Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
I had a difficult decision to make while reading my emails recently. Not showing it to my son would save him some disappointment, but making him aware of it could be an invaluable financial lesson.
My son is saving his money to buy a new monitor for his gaming computer, but he is currently getting by with an old monitor that we had sitting around. He’s shopped around and determined that $300 is about how much he’d have to spend to get a monitor with the features he’s looking for.
The email I received was from a popular online computer parts retailer. They were advertising a 27-inch 1440p monitor, which regularly sold for $299, on sale for $219. Even better, after using a promo code, the final price of the monitor would be $199.
The problem? He didn’t have enough funds to take advantage of a great sale.
He did have $140, but he could’ve had more if he’d made different choices with his money over the past two months. I specifically remember him buying an online game for $70, as well as a new music album through iTunes within the last week.
I invested in a well known technology company about a year and a half ago. I’ve checked the value of my investment at the beginning of each month since, and except for one month, it has lost value every time. Maybe I’m in state of denial since it’s such a well known company that continues to make popular products. I keep thinking that it will eventually turn a corner and increase in value, but when do I say enough is enough? When should I cut my losses and reinvest my money elsewhere?
The reason many people hold on to investments too long is there’s a common belief that all stocks eventually bounce back. When a person looks at the historical graph of the stock market, there may be some bumps but it generally increases over time. The big caveat though is that the markets are an average of successful stocks. While most companies increase shareholder value, certain individual stocks lose value never to return to their previous highs.
Here are three questions that could help you decide whether it’s time to sell that consistent loser in your investment portfolio: [ continue reading… ]
The holiday season is one of the busiest traveling seasons of the year. Not only are many traveling to visit families but they’re also making use of leftover vacation days and planning getaways. While you may be busy planning your itinerary and deciding what to pack, don’t forget one of the most important items on your vacation prep list: securing your money.
Being a tourist in an unfamiliar city makes you susceptible to fraud and theft. Whenever you’re away from home, you need to take the necessary precautions to make sure your wallet, money, and important documents are safe. You don’t want them to get into the wrong hands. Take a look at these five tips to keeping your money secure while traveling: [ continue reading… ]
Earlier this year, my husband received an unusual letter from his credit card company. He had not used his card in two years, and the bank alerted him that he had two months to make a purchase on the card, or else it would be cancelled.
This particular card, which he’s carried for over 15 years, has gotten dusty because we share a Upromise reward credit card that we use for all of our spending. We pay that card off monthly, and have no other need for credit.
At first I thought there was no need to keep an unused card around. We didn’t need it, and it was just one more thing to keep track of. But when I looked into the consequences of losing such a long-term piece of my husband’s credit history, I realized that keeping the account open was the smart thing to do.
Here’s what you need to know about canceling your unused credit cards and how it can affect your credit score.
Many of us try to think of ways to make extra income anytime we are aiming to reach a financial goal. There are so many ways to ‘side hustle’ online these days, from freelance writing to selling used items. Earning more on top of your full time salary is entirely possible, but it’s only one small piece of your financial puzzle.
Reaching your financial goals isn’t only about making more money. It’s also about spending your existing income more wisely. And just bringing your coffee to work every day may not cut it either. Having optimal financial health can sometimes require larger lifestyle changes. Consider these four impactful life changes that can help improve your finances: [ continue reading… ]
Let’s face it – financial status or habits rarely determine who you’d ask out (or who to accept) on a date. But should you continue onto the second date if the potential partner is a spendrift? There will be many clues about a person’s financial situation and how they handle money as early as the first date. Your reaction to these clues will depend on your financial beliefs and habits, but early consideration of what they might imply will help you determine if a date is financially compatible before you get entangled in a relationship. How you react to the following financial clues could determine your financial future, so pay attention. [ continue reading… ]
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