How to Budget With Sinking Funds: Your Complete Guide to the Most Asked Questions
A few months ago my husband and I were able to go on a trip to New York City. It was a trip of a lifetime and we had the time of our lives! I am frequently asked how we save for travel and other large expenses. My secret?? Sinking Funds! Do you use sinking funds in your budget?? If you don’t use them yet, I strongly suggest beginning immediately! They have enabled me to save up for the things we want, and the things we need; and they allow me to enjoy spending GUILT FREE. I’ve realized recently that a lot of people don’t even know what a sinking…
How to Cut Your Budget; When There is Nothing Left to Cut
I get a lot of comments and messages on Instagram; and a few of them just break my little heart! These messages are from those that feel they have done every single thing they can think of to find extra money in their budget, but there is just nothing left to find. These people have cut ALL unnecessary spending, only paying the bare minimum to live and they STILL can’t find any extra money in the budget. If you can relate to this in any way; I want you to know that I hear you. Financial stress is one of the scariest and hardest things to go through. This article…
Overspending Triggers and Solutions
I’ve been thinking a lot about my spending habits. Some days are really awesome days; when I am keeping to my budget, spending wisely, and stashing lots of money away into savings……. But then, I have moments where I S.T.R.U.G.G.L.E. I shop impulsively. I buy things without consulting the budget. I develop a “I need it so I get to have it” mindset. Does ANYONE else have this happen???? Of course I know this behavior is wrong. I ALWAYS know that I shouldn’t be buying “x,y, and z.” Yet, I ignore that small voice of reason and just keep on spending. I have learned that these overspending urges are usually…
10 Tips to Stop Impulse Shopping
Let’s talk impulse shopping. I have always struggled with impulse shopping and am constantly trying to work on this. Do I budget? YEP! Do I love to save money and watch my bank account grow! ABSOLUTELY! Yet, I have always struggled with buying things on impulse. So, here are a few of my 10 top tips that has personally helped me stop the urge to impulse shop. 10 Tips to Stop Impulse Shopping 1. Admit you Have a Problem The first step to curing impulse shopping is to admit you have a problem. I have gone through so many times of rationalizing my impulse spending. I would use phrases like, “Oh,…
Why we Cut the Cable and NEVER looked back!
“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ” I am a member of online affiliate programs. I may be compensated for purchases made from links on my site. I remember telling my friends that, “I could never live without my DVR!” I loved having my DVR and being able to record shows whenever I wanted and watch them whenever I wanted. I loved skipping through commercials and I really could never imagine myself going back to life…
What we cut from our budget to save over $2500 a year
“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” I am not naturally a frugal person. I was raised by two frugal parents, but I lean more towards wanting to shop and buy all of the pretty things (I’m looking at YOU Target). It has been a huge learning process for me to become more frugal and to realize the value and beauty in cutting back and saving money. Learning my new frugal lifestyle has been over the course of years, and quite honestly, I’m still trying…
The Envelope Money System: A Beginners Guide
About a year ago I changed the way I was spending money. I decided to quit using my debit card for purchases and try only using cash. I’ll be honest, I did not think this change would make much of a difference. I am a little bit prideful and a lot of stubborn and I really felt that I was strong enough to spend smartly with my debit card. It only took one month of paying with cash to realize that I was so so wrong! I couldn’t believe how quickly my wad of cash depleted. It was a huge wake up call as I watched my cash fly out…
