There’s an incredible amount of pressure to transform yourself at the start of a new year. Or at least develop a plan to launch the transformation process. You know what, friends? I don’t have that kind of plan. In fact, I find the whole idea of having to create a new me overwhelming and, quite … [Read more…]
Don’t be a Scrooge. Shockingly, this might be the one thing you read today that has nothing to do with the holidays. While Scrooge’s bad behaviors juxtapose most dramatically with Christmastime, it’s safe to say that he was a miser all year. Which is exactly what this post is about. It’s no secret that the … [Read more…]
Peanut butter and jelly. I eat it every day for lunch. After a recent interview on the FIRE Drill Podcast, that seemed to be the sound bite that stood out to most people. I could practically hear people’s sighs laiden with pity. Rather than write an ode about that the deliciousness of that simple sandwich … [Read more…]
It’s Friday! And it’s the first Friday of the month. A long month. If you’re like me, that means there is an automatic money win built into this magical month. (If you’re retired, well, that’s a whole different money win, isn’t it?) It’s a three-paycheck month for me! Woohoo! With back-to-school time just around the … [Read more…]
Every Thursday, I drive through my neighborhood absolutely mesmerized by the heaps of trash and recycle that line both sides of the street. Flat screen TV boxes. Old media stands. Towers of single-use water bottles. For nearly three years, I have worked furiously to minimize what sits in front of our house. In fact, I … [Read more…]
Chocolate or vanilla? Cake or ice cream? Beach or mountains? Either/or questions might have their place when it comes to icebreakers or dating profiles, but they have also become incredibly pervasive in personal finance. Pay down debt or invest? Grow your income or cut expenses? Donate time or donate money? Focus on little leaks or … [Read more…]
With #GivingTuesday right around the corner, thinking of others is likely to be at the forefront of many people’s minds. Unfortunately, the timing of Giving Tuesday and other holiday donations don’t always jive with people’s budgets time of year. While I would—and do—argue that everyone should include charitable giving in their budgets year round, it … [Read more…]
Normally, year-end posts are all about numbers. Consumer debt reductions. Mortgage payoffs. Portfolio numbers. Net worth increases. And my last post about paying off $27,000 worth of debt was no exception. But to round out the year, I wanted to highlight one of the few goals that I actually kept that made me most happy. … [Read more…]
Ms. Montana from Montana Money Adventures is on the blog today sharing her take on the best money spent series. Last week, a good money test was spending in ways that gets you more bang for your buck. This week, Ms. Montana has a new way to determine your best money spent: the 2x test.
“Oh, dear. Bread and beer. If I were rich, I wouldn’t be here.” My grandma used to singsong this jingle when I was little. I would eagerly ask her where she would be. She was always quick to lock her fingers in mine and return a reminder that we could go wherever I wanted. Now … [Read more…]