Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
Since they played a large part in the financial crisis, banks have come under scrutiny lately. A bailout was enacted to try to get some banks back on their feet, which rightfully angered the general public.
The truth is that most people need banks. If you don’t want to use a bank or a credit union, your options for saving and storing money are limited. My fiancée and I wanted to combine our finances last year, and we had to decide on a bank. Here’s what criteria we considered. [ continue reading… ]
Every so often, I stop and take stock of my financial situation by double-checking where my money is going. I don’t have an exact spending plan down on paper; my style involves making sure all the important stuff (mortgage payments, Roth IRA contributions, insurance, emergency fund, groceries, bills, etc.) is covered, and then I pretty much spend until the rest of the money is gone for the month.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t review my expenses occasionally. I also look at my spending and decide whether or not I could increase certain contributions. If I’m going to do this, it means that I need to re-evaluate my monthly income and spending, and make sure I have the resources available to change things up a bit. Recently, I wanted to bring my Roth IRA contributions up to the max, so I had to look at what was happening with my spending.
Upon first review, I thought everything was great. But, when my new, higher contribution came out of the account the following month, I was dismayed that there didn’t seem to be quite as much left over as I thought there should be.
You’ve got plenty of ideas for businesses, and you’ve been ready to get them out there for a while now. Unfortunately, like many people, you have money issues. These money issues are preventing you from reaching your dreams.
Your idea to make the adorable rubber necklaces that every kid aged 7-10 won’t be able to ignore will earn you heaps – you just know it!
But you can’t fashion these necklaces from thin air. So what do you do? Save until you can make them, toss the idea altogether, or perhaps look for a partner to help you?
The term annuity can sound almost quaint — like the financial strategy of a little old lady in an Agatha Christie novel. And because these retirement products are sold through insurance companies, it can be somewhat difficult to understand the pros and cons of annuities in the midst of a sales pitch.
While it’s possible for a deferred fixed annuity to be a reasonable financial strategy for some modern retirees, there are plenty of downsides to be aware of.
Here’s what you need to know about deferred fixed annuities before you decide if they’re the right financial product for you. [ continue reading… ]
I’m a die-hard media consumer. For me, the Internet is a never-ending source of information on any topic that catches my interest. But I also love to read books, magazines, and newspapers and have a soft spot for apps and music.
My husband’s a movie lover. He’ll watch just about anything once, even if it looks like it cost $100 to make and is subtitled in English. The movies he loves, he’ll watch dozens of times.
For our family, media consumption has the potential to be a real budget buster. If you’re a media consumer, here are a few tips to help you save some cash while feeding your need. [ continue reading… ]
My fiancée and I are trying to plan for our future, which can be difficult when it comes to transportation. Cars are costly to run and often have mechanical issues that lead to more expenses. While my fiancée drives a newer car, my car is old and will need to be replaced within the next few years.
Leasing is an option, as is buying a used car. Both have advantages and disadvantages, which makes choosing which way to go a tough decision. There really is no right answer.
Leasing: The Safer Choice?
Similar to renting versus buying a home, leasing a car is paying for the use of the vehicle. The downside is that your payments are accumulating no value. However, leasers usually make a down payment for the car and have the option to buy for the depreciated value at the end of the lease term. The nice part about leasing is that if the car has any mechanical issues, you won’t be on the hook for the payment. You can also just hand over the keys after your lease term is up to avoid any further hassle.
The biggest danger with leases, though, is that the smaller upfront and monthly costs allow drivers to get a more expensive car than they can afford to buy. If my fiancée and I lease a car, we’ll have to keep in mind where we’ll be living. Lease terms include a certain number of miles a year, so we’d have to pay extra if we go over the set amount. [ continue reading… ]
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