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Five Signs that You Are Living Beyond Your Means

You could be living beyond your means and not realize it. Why is this a problem? Well, when we live beyond our means, we can quickly run up debt. This debt can snowball until it becomes hard to manage, a real crisis. That is why it is so important to recognize the early warning signs and make the changes that are necessary to get your finances back on track. Sometimes it seems as though you are supporting your lifestyle and don’t have a problem paying for anything. After all, your credit cards aren’t being turned down at the store, and … Continue reading →

Can You Afford That?

When you go to make a purchase, how often do you ask yourself whether you can afford it? Now, I don’t mean whether you actually physically have a method of paying for it such as cash or a credit card, because being able to truly afford something goes beyond the simple question of whether there is enough money in your wallet, checking account, or available credit limit to make the purchase today. Believe it or not, even for small purchases this is a very important question – one that I wish I had asked myself a lot more often in … Continue reading →

Insurance Blog Week in Review – January 15-21, 2012

News about insurance related issues moves pretty fast. Every week, there are fourteen different posts on the Families.com Insurance Blog. You may have overlooked, or missed, something that you really would have liked to read. The Insurance Blog Week in Review can help you “ketchup”. The ASPCA Sells Pet Insurance Do you need affordable pet insurance? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has some options for you. The Insurance Podcast Roundup for the week went up on January 16, 2012. Insurers Say Sleep Lab Tests Are Overprescribed More doctors are prescribing an overnight stay at … Continue reading →

Are Student Loans Really Good Debt?

For as long as I can remember, I have heard people referring to student loans as “good debt”. I even believed it myself for a while, until I came to the end of my educational journey and stepped out into the real world. While I do not regret the years that I spent earning my J.D., I am certainly not a believer in this whole “student loans are good debt” concept any more. For the concept of “student loans are good debt” to work properly for an individual, a few things must happen. First of all, you must actually complete … Continue reading →

Planning for a Frugal Retirement

I used to think about retirement as a time when you get to live luxuriously and spend all of the money that you spend so many years saving. As my dad got closer to retirement I got scared because I knew that he had not saved alot of money. I knew that he had spent all of his money on us, his kids. I wanted him to come live with my so that I could give him a comfortable retirement. He wanted not part of this. Instead he chose to live frugally and he is very comfortable and happy in … Continue reading →

Second Grade is Too Young to Become a Hairdresser

Warning: Rant follows. Aaargggh! There, I feel better now. Sort of. What is it, you ask? Well, the short answer is…my mother. I know that’s not terribly original. I don’t even have that much to complain about. My mother really loves my kids. And even though she sends me newspaper clippings on tragic accidents that can happen to children when their parents aren’t careful, I know (though my husband may not believe it) how many times she restrains herself. So what happened? I was the one who started out worrying this time. My mother is a retired teacher. She specialized … Continue reading →

Should You Borrow as Much as You Can?

When it comes to taking out a loan for your house or for a car, the bank will give you an amount that they are willing to loan you. Many people mistakenly think that banks would not risk giving you too much money, and go ahead and borrow the entire amount. Too often these people later find themselves in a pinch as expenses rise or their job situation changes. Here are three areas to look at when it comes to borrowing money for expensive purchases. 1) The first area you should look at is how much can you really afford. … Continue reading →

What Should You Do When You Get a Raise?

Every time you get a raise, there is a little thrill as you consider what you can do with all of that extra money. Depending on the size of your raise—cost of living versus a new job or promotion—you need to consider how much it really will affect your finances. So often people just increase their spending to match the amount of money they are making, and so do not reap the benefits that you could otherwise. If you are able to make ends meet on your current salary here are three tips of what you can do with that … Continue reading →

Do you Need a Budget if you’re not Strapped for Cash?

The day I found out I was pregnant with my first child, my mind started racing with all sorts of plans and thoughts. Of course, one on my main concerns involved money and the costs associated with a new baby. I also strongly desired to quit my job, take an extended leave, or work part-time as a new mom. I wasn’t sure what my options actually were, so I immediately began to analyze our finances. I have to admit, I had never had a budget before this time. Amazing all the ways becoming a parent changes you! Immediately I began … Continue reading →

Do Your Spending Habits Reflect Your Financial Priorities?

Do your spending habits reflect your priorities? This is a tricky question to ask yourself, because you may be surprised at what you find. It will take some moments of personal reflection and honesty. Hopefully your priorities are truly governing your spending habits. This leads to a peaceful life. First you need to sit down and decide what your financial priorities are. These will vary for everyone, but some common ones are to get out of debt, save for retirement, and pay for your children’s college education. You may want to write down three or four major priorities. Next you … Continue reading →