are three tips that will help: [ continue reading… ]

cheap maternity clothes

As I enter my fifth month of pregnancy with my second baby, the inevitable is happening. Fewer clothes are fitting and, for me, expensive new maternity clothes aren’t an option.

It’s hard to pay $30-40 for a dress I’ll only wear for five or six months. Of course, you could wear it longer — but most moms, like myself, want to get out of maternity clothes as soon as possible.

A lot of women suggest just buying bigger or plus-size clothing, which may work for some of you — but I think these tend to make you look bigger. Also, if you buy your clothes used at Goodwill, maternity items are around the same price.

Here are a few tips for saving money on maternity clothes, which I’ll be implementing in the next few months:

[ continue reading… ]