Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
Many of us dream of owning our own hot tub one day. They’re a symbol of luxury, something that’s usually found in hotels, spas, or gyms. I used to be one of those dreamers, and about 10 years ago that dream became a reality.
Just a few days after Valentine’s day we had our brand new hot tub delivered. My wife and I were excited as we anxiously awaited the tub to be filled, and the water to be hot enough for us to jump in for the very first time.
But if you’re not careful, buying a hot tub can be a huge time and money waster. As we quickly found out, owning a hot tub was much more expensive than we thought.
Buying a hot tub is a lot like buying a car. There are almost infinite brands and models to choose from, all in varying price ranges. If you’re thinking of buying a hot tub of your own, the spending doesn’t stop the day your new jetted tub of relaxation is delivered.
Here are six hidden expenses that come with being a hot tub owner: [ continue reading… ]
Recently, I’ve been trying to phase out some of the big box stores where I can, and instead shop locally. Why? Because shopping locally has some great benefits.
Firstly, you’re putting money back into your own community and promoting local job growth. Secondly, you might be keeping a small, family owned business from the brink of bankruptcy. And lastly, you’re most likely getting a higher quality item.
The problem with shopping locally is that it can sometimes be more expensive. The bigger companies have the power to outsource their manufacturing overseas, buy in larger quantities, and get better prices. Local businesses don’t have these kinds of resources or power at their disposal.
It can be impossible to shop locally for everything, but with these 3 smart moves you can support your local economy and save yourself some money. Here’s how!
We all make money mistakes, but some bad financial moves seem to be more characteristic of women. I’m sure there are plenty of male-specific money mistakes too, but as a woman, I can probably write better about my own gender. So here they are – money mistakes that women tend to make.
Spending Too Much On Clothes and Shoes
If you’ve read my previous posts on this blog, you already know I believe that Women Should Save More, and Spend Less on Designer Shoes. It’s not that looking good or being fashionable are not important – it’s just that it’s absolutely possible to look great on a budget, and buying into the “you must spend ridiculous amounts of money on clothes or you won’t get a promotion” theory is, in my opinion, a big mistake. [ continue reading… ]
One of the questions that often pop into my inbox is “When is it appropriate to spend my money?”
When people ask, they often want someone to give them a general answer that will solve their problem. They want a step by step guide because they want to splurge but don’t want to jeopardize their retirement.
Sadly, there is no cookie-cutter answer since every situation is different, but what I can do is try to guide you to make the right decision in case you are wondering about this.
I was born and raised in New York City. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, the bustling city is really all I’ve ever known. Spending $15 on a movie ticket or $5 on a latte has always seemed very normal to me. Since becoming an adult and being on my own, the high cost of living in this city has definitely become very apparent to me though. Many say it’s a city where dreams are made, but living in New York can be challenging, especially as a young 20-something starting out.
I get this question a lot: how can I afford to live in New York City? From the surface, living in this city on an entry-level salary seems almost impossible. The average monthly rent in NYC is over $4,500, a sum that’s more than what many young professionals make. So what gives? If you’ve always dreamed of living in New York, you definitely can but be prepared to make some sacrifices. Here are 5 tips to help you afford living in New York City: [ continue reading… ]
As a kid I hated hand-me-downs. You know, the clothes, toys, or shoes that your older siblings would get brand new, but you’d receive after they outgrew them?
Every pair of jeans seemed to have a whole in the knee, every shirt had something on the front that I would have never picked out, and every toy was beaten up and faded. Don’t get me wrong, I received my share of new things, but there was also a steady stream of hand-me-downs from my older brother. I just didn’t understand why my parents wouldn’t buy all new stuff for me.
As an adult, my view of hand-me-downs has completely changed. I’m constantly scanning the side of the road for items with a “TAKE ME” sign propped up next to them. I’m the guy whose ears perk up when someone mentions they’re trying to declutter their home.
As a grown up, my love for hand-me-downs stems from the simple fact that the price is usually free. And no one is ever too old for free stuff, right?
Here are a couple of my favorite not-so-brand-new items that I’ve gotten my hands on in the last few years. Who says adults can’t use hand-me-downs too?
Free signup to get a free ebook on How to Save Money on Everything! Constantly expanding, it will be the biggest money saving ebook available, and it's FREE! →
(I hate spam and promise that your information will never be shared.)
