The end of the year is approaching, which always causes me to reflect on my finances. Lately I’ve been thinking about mistakes I’ve made with my money in 2023 and things I want to do differently going forward. Even as a personal finance writer, I still make financial blunders sometimes and waste my money. Here are four spending habits I regret that I plan to
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
How To Avoid Going Over Your Budget
Although nearly 75% of Americans have a budget, many of us stray from our financial plans and give into overspending. About 85% of people say they deviate from their budget sometimes and make unplanned splurges. Going over your budget can make it more difficult to save money and achieve your financial goals, so it’s important to reign in your impulse spending. Here are some strategies
How Therapy Has Improved My Finances
Recently I read an article about how therapy can improve your finances, and I definitely agree. Although therapy itself can be expensive, getting treatment for your mental health condition can free you up to focus on your financial situation. When you’re dealing with depression or anxiety, you don’t have much mental energy to devote to money management. Just getting through the day is tough, let
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
Why You Should Avoid The Soft Life Trend
If you’ve been on TikTok or other social media platforms lately, you’ve probably heard of the soft life trend. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, it’s a new lifestyle movement that involves rejecting hustle culture and embracing a slow-paced life full of self-care. While this sounds nice in theory, following soft life influencers and trying to emulate their lifestyle could wreak havoc
4 Ways To Avoid Breaking The Bank On Black Friday
Thanksgiving and Black Friday mark the beginning of the holiday season, which is an expensive time of year for many Americans. In 2021, 36% of consumers went into debt for Christmas and racked up an average balance of $1,249. However, you can buck this trend and enjoy a more frugal festive season this year by following the tips below. Here are four of the strategies
How Does Your Love Language Affect Your Finances?
Figuring out your love language can help improve your relationships by making you feel more connected to your loved ones. But have you ever considered how your love language may be affecting your finances? According to author and counselor Gary Chapman, there are five different types of love languages that dictate how we prefer to give and receive love: Words of affirmation Physical touch Acts
Is Social Media Bad For Your Finances?
Like most other millennials, I’m an avid social media user. My favorite social media sites are Reddit, YouTube, and TikTok, which I just discovered a month ago and haven’t been able to put down since. I’ve been scrolling through TikTok for an hour before bed and have mainly watched interior design clips. I’ve noticed that consuming lots of decorating content on TikTok has made me
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