Tag: budget

  • Birthday Parties on a Budget

    Birthdays can be one of the days of the year that we let frugality go out the window! Of course, I’m all for going all out and having fun. We always spend a little extra to make it special on my kids’ birthdays. But, I also have found some ways to cut some corners that…

  • Raising Thankful Kids

    November is here, which means Thanksgiving is right around the corner. This time of year for a lot of kids means making Christmas lists, being bombarded with toys, candy, and gifts from relatives and friends. All of the commercialization of the holidays leads our kids to believe the holidays are all about them! As my…

  • Budgeting for Maximum Happiness

    Recently I read a book that really challenged my thinking about my needs and desires. The book suggested an activity where both spouses make a list of 10 things that make them the happiest on a weekly basis. If a weekly basis is too narrow, you can open it up to a month. However, the…

  • Inflation-Proof Your Budget

    We’ve all felt it these last few years. Inflation. It’s becoming one of my least favorite and yet somehow, often used words. I remember when my grocery, all household products, baby products, and eating out budget used to be just $500 for a family of 5. Gone are those days. It seems like everything at…

  • Retraining Your Brain

    If you’ve ever done a weight loss program, you know that retraining your brain is the most important step to achieving your goals. In finance, the same is true. Knowing your triggers for overspending and then coming up with practical solutions to avoid or minimize them is key to future financial success. To achieve your…

  • Buying a House

    Buying a house will more than likely be your greatest-dollar purchase you ever make! From looking at houses to moving into your new home and everything in between, the process can feel like too much. Here is some advice to help first-time home buyers in this crazy market. Set Your Budget I actually have a…

  • Frugal and Quick Meals for Families

    As a mom of 4 growing kids, nutrition is important for our family. My husband and I are trying to make sure we expose our kids to lots of healthy and nutritious food options so when they get to make the decision for themselves someday, they’ll want to enjoy vegetables on their own. I often…

  • How to Save with Kids

    Trying to give, save, invest, and make the most of your time with your kids can feel as overwhelming as it sounds. How can one possibly save money while raising kids? It seems like there are never-ending expenses: diapers, clothes, activities, school fees, food, entertainment, etc. These are just the day-to-day expenses and don’t even…

  • Buying a Car

    Chances are, buying a car will be the second biggest purchase you ever make. Besides buying a house, cars are one of the most expensive things we own, unless you have a hobby that requires expensive equipment. Sifting through pictures of cars and descriptions online can feel overwhelming. Showing up at a dealership with your…

  • Why we use a Credit Card

    There’s a lot of debate in the financial world on the topic of credit cards. Some people are in the camp that any debt is bad debt and should be avoided at all costs. Others understand the perks and potential benefits of having a credit card. While CCs can be a slippery slope for a…