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What is an Emergency Fund, FAQ

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Today I am explaining exactly what is an emergency fund and why you need one.

One of my most asked questions is, “What is an emergency fund?”  This is such an important question that I wish everyone would understand more.  An emergency fund is something that every single person needs and I want to help you understand how to get one.

I know that it’s not fun to plan for financial emergencies, it’s much more fun to plan for the fun expenses (like a new car or big house).

However, the truth is that nobody ever regrets having an emergency fund….but I know many who regret NOT having one.

This article is answering all of the most asked questions about emergency funds, so you can start making one for yourself.

Everything you need to know about Emergency Funds and why you need one today

What is an Emergency Fund?

Not sure what an emergency fund is?  It’s simple really.  An emergency fund is money you have saved and set aside to be used in the case of an emergency.

This is money that you won’t touch unless you really have to.  It should never be used for fun things, weekend vacations, etc.

Who Needs One?

Everyone needs an emergency fund (yes, everyone)!  It doesn’t matter if you earn a million dollars a year, or are deep in debt, you should have money saved for emergencies.  Don’t ever fall into the belief that an emergency won’t happen to you.  Emergencies can (and will) happen to anyone at any time.

The amount in the fund will look different to everyone, based on circumstances and needs, but the fact that we all need, one stays the same.

Why Do I Need An Emergency Fund?

You need an emergency fund because it gives you a safety net for any financial burden that might arise.  This could be a job loss, large medical costs, or unexpected home repairs.

If you already have planned ahead and saved money for these hard moments, have this money saved and set aside the burden will be lessened.  We have used our emergency fund multiples times!  We used it when my husband suddenly lost his job, when I had a medical emergency, and during an unexpected move.

Every time we have used money from this fund I have felt so grateful we had one it saved, but also developed the desire to save even more.  There is no better feeling than having money in the bank.  That form of safety is vital to me and our family.

When Should I Use Money From This Fund?

Deciding an appropriate time to use your emergency fund is very important.  This is your hard earned money and should only be used carefully and wisely.

Never use your fund for anything other than what it is meant for, an emergency!  Christmas gifts, traveling, and taxes are not an emergency, you should set up a sinking fund for these types of expenses.

When deciding if you should use your emergency fund ask yourself these questions:

  • Is it an Emergency?
  • Is it Unexpected?
  • Is it Necessary?

If you can answer yes to all three of these questions, than it is an appropriate time to use your emergency money.  If you answered No, than do not use it.  Instead come up with a different way to fund your expense.

What If I Feel Guilty?

I’m going to be honest with you, I really struggle using my emergency fund.  For some reason it makes me feel guilty.

If you’ve ever felt this way before, know that you are not alone.  If you are feeling guilty for wanting to use this money for emergencies, remind yourself that it is OK, this is what the fund is for!  You have been responsible in saving money, and it is ok to use this money when the time is right.  It is there to USE, when you need it.

But, be sure to replenish the fund after your emergency has passed.

How Much Money Do I Need Saved?

The amount of money needed for emergencies will vary from person to person.  A good rule of thumb is to have at least 6 months-1 year of living expenses set aside for emergencies.  This is quite a bit more than others recommend, but I would rather you have to much than not enough.

When my husband unexpectedly lost his job, people kept telling us he would find a new one in a few weeks.  7 long months went by before we were finally receiving a paycheck again.  Having that emergency fund in place brought us a lot of peace and comfort.  If we had only of saved for 3 months, we would have been even more stressed and in a bad place.

What are Living Expenses?

Wondering what exactly you should calculate when deciding on your living expenses?  Living expenses are the expenses that you need in order to live and survive.  These will include housing costs, utilities, food, clothing, insurance, gas, and any other basic needs.

You do not need to add extras such as traveling, eating out, etc.  If an emergency arises you will not be traveling, so there is no need to save for it.

Where Should I Keep This Fund?

An emergency fund needs to be kept in a place easy to get it.  This fund is liquid, meaning you can access it in short notice.

I prefer to keep our emergency fund in a savings account or money market account.  Whatever you do make sure you do not put this money in the stock market.

In Conclusion

I hope this article helped you to understand everything you need to know about emergency funds!  Let me know if you have any questions!  I am always here to help!

 

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The Best Cash Back Apps

By: Sweet Frugal Life5 Comments

Easy ways to earn cash back on purchases.

Who likes free money???  You better be raising your hand right now!  I LOVE free money, and I’m pretty sure you love it too!  And guess what!  You can earn FREE MONEY just by shopping how you normally would!  SAY WHAT?!?!  All it takes is a free app, a receipt, and a few clicks of a button.  This has been part of my shopping routine for YEARS and I have earned HUNDREDS of dollars on items I would have spent money on anyways.  Today, I want to share with you the best cash back apps so that you too can earn free money!  (you’re welcome)

How Do Cash Back Apps Work?

Cash back apps are essentially rebates given to you when you make qualifying purchases.  You buy a product, show proof of purchase by scanning your receipt into the app, and then are rewarded with a small amount of cash back.  (done and done!)

The apps are free to use and easy to learn.

earn money with cash back

I am a member of online affiliate programs.  I will receive compensation from clicks on my links.  All opinions are my own.  

Cash Back Apps Dos and Don’ts

I want to start with a word of caution.  I do believe that there is a right way and wrong way to use cash back apps.  When I first started using these apps I spent more money than I should have….because I wanted the cash back.  I bought items I never would have bought, just because they were on the app.  I quickly learned that I wasn’t using these rebate apps in the most frugal way.  Here are a few cash back apps dos and don’ts to help you get started.

Do:

  • Check each cash back app after every shopping trip.  You won’t always get cash back, but it’s worth checking!
  • Make your meal plan and shopping list BEFORE looking at the rebates offered on the app.
  • Use multiple cash back apps for each receipt.
  • Share the app with your friends (most will offer you extra cash for sharing the app with friends).

Don’t:

  • Buy something only because you could earn cash back from that purchase.
  • Download the app with good intentions and then forget to use it!  Always use it for best chances of cash back earnings!
  • Forget to cash out your earnings.  Every app will have different payout limits.  Don’t leave that money just sitting there, request the cash when the time is right, and use it!

Cash Back Apps Only Offer Name Brand Rebates:  FALSE

One of the common misconceptions of cash back apps is that it is only available for name brand products. 

This isn’t true.

Yes, there are many name brand products offered as rebates on all cash back apps.  But all of them also offer “any brand” items.  This means that you get money back for buying anything!  It doesn’t matter the brand!

One more word about name brand products.  A lot of name brand products go on sale regularly.  This is a GREAT time to buy something for a cheap price, and then use your cash back apps to get an even BIGGER discount.

So, just because there are a lot of name brand items on the app, does not mean it isn’t frugal.  It just means you need to be intentional with each and every purchase to make sure you are shopping smartly and frugally.

Cash Back Apps Only Offer Junk Food Rebates:  FALSE

Another common misconception of cash back apps is that they only offer rebates on junk food.

This is just not true.  Yes, there are a lot of processed food available as rebates within the app.

But, they also offer rebates on fresh foods and other items.  Today in my cash back apps I see rebates for body wash, laundry detergent, diapers, pet food, pork chops, walnuts, butter, and much more!

The Best Cash Back Apps

Now, let’s get to the apps!  Here are my favorite cash back apps that I use on a regular basis.  Most offer a cash bonus just for trying it out!  So it’s worth trying just to see if you like it or not!

1. Ibotta

The first cash back app I ever tried was Ibotta, it also happens to be one of my very favorites and most popular app out there.

Ibotta offers a huge selection of rebates.  I have earned cash back on a wide selection of products, including milk, apples, pantry staples, broccoli, beauty and household items.

One of my favorite things about Ibotta though is that they offer cash back on what they call “any brand” items.  For example, today they are having rebates on any brand of yogurt or diapers that you buy.  So you can buy your favorite brand, and get some money back at the same time.

Plus, they always offer a small cash back on “any item.”  So, I can buy anything in the store, and earn some money back.

Ibotta is super easy to use!

  • Just shop like you normally would.
  • Check the app for any rebates you earned.
  • Click on the qualifying items you purchased.
  • Scan your receipt.
  • Your cash back is instantly put into your Ibotta account.  Easy Peasy!

You can request your cash once you reach $20.  I usually get it deposited into my paypal account, but you can also redeem it for gift cards!

***Bonus:  Sign up for Ibotta using this link to get up to $20 bonus!

2.  Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is very similar to ibotta.  It works as a rebate program where you shop, scan your receipt and will instantly be rewarded cash back on qualifying purchases.  You can even scan the same receipt using both Checkout 51 and Ibotta (yaaay!). 

Checkout 51 does not offer a huge selection of cash back offers.  Because of this I don’t earn a lot of money with this app.  I still can earn a few bucks every month and it’s definitely worth my time to scan.

Once you reach $20 in your account you can request your cash back check.

3.  Rakuten

Another one of my very favorite cash back apps is Rakuten.  I use Rakuten every.single.time I shop online.

Rakuten offers you cashback when you shop through their link at participating realtors.  You will find just about all online stores including, Kohls, Ebay, Zulily, Old Navy, Gap, Lowes, etc.

This is also a great travel hack when booking flights or hotels.  Popular travel websites like Travelocity are also partners with Rakuten.  I never book any travel without first going to the Rakuten website.

It’s so easy to start earning money!

  • Download the free app (or use their website)
  • Search for the store you want to shop at
  • Click on the store link
  • You will then be redirected to that store
  • Shop as normal including checkout
  • After checkout a percentage of the amount you spent will be added to your Rakuten account

A check with your cashback is sent to you ever 3 months.  This is one of my fave pieces of mail!

The percentage of cashback you will earn will vary based on the store.  It changes frequently too, so it’s good to check often.

**BONUS:  Sign up through this link and you can earn an BONUS $30 after you spend your first $30.  (hooray!)

4.  Fetch Rewards

Probably the easiest cashback app is Fetch Rewards.   This app doesn’t technically give you cashback, but it does give you points that you can redeem for gift cards.  The gift card options are endless!  A few of my fave examples are Target, Amazon, Sephora, Best Buy, and a bunch of fun restaurants.

How it works:

  • Download the free Fetch Rewards app
  • Grocery shop like you normally do
  • Scan your receipt into the Fetch Rewards app
  • You will automatically be rewarded points based on what you bought.

One of the best things about Fetch Rewards is that you can start redeeming your gift cards at only $3, and it is so easy to earn that first $3.

5.  Upside

We all know gas is expensive right now, and many of us have been implementing some money saving hacks to save on gas. One of my favorite hacks for saving on gas, is to use the Upside cash back app!

All you have to do is download the app here and you will be able to see the gas offers in your area. Choose the offer you want, the offers I’ve received have been anywhere from 15 cents/gallon – 1 cent/gallon cashback. After you select the offer you want to redeem, just go fill up with gas and scan your receipt into the Upside app. It’s all really easy! I’ve been using it for about a year and have earned $50 cash back! Yay!

In Conclusion

If you aren’t using all 4 of these cash back apps now, I suggest you start ASAP!  The way I see it, if you are going to be shopping anyways….you might as well be earning a little cashback along the way!

 

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How To Stop Impulse Buying For Good

By: Sweet Frugal Life7 Comments

10 tips to help you stop impulse shopping today.

Let’s talk impulse shopping.  Truthfully??  This is something I have always struggled with.  Do I budget?  YEP!  Do I love to save money and watch my bank account grow?  ABSOLUTELY!  Yet, I STILL impulse shop!  (you win some and lose some right???)  A few years ago I made a few changes to help stop this bad habit.  Through time, and a lot of practice and fails, I have finally been able to control myself more at the store.  If you can relate to this, well you’re in luck!  Because today I am going to share a few tips to help you learn how to stop impulse buying.

secrets to stop impulse buying

1.  Admit you Have a Problem

The first step to quit this bad habit is to admit that you have a problem.  Many impulse shoppers try to rationalize their impulse buys.  These phrases sound a little like, “Oh, but it was on sale, so it was a smart buy,” or “It was something that we really needed anyway, so it wasn’t really an impulse buy.”

The truth is that these phrases are only excuses.  We make up excuses to hep ourselves feel better when we know we messed up!

The next time you buy something on impulse, admit to yourself what you did.  Don’t make up an excuse or explain the buy away.  Impulse shopping doesn’t make you a bad person, it makes you normal….but that doesn’t mean it’s what is best financially.

You must admit you have a problem, before you will ever be able to change.

2.  Recognize your Triggers

Now that you’ve admitted you might have an impulse shopping problem, it’s time to decide what your spending triggers are.

Is there a certain store that you leave buying more than you should have (this would be Target for me!).  Or maybe when you are feeling stressed you spend more than you want to.  Pay close attention to your spending habits and make a list of a few of the triggers that tempt you to shop.

3.  Find Alternatives To Shopping

The third step to curing impulse shopping is to find alternative activities to help keep you away from your spending triggers. 

If shopping at Target tempts you to overspend, shop at Walmart instead (this is what I had to do!!)

If you shop when you are feeling upset, find a different activity to help you work through those emotions.

If you follow a really cute, sweet blogger on Instagram, but her posts about darling clothes on sale make you want to spend money….unfollow her!

Do whatever it takes to find something to keep you away from your personal triggers.

4.  Leave the Cards at Home

Ditch your credit and debit cards and instead shop using cash.  This is the best way to make sure you don’t overspend.

Decide how much money you want to spend at the store, put that much money in an envelope and leave EVERYTHING else at home.

You will need to pay close attention to everything you put into your cart, because you literally can’t afford to buy anything that costs more than the cash in your wallet.

5.  Make a List

Never go to the store without a premade list in your hand.  Commit to buying what is on that list, and NOTHING else (even if you pass by the cutest shirt….and it’s on a huge discount….just keep on walking!).  This has saved me so many times!  For some reason if it’s written down, I am much better at sticking to my goals.

6.  48 Hour Rule

Give the 48 hour rule a try the next time you want to impulse buy.  It’s super easy!

Just set a dollar amount (mine is $50) and commit to waiting at least 48 hours before buying anything above that amount.

This will give you time to make sure you REALLY want this item.  Most of the time when I wait 48 hours, I tend to change my mind and realize that I didn’t need the item after all (funny how that works huh!).

The 48 hour rule also gives you time to shop around, and see if you can find a similar item at a cheaper price. 

When you wait to make a purchase you are giving yourself time to separate emotions from logic, or want vs. need.  This is so important when learning how to stop impulse buying.

7.  Give Yourself Splurge Money

Be sure to include “splurge money” in your budget.  Splurge money is money for you to spend however you WANT!  (yay!  I love splurge money!)

Your splurge money will give you that sweet little taste of freedom in spending.  This can help curb a lot of your spending temptations.

The amount you budget for splurge money will be different for everyone.  If you have a very tight budget, your splurge money should be a smaller amount.  If your budget has some wiggle room perhaps you could give yourself more money.  As always, do what’s best for YOU!

8.  Walk Around With Your Shopping Cart

This suggestion might seem a little silly, but it works for me!

Whenever I get tempted to impulse buy something not on my list, I grab it anyway and put it in my cart.  I don’t head right to checkout, but instead browse around the store for a while.

After 20 minutes or so, when it’s time to leave, I look at my cart and the items I stashed in there and ask myself, “should I really buy this?  Do I have money in my budget for this item?  Is it something I need?  Could I wait and budget for it later and come back and buy it?”

Because I gave myself that time to walk around with it in my cart, my voice of reason come back and I usually decide to put the items back where they belong.  Try it!

9.  Use a Spending Buddy

Find a friend who has similar financial goals as you and use each other as someone to talk to when tempted to impulse buy.

A few years ago I had a good friend who agreed to be my spending buddy.  Whenever I would find that one item I thought that I just HAD to have, I would call my friend.  I explained to her what I wanted and she would ask me the important questions about if I really needed it, could I find something cheaper, etc.  And, I would do the same for her in return.

My spending buddy was so great at helping me spend less.  And because I KNEW I would need to call her before I bought anything….it made me second guess my impulses, I only wanted to call her for important things!

10.  Forgive Yourself

This is one of my very most important tips!  We are all going to make mistakes, change is HARD…..and perfection is IMPOSSIBLE!

Remember to forgive yourself when you overspend and impulse buy.  Use these mistakes as an example to learn from.  Make a plan about how you will be do better next time, and then MOVE ON.

In Conclusion

If you are struggling with overspending and trying to figure out how to stop impulse buying, try out a few of these tips.  The most important thing is to remember to keep working at it.  You won’t cure your shopping problems over night, but through time, patience and effort you can form new habits.

 

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Remember to just say no the next time you are tempted to shop on impulse.

9 Best Books About Money For Beginners

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Books about Managing Your Money.

One of the things I most recommend to others who are trying to learn how to manage their money is to read more money books.  I have spent years studying and researching how to live frugally and I’m excited to share the best books about money for beginners with you!

About ten years ago I randomly stumbled across a few money books at the public library, I have always enjoyed self help books, so decided to bring one home with me.  I walked out of the library holding the Total Money Makeover  by Dave Ramsey and my life was forever changed.

I have always been somewhat frugal….but I didn’t ever have control of my money.

If I’m being honest……I used shopping as a hobby, I didn’t have a budget, I spent what we earned without a second thought, and I had no clear plans for a successful financial future.

After reading the Total Money Makeover my mindset completely shifted.  I realized what was possible, with enough self control, and how to prepare my family for a happy future.  This blog wouldn’t even exist with that book!

In the words of Dr.Seuss, “The more that you read the more things you will learn.  The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”  Reading is powerful!

If you are looking for encouragement, advice, or direction about money, “look in a book” (anyone else remember watching reading rainbow?).  Here are 9 of my very favorite money books!

 

Best Money Books

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1.   The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

 

Of course number one on my list is the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  As mentioned above, this book changed my life, and I believe it can change yours too!

Dave Ramsey does a fantastic job explaining exactly what you need to do to manage your money.  I love his straightforward real talk and easy to understand concepts.  If you are new to money management and have debt you are trying to pay off then this is the book for you!  It was written for the novice!

Be sure to check out Dave Ramseys website here for even more amazing info!

2.  Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

 

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki blew my mind, for reals!  This book will change your mindset about what it means to be rich and what it takes to become rich.

If you are looking for a book about how to be more frugal, this is not the book for you.  But, if you are looking for ways to be financially successful, to grow a business, and earn a higher income, this is the book for you.

3.  You Need a Budget by Jesse Mecham

 

I am obsessed with all things You Need a Budget!  Their budgeting program is my favorite thing ever, and this book has helped propel our finances forward.  I like to brag that I loved YNAB before YNAB was even cool….because I really have been with them since the very beginning!

In his easy to understand writing Jesse Mecham outlines four rules to financial success.  These rules will change your money mindset and help you understand the big picture of budgeting.

And, while we are on the subject, if you are looking for good budgeting software be sure to give the You Need a Budget website a look.  It does cost money to use, but it’s been worth it for me!

4.  The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

 

The Millionaire Next Door is one of the best books about money for beginners.  It debunks the myth that the only way to be wealthy is to be born into it or to earn an extremely high income.  This book explains exactly how everyone, no matter what they were born into, can become a millionaire.

It’s not easy and it takes planning and sacrifice, but it is possible!  I love the motivation that this book gives me to reach my dreams!  Anything is possible!

5.  Money Master the Game by Tony Robbins

 

Oh, I just love Tony Robbins.  He has such a great way with words and always motivates me.  In his book, Money Master the Game, Tony Robbins teaches his 7 steps to financial freedom.  It’s packed full with so many great tips and advice.

My favorite parts of this book is when Tony Robbins shares his knowledge about investing.  Investing can feel a little intimidating to the beginner (or is that just me….), but he teaches it in a way that is not only easy to understand but practical to implement.  After I read this book I felt like I could actually start investing with confidence!

6.  Complete Guide to Money by Dave Ramsey

 

Here is another amazing book from the great Dave Ramsey.  I like to think of the Complete Guide to Money as your guidebook for the popular baby steps taught in Total Money Makeover.

In the Complete Guide to Money Dave Ramsey gives you more detailed instructions about how to implement these baby steps into your life and see success.  The extra guidance really helped motivate me with each step.  This book truly brings you closer to financial peace.

7.  The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John C. Bogle

 

This is one of the very best books out there when it comes to learning investing.  In the Little Book of Common Sense Investing John C. Bogle teaches everything that you need to know to start investing in the stock market.

He uses a conservative, long term approach to give you the tools you need to start investing today.  If you have been wanting to start investing, but haven’t been sure where to start….start with this book!

8.  The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins

 

The Path to Wealth is one of my all time favorite books about money for beginners.  It covers all the personal finance topics from debt to investing and everything in between.   JL Collins writing is so easy to follow and fun to read, he makes money feel easy!  (which is not an easy thing to do).

This book is for you if you are new to personal finance and are looking for a good road map to get started.

9.  The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman

 

I just love Suze Orman, I know her style isn’t for everyone, but I truly enjoy her straight to the point method of teaching.

The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom teaches you more than just the personal finance basics, and that is why I love it so much!  Suze Orman teaches you to have a healthy relationship with your finances and helps you to understand your feelings and emotions attached with money.

There is more to smart spending and frugal living than knowing the numbers, and this book will help you understand just that!  If you struggle with emotional spending read this book!

In Conclusion

There are literally thousands of great money books for beginners out there.  Try to set a goal to read one or two of them each month.  I really think you will be surprised at just how great of a difference they will make in your life!

 

Related Articles:

What Are Sinking Funds? Everything you need to know!

What is an Emergency Fund, FAQ

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Best Personal Finance Books to Read

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