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Reevaluating your Budget

If you are having trouble stretching your paycheck each month or simply want to save for an expensive new luxury item, the key to your solution is to reevaluate your budget. For most items in your budget, there is the ability to flux and shift. One easy solution is to first separate all budget items that have the option for the most adjustment. You may be surprised by some of these, but in my experience the following budget items have some room for a change: *Automotive Gas *Automotive Insurance *Charitable Giving *Clothing *Food *Gifts *Grooming *Misc *Entertainment *Vacations Then there … Continue reading →

Fitness Week in Review for October 6-12, 2008

Whether you live in a major metropolitan area or in Smallsville, USA these tough economic times have likely put a major dent in your budget. For some it has meant reevaluating whether a gym membership is really worth the hit to the wallet. This week the Fitness blog provided tips on how to make your fitness dollar stretch during these troubling times. We also covered ways to keep your stomach from stretching beyond what your “fat” pants will allow, and how to stretch your free time to fit in a decent workout. October 6th—–Exercise Challenges: Big City, Little Income. Don’t … Continue reading →

Saving on Summer Travel—It is Possible Part 2

Are considering putting the brakes on your family’s summer vacation because you simply can’t afford it? You aren’t alone. Millions of families are reevaluating their annual summer getaways thanks to the exorbitant cost of fuel and the sky-high price of air travel. But the news is not all bad. There is a silver lining in the gray cloud of summer travel. Some hotels across the country are offering amazing savings to help lure cash strapped families to their lodgings. You might have to pay more to get there, but at least you will be saving once you arrive. Take a … Continue reading →

Money Week in Review August 13 – August 19

Are you considering a large purchase that you hope will actually help you make or save money in the long run? This may be a hybrid car or an energy efficient appliance. Whatever you have in mind, Miriam provides some important considerations before you make this leap. Read Will that Big Ticket Item Really Save You Money? before you head out shopping. Having financial goals is the key to success in money. Let Miriam’s article on Financial Priorities walk you through some thoughtful steps to determine exactly what your individual goals actually are. Once you have determined these specific goals, … Continue reading →

Can You Afford to Go Back to Work?

Many of you know that I’m a stay at home mom. Freelance writing (and blogging here) is our second income and while it doesn’t pay as much as I got paid while I was working, it pays enough to pay for our kids’ classes and curriculum materials for homeschooling. I also understand that many women choose to go back to work after a baby because they don’t want to lose their position in their career. But I often hear women talk about how they have to go to work because they simply need the second income. With that said, this … Continue reading →

Does my age shape my spending?

How do your money priorities change as you get older? As a teenager we want to buy a car, get out on our own, maybe pay for college. Later in life we want to buy a home, and pay off college debts. How should we change our budgets as our needs change? Obviously as a young person, you’ll spend more on home ownership, raising a family, and ‘toys’. As you get older, you will be more concerned with college expenses for your children, your aged parents, and your own retirement. We still want to buy toys, (bikes, skis, snowshoes and … Continue reading →