Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
As someone who has rented an apartment for a long time, I didn’t think I needed renters insurance. It seemed like an unnecessary expense to add to my budget. After all, as a self-proclaimed minimalist, I don’t have a lot of “stuff” so I never saw the value in it.
It wasn’t until a few months ago that I finally woke up from my ignorance. A friend had her computer stolen and the first thing people asked her was, “Do you have renters insurance?”. She didn’t.
To make matters worse, she was still making payments on it! My heart went into the pit of my stomach hearing her tell me that story.
I thought if something happened to my computer – whether it be theft or damage – I’d be in pretty bad shape. I currently work as a full-time writer and speaker, and my computer is a major source of my income. Not having my laptop would put my livelihood is serious jeopardy until I can replace my machine. [ continue reading… ]
Now that my son is 14 and getting ready for a driver’s permit, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about buying a car. (Yes, you read that right. In Idaho, you are eligible for a permit at 14 and a license at 15.)
It’s a few years since I’ve bought a car; I tend to buy something late model that I like and then drive it for as long as possible.
As I get ready to move forward with a vehicle for my son, here’s how I’m preparing to make the decision: [ continue reading… ]
There are some financial mistakes we tend to make more than others and sometimes we may not even realize we are making them. I’ve made many myself over the years and it’s pretty embarrassing but I’ll share my biggest financial mistake.
A few years ago, as a young and financially-dumb 23-year old, I left my first big-girl job. While I was there, I had been investing in a 401k. To be quite honest, I really had no idea what a 401k was at the time other than a way to save money for retirement. After I left, I decided to withdraw all the money in my 401k, which incurred me a hefty penalty (more than 30% of the balance in fact). My only excuse? Financial stupidity!
Don’t let something like this happen to you. Financial mistakes like these are all too common. And when they happen, they are costly.
I’ve compiled a list of five of the most common financial mistakes so that you can hopefully avoid them.
I’ve never been one to budget every last cent, and I’ve never been on a spending diet. Most of the time, I’m content to make sure my goals are being met each month and then I spend whatever’s left.
Lately, though, I’ve noticed my old habit of just buying something because I can is creeping up. I mostly stay away from impulse purchases, but when I look back over my spending for the month, I see that they are making something of a comeback.
So I’m trying something new. I’m trying the waiting period. So far, I like it.
What is a Spending Waiting Period?
The idea behind a spending waiting period is to avoid buying something until after a pre-determined amount of time has passed. You might impose a 14 day period on yourself, or decide to aim for a 30 day waiting period. I’ve instituted a 21 day waiting period because three weeks seems like a long enough time for me to cool off on whatever it is I have a burning desire to buy. Before I make a purchase, I wait 21 days and if I still feel like the purchase is a good idea, I’ll go ahead and pull the trigger.
So far, I’ve managed to avoid pretty much any unnecessary spending for the month. [ continue reading… ]
If you’ve ever hosted a wedding of your own or even attended a wedding, you definitely know how much it can potentially cost. From venues to flowers to photography, the expenses add up quickly. And considering that it’s only one day of your life, the cost of a wedding can be very daunting.
Luckily, eloping isn’t the only solution to the problem. While weddings can get really expensive, there are ways to cut back without sacrificing the experience for you or your guests. Being strategic about how you stick to your budget can significantly impact your costs in a good way. Here are 11 tips to help you save on your wedding day: [ continue reading… ]
I’ve been getting out of my comfort zone more lately.
As someone on the introvert end of the scale, it’s sometimes difficult for me to get out there and meet people. Additionally, I’m somewhat risk-averse when it comes to my money.
However, I’m learning about the importance of taking risks with my life and with my money these days. I’m not talking about big, stupid risks, but smaller, calculated risks. If you want to move forward and thrive, sometimes a risk or two is necessary. [ continue reading… ]
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