August 29, 2016 Can you believe that it’s back-to-school time already? It’s incredible how quickly the summer flies by! Sad to say, it’s time to kiss those chill, flexible days goodbye—and figure out how to afford all the beginning-of-the-school-year expenses. Whether it’s school supplies, clothing, or gear, here are our suggestions for dishing out less…
November 9, 2020 What topics do you like to discuss with your family members? Movies. Books. Netflix. Weather. Quarantine. These are all relatively easy topics to discuss. When was the last time you threw estate planning into the mix of a conversation with your family? That’s right. Estate planning! Of course, not many people want…
November 14, 2014 Before going any further, let’s just acknowledge the fact that people have a genuinely good point when they say that there’s something questionable about Thanksgiving weekend turning into a major shopping frenzy. That being said, almost all of us can benefit from saving money and, as long as you don’t go overboard…
January 4, 2021 In 2020, many of us learned that pandemics are expensive and financially draining. The prices of regular household items skyrocketed, we paid more to have our groceries delivered to our homes, and we signed up for services to make our lives more comfortable. On top of that, some of us lost our…
February 10, 2012 No matter if the economy is bad or if you’re short on funds, saving money is something that’s important to do, but sometimes people aren’t sure where to start, or how they can cut down their costs. There are a number of ways to save money, in a variety of different aspects…
February 21, 2013 This is a three-part series on how to make your next million dollars. The key to doing this is PLANNING! There needs to be a “savings” line item in your monthly budget. Unfortunately too many investors are not saving much, if anything at all. Part 1 of the series discusses the key behavioral trap…
December 12, 2016 With so many retail options to choose from—both online and in-person—it can be challenging to decide how, when, and where to purchase toys this holiday season. Thanks to promo codes, apps, and purchase incentives, even if a toy isn’t on sale, you can still find a way to save. If you’re helping…
March 26, 2012 All too often today, children are clueless when it comes to finances and budgeting – but I want my children prepared. My husband and I have set down guidelines to help teach lessons about money and spending. We also use everyday situations as real life examples. For instance, when we go shopping we…
October 22, 2018 Yes, it’s still October and many of us find it annoying to go to the store and already see Christmas decorations on sale—but it’s not too early to start budgeting for the holiday season. Too often, it sneaks up on us and, without a plan in place, the costs snowball until January…
August 23, 2011 Saving money is always a good thing, and it can easily be done by planning ahead. You can save money on many purchases by scheduling them into your week, month, and time of year. Save Money on Groceries Besides clipping coupons there are a couple of tips to save money at the…
November 16, 2017 Have you started your holiday shopping yet? I’m one of those people who waits until the very last minute. I always intend to start in October but keep putting it off just a few more days until it’s December. Then I spend the next two weeks running around like a crazy person…
October 10, 2014 It’s only October but this is a great time to start thinking about your holiday planning. We willingly devote so many of our resources to making this time of year special which speaks volumes about its importance. The downside is that we often enter the new year emotionally, physically and financially exhausted….
November 29, 2011 The holiday season is a time where children expect presents, but not everybody can afford to get their kids what they want (or deserve). I’m here to show you how to keep your out of pocket costs to a minimum so you can save that money for what’s really needed – bills,…
June 20, 2017 Are you wondering how to stay cool in the summer heat without cranking up the air conditioner up? I’m not a fan of super hot weather and thankfully, in Vermont, it seldom gets really hot. But the thermometer has been inching up this year, and it’s only June. Here are a few…
September 16, 2014 We try our hardest but the truth is that life can be absolutely insane. Between commuting to work, carpooling and kid activities, it’s hard to remember every single little thing that we need to do or buy from the store. Technology has some real drawbacks in terms of how we interact with…
February 28, 2020 If you’re lucky enough to be getting a tax refund this year, put it to good use! There are many choices we can make with this extra lump sum of money. Choosing a few wise investments are always recommended by experts. Consider one of these! Pay down, or pay off a credit…
February 10, 2012 No matter if the economy is bad or if you’re short on funds, saving money is something that’s important to do, but sometimes people aren’t sure where to start, or how they can cut down their costs. There are a number of ways to save money, in a variety of different aspects…
October 5, 2017 The holiday season is coming soon. Doesn’t it feel like every year goes by faster than the one before? It’s crazy. You know what else is crazy? How much we spend on the holidays every year. If you’ve spent many Januarys digging out from under bills and credit card statements (and who…
October 5, 2011 Allowing teenagers to get their driver’s licenses can be an exciting and rewarding time for the entire family as they gain independence and the new “adult” responsibilities that come with driving. While adding a teen driver to your policy may increase your auto insurance rates, there are several things you can do…
April 1, 2019 If you’ve been putting off filing your taxes, you’re not alone. In 2017 more than 40 million people put off filing their taxes until April and this year is expected to be no different. While we’ve all come to expect yearly changes to tax laws, it’s never a bad idea to familiarize…
December 19, 2012 Though men everywhere refuse to believe it, studies have shown that women make better investors than men. Whether investing family funds or doing it professionally, women continually squeeze more money from the Wall Street vine than men. The question is … what makes women better investors? 1. Women Have Less Ego Men…
September 9, 2011 Setting up a family budget is one of the most important steps you can take to control your finances. It doesn’t matter how much money you have – in order to make the best use of your income, you need a family budget. A family budget will not only tell you…
May 31, 2012 We all want to enjoy the summer months and create great memories for our kids when they’re off school. However, you don’t need to go into debt to have an enjoyable summer with your family. Here are some easy ways to help you keep your summer spending in check without sacrificing fun…
January 15, 2018 New year, new you, right? While many people commit to improving some aspect of life this time of year, the focus is rarely on finances. Sure, you might create a few financial goals, but after months of spending over the holidays, many people don’t even want to look at their bank accounts!…
May 8, 2015 New moms have experienced a lot of change with arrival of baby. While there’s so much happiness that comes with their bundle of joy, there’s also stress that comes with learning to juggle baby needs, household chores, bills, money, work and personal time. With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, it’s the perfect time…
January 19, 2019 If the holiday bills have you thinking about how to earn extra money, you’re not alone. Many people overspend during the holidays and only realize the full impact when the credit card bills start arriving in January. Whether you want to earn extra money to pay for holiday spending or just put…
February 23, 2017 Many people wish they had more money to spend on travel and vacations. Actually, don’t we all? Family travel—including transportation, hotel, food, and excursions—can be expensive, but if you save a little every month for your family vacation fund, you’ll be surprised how fast the money adds up! 7 ways to grow…
December 18, 2017 It can be overwhelming—and even a little embarrassing—to feel financial strain as everyone around you checks items off their holiday wish list. But there are plenty of ways to give a gift without spending much money—or any at all. This is a perfect opportunity to let your creativity shine. Being thoughtful and…
December 7, 2012 If you turn on the television or walk into a store, you are inundated with all the glittery packages, discounts, and holiday sales. The spirit of “giving” seems to be the one that most stores focus on for the holidays and rightfully so for their pocketbooks. In fact, you may be surprised…
July 12, 2012 Investing in company stocks is a great way to earn dividends and build wealth over time. However, most brokerage houses charge several hundred dollars to invest in stocks. Even discount brokerages like E-Trade and Ameritrade want about $10 per transaction. These fees exist because you buy and sell stocks through a middle…
August 7, 2012 It’s almost time for back to school – which means shopping for clothing, supplies, and backpacks. Waiting until the last week before school starts can get you great prices when there are sales – but the crowds can be maddening and the supplies can be low. You may even waste time and…
January 4, 2012 Log in and leave a comment below for a chance to win a $100 gift card. (See official rules) Buying gifts can be stressful. Sure, you may know your sister’s favorite perfume or your mom’s favorite movie. But what about a last minute hostess gift, or a little something for the school…
September 26, 2012 Passive income is, in essence, money generated “while you sleep.” In other words, you don’t have to be punching a clock or otherwise actively engaged in a job to make this type of income. Of course it’s not as easy as snapping your fingers. There is some effort involved with setting up…
November 4, 2011 If you are looking for ways to save money each month, the grocery store is a great place to start. Unlike car or mortgage payments which tend to be fixed amounts, the amount of money you spend at the grocery store is something you can control. It is important we find ways…
May 1, 2017 It’s spring, which means it’s time for spring cleaning and decluttering—and for having a garage sale to get rid of all the items you no longer need. What better way to declutter and make a little money at the same time? But there is more to having a garage sale than simply…
March 7, 2017 Spring is on the horizon—which means it’s time to start planning your summer vacation. Vacations can get pricey, particularly if you have a large family, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast. Whether you intend to travel or find things to do close to home, these budget-friendly vacation ideas are a…
November 4, 2011 If you are looking for ways to save money each month, the grocery store is a great place to start. Unlike car or mortgage payments which tend to be fixed amounts, the amount of money you spend at the grocery store is something you can control. It is important we find ways…
May 16, 2012 Have you heard? The housing industry is showing signs of a rebound. While this is great news economically speaking, it’s also a warning: if you’ve been sitting on the fence wondering whether or not you should refinance, now is the time. If you’re behind on your payments and worried about foreclosure, there…
July 9, 2013 Whether we like it or not, we live in a society where money is extremely important. While it doesn’t have to be what rules and motivates us, we definitely need to understand how to manage our finances and that type of education is important from an early age. For that reason, it’s…
November 23, 2018 It’s only November but you’ve probably already started preparing for the upcoming festive season. Whether it’s a holiday meal or gifts, the costs associated with this time of year are always higher than we expect. Even with a solid plan, it’s so easy to get swept up in the fun music, cute…
December 27, 2018 When it comes to New Year’s Resolutions, people tend to think of changes they want to change within their personal life but it’s important to look for ways in which you can improve professionally too. Too often, we fall into a routine and then rarely take the time to reevaluate our choices…
November 22, 2018 Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Is it a coincidence that tomorrow’s Black Friday is also National Espresso Day? Probably not, but if you want to brave the stores on Black Friday it’s better to arm yourself with a game plan before you go (and a shot or three of espresso probably won’t hurt either)….
September 15, 2011 Maybe you are the type of person who always pays your credit card balance in full before the end of your billing cycle, and enjoys the reward points you gain. But if you are part of the majority of Americans who owe $9300.00 or more on credit cards, it may be time…
November 7, 2016 We all have that friend. Every time you turn around, she’s getting a free coffee or taking her kids to an event with cool take-home gifts or running to deposit yet another rebate check. I finally asked that friend how she does it because, frankly, she’s an expert. Forget expert. She is…
January 14, 2015 Did you spend a little too much over the holidays? If so, paying bills and getting things under control this month a little stressful. It may feel overwhelming but, with a little discipline and organization, you can get things back on track. Here are some suggestions: Avoid Denial It’s tempting to put…