A perennial question in the world of personal finances. While it’s true that cutting back on some of life’s simple pleasures can add up to decent savings, maybe applying the same effort to larger items would have more impact. Some of the “Big Stuff” you might consider: Raising deductibles on insurance premiums, refinancing your mortgage… Continue reading Focus on the Latte Factor? Or Sweat the Big Stuff?
Category: Money Behaviors
Great Grocery Savings Strategies Anyone Can Use
Extreme couponing isn’t for everyone; thankfully, there are other ways to save money on groceries. Some suggestions from Financial Highway: Shop ethnic markets; spices and seasonings are especially well priced here. Reduce your animal protein and stock up on lentils, garbanzo beans and peanut butter; better for your health and your wallet. Buying generic and… Continue reading Great Grocery Savings Strategies Anyone Can Use
Just Pick One: Choosing a Bookkeeping System
Financial Therapist Bari Tessler Linden offers some pros and cons about popular bookkeeping systems, and reminds us about some of the stumbling blocks we can face when choosing. She believes we can over think the decision and that we often run into emotional issues in the process. Some reminders that apply to any system: important… Continue reading Just Pick One: Choosing a Bookkeeping System
How One Small Decision Saved Me
Like dominoes, one decision can start an unstoppable process. Blogger Jill Chivers shares the story of a recent dilemma while driving by a shopping mall. Remembering she was out of her favorite tea, Chivers thought about stopping in for some. Being in a difficult emotional place at the time, she realized she wouldn’t just stop… Continue reading How One Small Decision Saved Me
If you must use a credit card…some tips for doing so wisely!
In accordance with the American Bankers’ Association, the average American household has $8000 in credit card debt. With credit cards, there’s always the possibility of spending more money than you have. Even if you make your payments on time, if you are merely paying the minimum amount, it may take a decade or more to… Continue reading If you must use a credit card…some tips for doing so wisely!
Why Do We Enable People to Spend Money While Shopping?
“Former Shopaholic” Erica reflects on her habit of encouraging friends and family to spend money when they’re shopping together. She says, “We end up justifying purchases together…” Trying to analyze why she and her friends do this, she wonders if she’s living vicariously through her friend’s purchases. Or, is she secretly wanting to sabotage them… Continue reading Why Do We Enable People to Spend Money While Shopping?
Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion
By Lexi McGlade In an eye-opening novel entitled, Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline, the consequences of “fast fashion” are considered. Fast fashion is a term used to acknowledge the rapidity with which trends move from the runway into stores in accordance with the latest style. Cline interweaves personal… Continue reading Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion
The Truth About Bargain Shopping
“Remember: it’s only a bargain if you needed it in the first place, otherwise it’s a waste.” Live Simply by Annie’s author reminds shoppers of the pitfalls of sales, which include the marketing professionals who know exactly what it takes to make us whip out our credit cards. She discusses the chemical changes that occur… Continue reading The Truth About Bargain Shopping
5 Things Your Credit Card Issuer WANTS You To Do
You may be surprised to find out that your bad credit habits are exactly what your credit issuers want. Carrying a balance may be convenient for you, but the interest you pay is where credit card companies make their money and you start sinking into debt. Paying the minimum amount due means you’re paying mostly… Continue reading 5 Things Your Credit Card Issuer WANTS You To Do
Self-Worth to Net Worth: 12 Keys to Creating Wealth Inside and Out
This wise and comprehensive book begs to be read—and digested—very slowly. In it, Cia Ricco and Belinda Rosenblum have managed to make important and highly sophisticated psychological concepts very, very accessible. From the get-go, they emphasize the importance of personal responsibility, going so far as to ask the reader to sign an agreement to further… Continue reading Self-Worth to Net Worth: 12 Keys to Creating Wealth Inside and Out