How many times have you purchased a cheap product that broke just a few months later? Inexpensive, mass-produced items may seem like a good deal when you first buy them. But the difference in quality is obvious once you get them home and start using them. Instead of buying low-cost items that fall apart, it may be better to follow the ‘buy once, cry once’
Why I Stopped Using Credit Cards
Many credit cards offer great perks like cash back, travel discounts, and interest-free introductory periods. For a long time, I put as many of my expenses as I could on my credit card to get rewards. But when I paid off my credit card each month, I was often surprised by the balance I’d run up. I’ve always been able to pay off my credit
5 Signs You’re Financially Stable
According to a recent survey, about 40% of Americans feel behind when it comes to meeting life and financial milestones. About 13% of people feel behind on retirement savings, 10% wish they were more financially stable, and 8% want to own a house. However, even if you haven’t achieved all your financial goals yet, you’re probably doing better than you think. The internet makes it
4 Reasons Why Financial Flexibility Is Important
Financial flexibility is one of the most important skills, especially in uncertain economic times. Life may not always turn out the way you expect, forcing you to reevaluate your financial plans. If you’re unwilling to adjust your budget and money management strategies as your circumstances change, you could get into debt or fail to achieve your goals. Here are four reasons why being financially flexible
4 Ways To Be Proactive With Your Money
When it comes to finances, many people take a reactive approach instead of a proactive one. About 70% of Americans don’t usually follow a budget and only save whatever’s left over at the end of the month. Failing to budget and make a plan for your money can make it difficult to save for emergencies and financial goals such as buying a home. If you
5 Luxuries I Used To Think Were Necessities
As a personal finance writer, my opinions about money and budgeting are always evolving. I read a lot of financial blogs and watch videos about saving money in my free time. Recently, I’ve become interested in no spend challenges. I participated in No Buy January and ended up loving the challenge so much that I want to continue through at least the end of February.
My Favorite Personal Finance TV Shows
Believe it or not, you can learn a lot about personal finance just by relaxing and watching TV! Personal finance TV shows can teach you about budgeting, paying off debt, and investing in real estate from the comfort of your own couch. These shows may feel like entertainment, but you’ll absorb a ton of valuable knowledge that will help you make better financial decisions. Here
3 Reddit Personal Finance Communities You Need To Join
Before I joined Reddit personal finance communities, I was pretty clueless about money. My parents didn’t teach me much about finances, so I didn’t understand the importance of building credit or saving for the future. And sadly, that’s all too common—only 4 in 7 Americans are financially literate, and about 75% of millennials don’t understand basic financial concepts. Luckily I came across financial forums like
Why I Don’t Use Budgeting Apps and Prefer Paper and Pen
Many people swear by paid budgeting software like You Need a Budget. They say YNAB helped them get in control of their finances and save thousands of dollars, so it’s worth the cost. But I can’t justify spending money on budgeting software, no matter how many useful features it has. Budgeting is all about eliminating unnecessary expenses and saving more money for the future. So
How I Save Money By Making Wish Lists
Every year before Christmas, my parents would ask me to write a list of things I wanted so they could give it to Santa. I was always surprised and delighted to see a few items from that list under the tree on Christmas morning. But I usually didn’t get everything I wanted, which taught me to be patient. If I was really pining for something