I tend to prioritize saving over earning more money. It’s worth noting *why* I do this. Obviously, if you have a big mountain of debt to move, the best way to move the needle is to make more money. However, we don’t have an income problem so much as a spending problem. Or at least, … [Read more…]
One last big money move of the year. I was going to say decade, but I decided to take a little pressure off you. Pressure off me? It’s your money, Penny. I know that’s what you’re thinking. It is my money, and ultimately, it’s my decision. But like most things in life on this blog, … [Read more…]
Confession time, fam. I keep busting our budget. The whole thing doesn’t go up in flames, but category after category, month after month, I keep going over budget. So as I scrolled through the spreadsheet last month, I found myself wondering if this is lifestyle inflation at its undiagnosed finest…or do I need to adjust … [Read more…]
Senior year of high school, one of my friends convinced me to watch House of 1,000 Corpses. No one could believe I hadn’t seen it in theaters (for the three whole days it was there?), so we rented it. From Blockbuster. I had long survived The Blair Witch Project and The Ring. Recently, I had … [Read more…]
Do you watch the register and check your receipts when you’re checking out at the store? Usually, I pay close attention…but when I’m shopping with a toddler, my focus is a little lackluster. Mostly because I’m trying to apprehend him before he puts every bag of M&Ms he can find on the conveyor belt. Thanks … [Read more…]
OK, fine. Worry isn’t the right word. But I am *thinking* about Christmas in July. And if you celebrate that holiday or have any other big end-of-year plans, you should probably be thinking about it, too. Why? Because if you plan far enough in advance, it can be painless and, dare I say, enjoyable. In … [Read more…]
“But what’s the point of not really buying anything all the time if we don’t do this?” A comment my husband made while we were mapping out our summer plans stopped me in my tracks. Once again, I forgot the why of frugality. We were knee deep in the middle of ideas–literally. Our dining room … [Read more…]
I used to confess this money secret pretty regularly, but I haven’t made mention of it for a while. I don’t track our net worth. Famously. Infamously. Stupidly. While it’s a rationale that’s probably complicated enough to merit a whole post, the short answer is that net worth doesn’t mean much to us right now. … [Read more…]
Kids are really expensive. But what if you can get cheap toys? Cheap toys when they’re babies, toddlers, and kids. OK, never mind cheap. What if you learn how to get free toys? Kids are expensive anyway. But that doesn’t mean that learning how to score toys for less isn’t important. It is. In fact, it’s become … [Read more…]
Imagine your only option for a retirement plan option is terrible. I don’t mean something trivial like having to use Fidelity instead of Vanguard. I’m not even talking about having your preferred index fund or ETF. What would you do if your 403b option was truly terrible? Asking for a friend. Well, actually, I’m asking … [Read more…]