I don’t know about you but I always find it interesting to compare my spending to that of average Americans. I usually feel better knowing that I’m spending far less considering the lack of basic financial principles in the U.S. One statistic you might be surprised to learn is that the average spent on an engagement ring in 2014 was $5,855 according to The Knot.
5 Best Free Educational Resources for Elementary Aged Kids
One of my favorite things to keep my kids busy during the summer is learning activities. At ages six and seven both of my kids very much enjoy anything with an educational spin and are already missing school dearly. Because of this we now have a go-to list of frugal and free educational resources for elementary aged kids. Here are our favorites. Education.com Education.com is
3 Downsides to Investing in the Stock Market
I have come to terms with the fact that when it comes to the stock market I’m not an all-in kind of person. I know many people who have built their fortunes in the stock market and who have created financial independence at a young age because of their investments. So while this post isn’t meant to discourage anyone from investing their money in stocks
How to Organize Your Finances
Organization saves me in so many ways. When I’m unorganized I can’t think clearly, things go missing and I feel like I’m living in chaos. When I choose to take a proactive approach and come up with systems, it’s unbelievable how much better I feel, how much smoother my days go and how much money I save. If you’re looking for ways to get organized
How to Easily Prevent Lifestyle Inflation
Have you ever heard of lifestyle inflation? If not, it’s the theory that as you earn more money you spend that extra money without even realizing it. You grow accustomed to having that extra cash each month and as your income goes up your lifestyle inflates accordingly. Lifestyle inflation is a real thing and it’s pretty tricky. If you’re getting ready to get a big
7 Small Financial Changes You Can Make That Have a Big Impact
Overhauling your personal finances can feel pretty overwhelming, especially if you’re starting at ground zero. Luckily, you don’t have to overhaul your finances to get big, lasting changes. Here are seven small financial changes you can make that have a big impact. Tracking Your Spending Tracking your spending is the number one thing you can do to bring a better awareness to your personal finances.
Inexpensive Ways to Decorate Your Home
Here lately my energy to work on my house has suddenly reappeared. Over the long weekend I painted two rooms and then headed upstairs to a bathroom that hasn’t been used or touched since we bought the house, right around one year ago. The changes I’ve been making lately have been super inexpensive but have made all the difference in how my house looks and
3 Easiest Ways for Young Adults to Start Investing
Unfortunately investing (or anything personal finance related) isn’t taught in schools. This can make investing seem intimidating for young adults. I know, because it wasn’t too long ago that I felt the same way. Investing is actually quite simple. If you’re looking for easy ways to get started here are some simple ideas. # 1 – Set it and Forget with Index Funds Index funds
The Power of Being Broke
I’ve worked hard at growing my savings account over the past couple of years and have finally gotten to a place where I am was extremely comfortable. And then I found out that a house repair was going to cost twice as much as I thought and drain all of my extra cash savings (except for my emergency fund.) Now I’m feeling (and acting) like
5 Reasons I Buy Used
Much of the items you’ll find in my house are used. A good 90% of my furniture is used, my clothes are (mostly) secondhand, a lot of my kitchen paraphernalia is handed down from my mother in law and my vehicles are used. I have no shame when it comes to buying used. Here are five reasons why. It Costs Less Let’s start with the