Almost five years ago, I had a net worth of negative $23K, $200 in savings, and ample amounts of credit card debt. Fast-forward to now and you’ll find a far different financial picture: A net worth of over $130K, $87K in savings, and $0 in credit card debt. Plus, I own my first home, and [...]
Do You Suffer from Financial Burnout?
By 9 Comments
You’ve made your budget, you’ve set your goals, and you’ve made sure to track your spending. You have a retirement account (or two), are building a substantial emergency fund, and make sure to adjust your investment strategies as necessary. You’ve even gone as far as always paying yourself first while simultaneously knocking down/out any debt [...]
Money: What Does it Really Mean to You?
By 12 Comments
There are so many times when we think, “Make more, earn more, have more.” But do we ever really take the time to think about what money really means to us? While I was growing up, money was extremely tight. In other words, if it didn’t fit into the “need it to live” budget, you [...]
Dating on a Dime: 11 Frugal Ideas to Keep the Romance Alive
By 17 Comments
Money and romance. Why is it that our society seems to be clueless about the former and starved for the latter? Why is it that the moment these two topics are combined, the result can sometimes be as gut-jarring as a breakup? I believe it’s partly due to our society’s warped perspective that in order [...]
Being Frugal Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Have Fun!
By 14 Comments
Recently, I made a few life-changing decisions that have necessitated a significant reduction in my day-to-day expenses. While I navigate these new waters and figure out how I’d like to best deal with a unique set of financial circumstances, I’ll be adhering to what I refer to as an “incredibly frugal lifestyle.” But does this [...]
Emergency Funds: How Much Do You Really Need?
By 26 Comments
Freedom Fund. The “Oops” Account. A “Rainy Day” Fund. The “$h-t Hit the Fan” Account. However you refer to it, having an emergency fund is critical to anyone’s long-term financial well-being. In a pinch, an emergency fund is a safety net that can help you avoid taking on unnecessary debt, help you weather a financial [...]
First-Time Home Buying 101
By 5 Comments
It’s official: Mortgage rates have again hit an all-time low. With rates falling and inventory levels building, there’s never been a better time to buy your first home. There are a lot of good deals out there, but you need to make sure that you know what you’re doing so that you don’t overpay or [...]
The College Freshman’s Guide to Money Management
By 8 Comments
It’s finally here: The summer before your first year of college. As one chapter of your life closes and another begins to take root, it’s a prime opportunity to instill sound money management–and set yourself up for a lifetime of financial stability. As you decide which courses to take, start to find your textbooks, and [...]
5 Steps Towards Post-College Financial Bliss
By 8 Comments
Over my past few posts, I’ve highlighted key transitions that have financial ramifications in any college graduate’s life: The job search and managing life in your first apartment. Today, I will round out this series with some tips on how you can help solidify a strong financial foundation for years to come. Even if you [...]
Living Well on a Dime: The Post-College Apartment Financial Plan
By 11 Comments
Now that you’ve finished your course requirements, graduated, and have set off on your first post-college job search, it’s time to consider your finances while living on your own. In the midst of the graduation excitement and ideas of absolute freedom as you set off to chart your own course in life, it’s easy to [...]
A College Grad’s Guide to the Job Search
By 5 Comments
For many college students, this month and the next mark a momentous occasion: Graduation. Congratulations! You’ve studied hard, passed your exams, and have turned in the final papers of your undergraduate career. While you’re reveling in the hard-earned celebration surrounding you, make sure to keep a keen eye on your job search efforts because the [...]
Interesting Ways to Boost Your Bottom Line
By 8 Comments
What do you do if you find yourself at the end of the month and falling short of your financial goals? You could find ways to cut back your spending, but what if you’ve already cut your budget to the bare minimum? An easy solution is to make more money. Instead of the standard routes [...]
When Renting is Better than Buying
By 6 Comments
Last week, I wrote about why it’s not always a bad thing to spend more money on some purchases. When pointing out the benefits of investing in quality products that you’ll use over and over again, it’s easy to see why you should fork over a few extra pennies for purchases such as footwear, cars, [...]
Spending More Money: It’s Not Always a Bad Thing!
By 12 Comments
We’ve heard it many times before: Save, save, and save some more. Save enough that it hurts. Save today for a better tomorrow. A penny saved is a penny earned. But when is it wise not to save? When should we pay extra for the things we’re buying? Depending on who you ask, the answer [...]
8 Ways to “Spend” Your Tax Refund Wisely
By 6 Comments
If you’re one of the 80% of taxpayers who will be receiving a tax refund this year, chances are you’re debating what to do with the money (you can find out when you should expect to receive your tax refund). Rather than spend the money frivolously, why not use it to boost your bottom line? [...]
Arguments and Money: Communication is Key
By 3 Comments
How many times have you had an argument with a friend, family member, or significant other about money? Most likely, you’ve had your fair share–and you’re not alone. Research has shown that financial burdens impact relationships at all levels of the socioeconomic spectrum and that finances are a prime source of disagreements. So whether you’re [...]
The Tangled Web of Money and Emotions
By 4 Comments
If you had to write “If I only had more [----], my life would be so much better” on a piece of paper and ask your friends to fill in the blank, what do you think they would say? Chances are most people would write the word ‘money‘. Similarly, if you were to ask people [...]
