Checking accounts are a must for modern life, but not all checking accounts are made the same. I was recently asked what someone should look for when seeking out a new bank. There’s a lot to consider when looking for a checking account, so let’s dive into what you should look for when you’re hunting […]
How to Budget
Budgets are a necessary part of your personal finances. They only seem like a four letter word. Many people cringe when they think about looking at all of their bills, or seeing all their debt in one place. However, budgeting gives you something you wouldn’t expect–freedom from worry and peace of mind that you can […]
3 Steps to Make An Emergency Fund
Turn on any financial news show and the host, say a Suze Orman or a Carmen Wong Ulrich, will mention an emergency fund. It’s always stressed that your emergency fund (aka the EF) should be 3-6 months expenses. Based on savings rates in the US few people have even a few weeks expenses set […]
How to Tame the Paperwork
The start of a new year is the perfect time to declutter your finances, and get all your paperwork organized. You can get all your year-end docs ready, and file your taxes early (get your money sooner! or at least know what you owe), and start the year fresh. After reading about Stephanie’s piles of […]
How to do the To Do List
A lot of people marvel at how much I do. Since it’s not as much or even as hard as what some people deal with on a day-to-day basis, I don’t think of it as extraordinary. That said, I do have a few ways I utilize my time well, and one of them is my […]
How to Host a Sweet Swap
I attended my new favorite Holiday Party this year. A Sweet Swap. It was organized by a friend who did a fabulous job of sending out invites, getting everyone to RSVP on time, and getting us to tell her what we were making. She hosted and fed us yummy soup, bread and salad along with […]
How To Plan A Frugal Birthday Party
Throwing a birthday party can be an expensive endeavor but with a little planning it doesn’t have to be. Local birthday venues start at around $200 for a simple no frills birthday, and with 4 kids with cold weather birthdays that can add up fast! Instead we host frugal birthday parties at home, and use […]