We all learn differently. Some learn best through the visual world; some thrive on a spoken word. Then there are others who enjoy parables or fables that weave a life lesson into a tapestry of story. Since you are kind enough to grace this blog post with your presence today, I have a hunch that you read books, too. I also have a hunch
5 Apps That Track Your Spending
Recently, I wrote about several apps that pay you money. Now I’m back to talk about apps that track your spending. Before I delve into the list, I think it’s important to distinguish the difference between tracking your money and budgeting your money. I used to think they were one in the same. Anything was better than winging it. That may be true, but I don’t believe a
What Is Wrong with Gary Busey?…Nothing, Really.
You may have asked yourself, “What is wrong with Gary Busey?” Perhaps you heard about his near-fatal motorcycle accident or his drug overdose or that he declared bankruptcy in 2012. On the surface, you may see a man with deep, physical and mental struggles. What you’re really seeing is a man who fought to overcome some of the most difficult chapters of his life, rose
Why a Season of Extreme Frugality Can Change Your Life
There once was a couple with a small income and big dreams. Most of those dreams revolved around the dream of having a family. They got married and danced down the aisle, hand in hand. Money was tight during those early years. Soon, a baby was on the way. With debts to pay and hospital bills waiting around the corner, extreme frugality became the name of
Jumpstart Your Finances with a Printable Monthly Budget Worksheet
Do we all agree that a budget is important? Nodding your head gets you one point. Do you agree that it’s difficult sometimes? Two points. Jumping on board with a printable monthly budget worksheet from the following list gets you 50 points. That’s because even if you know in your head that tracking your money is important, it’s much harder to live it out. In
5 Ways to Chop Debt by the Hundreds This Month
Are you paying monthly payments that make your eyes cross and you just wish you could chop debt faster? If you’re interested in making a good chunk of change this month, then here is a brief list of ways to make that happen. First, let’s cover some ways I wouldn’t recommend you find cash fast. Don’t make a cash advance on your credit card. Not everyone
What to Do When Credit Card Spending Seems out of Control
A growing economy needs domestic spending to sustain it. In the years of the recession spending fell as unemployment levels rose. The USA has emerged from that recession with unemployment levels back to normal, halved from the peak when the grip was at its highest. Inevitably part of the recovery has been due to improving statistics that has increased consumer optimism. The problem however is
How We Paid Off $22,000 and Became Debt-Free in 22 Months
Please welcome Laura to the blog as she shares her journey toward debt freedom. My name is Laura Harris and I am a recovering sloppy spender. “Hi, Laura,” you all say. Thank you. So kind. Five years ago, I was engaged to the love of my life, wallowing in debt, embarrassed by my dwindling savings account, and anxious about our future. Twenty-two radical months later,
How to Maintain Good Credit
This post is a contributed post from USA.gov. See their Financial Self-Defense Kit for advice on how to build financial confidence as well as safeguard your finances. “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” — Benjamin Franklin Your credit history is your financial reputation. And just like your professional and personal reputations, your credit history takes
Why Your Credit Score Matters
I’ve seen quite a few articles lately on why you shouldn’t care about your credit score. The authors state that if you just altogether ban debt from your life that your credit score is an arbitrary number that just doesn’t matter. But it just isn’t so. While I’m definitely on the anti-debt (except for the mortgage) bandwagon I think it’s completely ridiculous to not care