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…
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…
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…
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…
March 26, 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 investors…
September 20, 2018 Which December holiday are you counting down to? You likely know exactly how many days are left til it’s here! Whether it is Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, you will have extra expenses celebrating the holidays most important to you and your family. However, these expenses don’t have to be sudden or surprising….
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…
September 26, 2016 Summer is over and we’re entering the fall months, which means most people have the holidays on their minds. Instead of splurging last minute on gifts and travel plans, why not get yourself into good financial shape now? This way you will have adopted healthier habits before the heavy spending period begins. Here…
September 27, 2011 Vacations are a special time for families to explore new surroundings while spending time together. For many, these trips provide a lifetime of memories. Unfortunately, the high costs of travel can be daunting and discouraging but there are a few ways to make planning a family getaway a lot more affordable. Stay…
May 8, 2012 With spring cleaning comes the inevitable pile of items in the garage. Clothing, small electronics, kitchen items, you name it – it’s probably in a box or pile stuffed away out of sight. Why not turn your used items into money with a yard sale? If you’ve never had a yard sale…
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…
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…
July 29, 2013 When the concept of online shopping was first introduced people regarded it with suspicion, understandably. Even with today’s improved security measures, transmitting payments over the internet can be a bit scary but purchasing from trusted sites does a lot to minimize risk. You can also find discounts and sales by doing a…
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…
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…
May 29, 2012 My husband and I experienced financial ruin like so many in the last few years. When the economy went into a tailspin, so did our credit scores. We had worked so hard to build up a good reputation and it seemed all was lost in just a few months. After talking to…
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 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…
September 30, 2013 When it comes to saving money, most of us know what we should be doing but it doesn’t hurt to have a gentle reminder. Making some small modifications to your daily routine could really make a noticeable difference in the long run. You will be amazed by how good you will feel…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
January 6, 2014 We all tend to spend a little more than we should during the holidays, even when the economy isn’t so great. Maybe we were frivolous, maybe we just wanted some happiness after a tough year. Whatever the reason, reality sets in during the first month of the year and, suddenly, the splurging…
December 14, 2016 A friend recently described her approach to buying holiday gifts. She does everything a very particular way in order to feel good about the presents she gives. Our discussion got me thinking about how I approach gift-giving. I realize I also have a particular perspective when I choose what to give others….
October 6, 2011 As Halloween merchandise overtakes the stores this month, it can be tempting to overspend on candy, costumes, and decorations. Halloween is a huge money maker for retailers, and it is one of the most decorated holidays, second only to Christmas. With a little bit of planning this year, you can save money…
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…
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…
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)….
April 22, 2014 There are a host of apps and websites designed to help manage your hard-earned dollars and financial accounts. You can find online tools for banking, retirement planning, bill management, loyalty rewards, coupons, price comparison, sale alerts, rebates and much more. At first glance, this may seem very helpful; however, using too many…
December 15, 2016 We are already well into December and many of us are still struggling to finish our Christmas shopping. Unfortunately, it can be really hard to find good deals when you’re fighting the crowds. The solution? Shop online at these retailers and stack coupons like a pro to get the gifts that you want…
November 25, 2011 Like most moms, I always think of my kids and their needs first. That includes their clothing. But not anymore. I want a wardrobe that reflects me – shows I am someone other than just a soccer mom and I still have my own sense of style. I have a boho, hippy,…
June 13, 2012 A summer job is not only the first time a lot of teens earn their own money, but it’s the first time they earn a regular income that provides them with a decent amount to spend or save. Wanting to spend their earnings on ‘wants’ is a natural impulse for teenagers, making…
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…
November 26, 2018 Maybe you missed Black Friday and Small Business Saturday or you simply like shopping in your pajamas (solidarity sister), then Cyber Monday is the perfect shopping experience for you. Even if you’re shopping down to the wire, there are still deals to be had online; the key is knowing how to find…
July 7, 2014 The sun on our faces and the wind in our hair can make us feel like we don’t have a care in the world. After a while, though, the trips to the beach, amusement parks and ice cream shops can really add up. Before you know it, all of that “carefree” spending…
January 5, 2017 One of the first things that people think of when they’re trying to cut their expenses is to start using coupons. While couponing can be an excellent way to save a few dollars on your grocery bills, if used incorrectly they can have you spending more each week. So, how can you…
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…
June 21, 2012 Starting your own business is a huge milestone and one that comes with great preparation, hard work, and, most often, expenses. While most mompreneurs are prepared for the initial investment in starting their business, they are often surprised by the subsequent expenses and financial needs that come up. As a result, many…
September 27, 2017 As temperatures drop, electric and gas bills start to climb. While you can’t help using more energy during the cold weather, there are steps you can take to minimize your costs—and help the environment, too. Weatherstripping Sealing doors and windows will help keep cold air out and warm air in. You can…
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…
July 15, 2014 Last week, I told you about my research into how parents help their kids learn about money in Teaching Money: How Some Families Handle It. These ideas represent the standard approach of allowance or instruction that parents use to expose their children to financial decisions. But in the process of gathering information…
January 10, 2017 Many of us vow to limit holiday spending, then get so wrapped up in the season that we spend money we simply do not have. If you’re dismayed by the size of your holiday bills, know that you are not alone. According to Bankrate.com, the average consumer needs about six months to…
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…