Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
People often reminisce about the good ol’ days but those times weren’t always that great. I don’t even remember when I walked into the local bank branch last, but here I was, waiting in line just to let the clerk process a deposit into my daughter’s savings account.
Was the place busy because it was the end of the year? Or is the branch always busy? There was a line for the tellers, every financial consultant was chatting with families, and there were even people waiting at the couches with their free coffee in hand.
Maybe they just needed a place to stay while the rain passed through? This has got to be the reason. After all, you can do pretty much everything online these days without any wait. I certainly wouldn’t have blaze the storm if I took the time to sign all those authorization forms to set up online banking for my daughter’s account.
I’m not really complaining though. I’m just grateful the virtual world allowed me to handle everything electronically and how the innovation propelled my finances higher because making the right moves is so more convenient these days. What do I mean? Let me tell you what I had to do before online banking came along. [ continue reading… ]
It should come as no surprise that losing weight and eating healthier sits at the top of Statistic Brain’s 2017 New Year’s Resolution survey results. Roughly 21.4 percent have made this one of our goals, and if the statistics remain true, about 9.2 percent of us will feel successful at following through come December.
Did you resolve to make your health more of a priority this coming year? How are you doing so far? Maybe you need a little motivation, and I’m here to provide that. While I won’t be holding you accountable to show up at the gym or purging your house of junk food, I can offer this incentive: getting healthier this year could mean more money back in your pocket. Here’s how. [ continue reading… ]
There’s talk that consumer credit card debt may set a record and potentially exceed $1 trillion this year. We already set another record, with the largest net increase in consumer debt since 2007 ($80 billion). Wow!
But should we see accumulating more credit card debt this year as inevitable? I, for one, don’t think so. Consider this advice for proving the prediction wrong – even if only on a personal level.
Face the music (or rather, the numbers).
Forcing yourself to look at what you owe on your credit cards and use interest payback calculators to reveal how much more you’ll spend before they’re paid off can be just the rude awakening you need. If you’re overwhelmed by the data, ask a friend who enjoys number-crunching to help you sort it out. It won’t be fun, but you’ll be more motivated to stop creating more debt and deal with what you have. [ continue reading… ]
Are you someone who avoids making resolutions because you know you’ll fail at following through with them? You’re not alone. A recent roundup of statistics shows that about 38 percent of us never make resolutions.
Although this approach may save some disappointment, the need to sell slightly-used workout gear online, or even some wishfully-invested financial resources, giving up entirely still won’t help you accomplish your goals – whether to improve your physical fitness, mental fitness, or fiscal fitness.
Even if it helps to ditch the negativity associated with making formal resolutions, the beginning of the year is a good time to start a new financial habit like budgeting, set a savings goal, or otherwise improve your fiscal fitness. It’s hard but not impossible to stick with these resolutions, and these tips can help. [ continue reading… ]
Gift cards make great presents for a number of reasons. If you still aren’t sure what to get for the special people in your life, gift cards make a good choice. Here are five reasons gift cards are the perfect gifts:
1. You Can Easily Stay on Budget
When you provide gift cards, it’s easier to stay on budget. You don’t have to worry about spending just a little bit more for something you see that would be “perfect” but outside your limit. With gift cards, you just decide on an amount and that’s it. It’s easier to keep to your budget because it’s sort of like having cash in your hand for a specific store. [ continue reading… ]
‘Tis the season of giving, and not just presents for loved ones and friends. Whether you’re picking up giftables or baking holiday treats, don’t forget to appreciate those who provide services and personal care for you all year long.
Although it might seem like our culture is becoming more narcissistic by the moment, a recent care.com survey indicates that 70% of American families plan to give between $100-$250 in special holiday tips. Of these, 41% budgeted for this giving, and 18% plan to give more than they did last year.
In some settings, tipping has become almost obligatory. For instance, many upscale restaurants automatically add a 15% gratuity to your bill now. Still, holiday tipping is a whole different situation. That same survey also shows that 85% of those who plan to give holiday tips are doing so out of a desire to express gratitude to those who provide consistently great care or services, while only 21% do so because it’s expected. This leads to my #1 tip for holiday tipping: make sure you’re giving from the heart. It’s not so much about how much you give, but the spirit behind it. With that in mind, let’s look at a few more practical guidelines for holiday tipping. [ continue reading… ]
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