Budgeting, College Savings
For many College graduates Spring Break is often reminisced as reward for their dedication to hard work. It’s also a time that is remembered for not paying enough attention to finances.
Whether you are planning a trip for Spring Break, already on one, or want to be prepared for any vacation, these tips will help you have the most fun without leaving you with a financial hangover.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind – This is easier said than done, but put away the credit cards. You should have a budget set up for how much Continue Reading »
Budgeting
Are you afraid to go to the mailbox, dreading the day when the January credit card statement arrives that reflects your holiday spending? If so, you’re not alone. According to one survey, despite the financially tough times, the average American planned to spend more on holiday gifts this year than last. If you didn’t pay cash, you must now pay for those gifts. And if you want to start the New Year off on the right note, you’ll need to have a recovery strategy for your finances.
Stop Spending You may be tempted to take advantage of all the Continue Reading »
Budgeting
As we head into the meaty part of the summer, most of us are looking forward to a few days of vacation. Whether it’s a week at the beach, an overseas adventure, or just relaxing around the neighborhood, consider these tips for ways to get the most vacation for your dollar.
Budget. Before you even begin planning where you are going to go and what you are going to do, develop a realistic and manageable budget. Be sure to include all known expenses, including transportation, entertainment, lodging, food, tips, and souvenirs. Then add a little extra to the budget Continue Reading »
Budgeting
Even if you have a good working budget, it’s easy to slip up on occasion. Sometimes it’s easy to get back on track, but other times might prove to be more difficult. Here are some tips to help keep you focused on making your budget work.
Spend Cash Only: This is unrealistic when talking about big-ticket items such as mortgage and car payments, but for everyday spending on items such as food and entertainment, this is very effective. When using a credit or debit card for these types of daily expenses, we sometimes aren’t aware of exactly how much Continue Reading »
Budgeting, Personal Finance
All too often it seems we live in a “succeed or fail” society. Success is good, failure is bad, and in many areas it seems to be an all-or-nothing option. That can be a very destructive mentality, especially as it relates to budgeting.
“I overspent in groceries, I failed at budgeting.”
“I haven’t updated my budget for 2 weeks. I failed at budgeting.”
“I didn’t save enough for that car repair. I was short $100 because I didn’t realize the car would need brakes and tires. I failed at budgeting.”
“I’m going to have to lower my clothing category Continue Reading »
