Now that the holiday season is in full swing, it’s time to make your Xmas travel plans if you haven’t already. This is the first time I’ve had to travel home for Christmas, so I’m trying to figure out how to get there without breaking the bank. Gas and plane tickets are both more expensive than they were last year. A gallon of gas costs about
How to Reduce Food Waste and Save on Groceries
Food waste happens to the best of us. It’s easy to forget about leftovers at the back of the fridge, causing them to spoil before you can eat them. Throwing out one head of lettuce or package of meat every now and then isn’t a big deal. But if you waste multiple food items each week, the cost can really add up. In fact, the
Why I’m Saving Up for Solar Panels
A couple months ago I wrote a blog post about how I’m not making any cosmetic updates to my 1970s house. But one home upgrade I plan to make as soon as I can afford it is adding solar panels to my roof—and I’m not alone. According to a recent survey by Pew, most Americans say they’ve seriously considered buying solar panels or have already
Top 5 Culprits of High Utility Bills
You turn off the lights when you leave a room, shut your air conditioner off if you’re not home, and try to conserve water. So why are your utility bills so high? Even if you use energy responsibly, these common culprits of high utility bills can still drain your bank account. Here are five hidden causes of expensive power bills and what you can do
How I’m Coping With Rising Inflation
If you’ve noticed that you’re spending more than ever on gas and groceries, you’re not alone. Over the past year, consumer prices have increased by 5.4%. Annual inflation usually sits at around 2%, so this is a big change for all of our budgets. Although wages have been increasing in many industries due to labor shortages, experts say that they may not be rising fast
4 Ways Adopting a Minimalist Lifestyle Will Improve Your Finances
A lot of people get minimalism wrong – thinking that they have to get rid of everything they own. But that’s really not the truth. In a gist minimalism is eliminating things from your life that don’t serve a purpose or bring you happiness. These aren’t just material items either. They can be negative people in your life or something such as a soul-sucking job.
4 Budgeting Tips for Your First Apartment
Moving into your first apartment is an exciting time in your life. You’re striking out on your own and getting a space that’s all yours. But renting and budgeting for a first apartment is a big financial responsibility, and there are lots of hidden costs you may not think about. It’s important to plan and save for all of those expenses so you don’t end
5 Financial Benefits of Being a One Car Family
Although becoming a one car family isn’t possible for everyone, if you can manage it, you’ll save a ton of money. Owning one vehicle is expensive, let alone two or three. Between maintenance and insurance, your spare car could be costing you hundreds of dollars per month. If you could save that money or use it to pay down your debt instead, you’d be able
How I Avoid Lifestyle Creep
As your income increases, it’s natural for your spending to go up. But when you secure a big promotion, it’s important not to let your purchasing habits get out of control. If you loosen your belt too much, you might end up neglecting your other financial goals like saving for retirement. To help you avoid lifestyle creep, here are four of my best tips. Save
How to Create Generational Wealth
Everyone wants to provide for their family and create generational wealth to give their kids the best chance of success. But if you don’t have a six-figure salary, how can you build a big enough nest egg to give your children a leg up in life? According to a recent survey, 33% of millionaires never made six figures during any year of their entire career.









