Gym memberships are one of the most expensive exercise options, especially if you’re one of the many people that purchase a monthly membership on a steal of a deal sale and never attend the gym. When I’ll go next week becomes the regular mantra, your gym membership is getting too expensive, so it’s time to cancel it and try something else. Here are a few
4 Ways I Save Money With a Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness can be expensive! On average, people with chronic diseases spend around $6,000 on healthcare annually. I’m no stranger to these costs—I’ve been dealing with a chronic illness called dysautonomia since I was a teenager. I was also recently diagnosed with ADHD. Over the years, I’ve learned several ways to save money on essential medications and supplements. I’ve also saved money
3 Ways to Avoid Stealth Inflation
Recently I learned about a phenomenon called stealth inflation. It’s a type of inflation that happens when businesses add fees to their products and services to help maintain their profit margins. Resort fees at hotels and service fees on food delivery orders are two examples of stealth inflation. It’s estimated that Americans pay $65 billion in fees every year. So learning how to spot and
How Romanticizing Your Life Can Save You Money
If you have a TikTok account, you’ve probably come across a trend called romanticizing your life, which is a form of mindfulness. It involves trying to find joy in the mundanity of your daily routine. For example, instead of gulping down your coffee as you rush out the door, you could romanticize your morning cup of joe by taking the time to savor it. I
How Being a Homebody Saves Me Money
I’ve always been an introvert, but the pandemic turned me into a total homebody. I thought that once the threat of COVID-19 passed and the world returned to normal, I’d enjoy going out more frequently. But truth be told, these days I don’t leave the house much more than I did during the pandemic. Once or twice a week, I run errands. Sometimes I grab
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.
4 Frugal Ways to Beat The Winter Blues
Now that the holidays are over, many of us are probably feeling the winter blues setting in—I know I am! Where I live in rural Michigan, we still have several months of winter to go and many dark, snowy days ahead of us. I’m not much of a winter sports person, so I spend most of the winter season inside. Being cooped up in the
5 Ways to Recover From Holiday Overspending
Today I learned the third Monday in January is called “Blue Monday” because that’s when we get the bills from our holiday spending. If you opened up your credit card statement and were surprised at how much you owed, this article is for you. It’s easy to get carried away and spend too much money on Christmas gifts. A recent survey showed that more than
3 Tips to Help You Keep Your Financial Resolutions
The beginning of a new year is a great time to analyze your finances and set new money goals. About 65% of Americans are planning on making a financial New Year’s resolution for 2023. Setting resolutions is relatively easy, but seeing them through to completion can be extremely difficult. Statistically, only about 9% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions. How can you ensure you
Why I Have High-Deductible Health Insurance
Health insurance is a huge expense for many Americans. In 2020, the average premium cost for an individual ACA plan was $456 per month. Families paid about $1,152 per month for coverage, which is almost as much as my mortgage on a 3-bedroom house! It’s no wonder that half of adults in the US say they have trouble affording medical care. As a young couple