In the early hours of July 8, 2024, Hurricane Beryl barreled through our town (see what I did there?). As a child, my anxiety levels surrounding hurricanes stood at zero. My parents never overreacted about hurricanes, and their peace of mind was my peace of mind. If only my own children could have this same experience. These days, my anxiety level surrounding hurricanes has increased significantly. Maybe it’s because I was diagnosed with general anxiety. Maybe it’s because I’m fully aware of the damage a hurricane can leave behind. Or maybe it’s because I’m a homeowner living in a post-Hurrica ..read more

Exciting news! The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has temporarily increased its sign-up bonus. This card is a favorite of both my husband and me, and it’s perfect for anyone looking to dive into the world of travel rewards and points. Here’s why: Amazing limited time welcome bonus  2x points points on all travel purchases 3x points on restaurants, online groceries, and select streaming services. 5x points on travel booked through Chase’s portal $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit when purchased through Chase travel Redeem your points in so many ways (you’re not limited like other cards ..read more

In the realm of personal finance, crafting a budget is an essential first step to managing your money effectively.  But what if we told you there’s a way to supercharge your savings and financial discipline? Enter the world of the “Bare Bones Budget.”  This no-nonsense approach involves cutting back to the absolute essentials, providing a temporary lifeline for your finances. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve deeper into the concept of a Bare Bones Budget, its benefits, and offer valuable tips to make it work for you. What is a Bare Bones Budget? A Bare Bones Budget is your fi ..read more

Money is the number one stressor for many families out there. When I was in debt, it led to many sleepless nights and fingernail chewing. I saw no way out of it until I started employing some of these money managing tips. They truly changed everything for me! Even if you make a good amount of income and have no debt, you can still find yourself with next to no money at the end of the month. Managing money teaches you how to prioritize your spending and be wiser about how you use whatever amount of money you have. 7 critical money managing tips Every single one of these money-managing tips is s ..read more

If you’re paid weekly, then figuring out how to write a budget for weekly pay that works for you can feel like you’re putting together a jigsaw puzzle. It can be difficult to assemble a puzzle without knowing the entire picture – the same is true for budgeting when you get paid weekly! Although the idea of getting paid weekly might sound ideal, it actually makes budgeting a bit more complicated. Receiving money in smaller increments can make it difficult to pay off bills on time and ensure you’re saving enough money for the following week. If you’re paid weekly, then you aren’t alone! Over 30 ..read more

Besides the big stuff like rent, mortgages, and debt payments, groceries should be the next biggest chunk of your budget. While groceries are essential items, and you need a healthy dose of money dedicated to them, you can still slim down this area of the budget. How, you might ask? With frugal menus and meal planning! A big part of eating cheaper also means eating healthier. It requires more cooking on your part and could mean changing the way you eat. But really, that’s a win-win! I’ve outlined my approach to making my own grocery budget and some of my go-to meals that you can use to feed th ..read more

Are you blindly investing in the stock market? Perhaps you’ve heard of people buying cryptocurrency and NFTS. Should you be doing the same? Investing has only gotten more complicated these days! This is precisely why I want to peel back the curtain on how to invest and make money daily. Yes, really! Investing is so much different than it was for our parents’ generation. With inflation on the rise, student debt by the bucketload, and a shifting workforce, utilizing every dollar is more essential than ever. The best way to invest is not the same as it was even ten years ago. When it comes to bei ..read more

Money is often cited as one of the main sources of arguments and stress for couples, but what if there were a way to manage finances that would benefit both partners? In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of keeping money separate, including how one couple manages their finances, budgeting strategies, savings plans, and financial planning tips. We will also discuss how couples can use these strategies to manage their money and achieve goals together. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of how to manage your finances as a couple and how keeping money separate ..read more

Traveling the world doesn’t have to mean emptying your savings account. Curious about how to explore on a budget while not skimping on essentials? I’ve been there! That’s why I’ve put together this list of 7 travel essentials that I’ve personally bought and loved, all without breaking the bank. These items have seriously upped my travel game, and I bet they’ll do the same for you. 1. Travel Backpack I bought this travel backpack (size large in peacock blue) last year and it was one of my favorite buys of the entire year! It’s the perfect size for my carry-on personal item. I’ve even used this ..read more

You start out creating a budget with the best intentions, then life happens. You get carried away swiping your card and before you know it your budget is blown…..again! Or maybe you unintentionally overspend at the grocery store? Then you throw your budget away because the unexpected expense or overspending causes you to blow your budget.  You may have even uttered the words, “Oh, I’ll start over next month.” I know I can’t be the only one that does this! You think your budget will only work if it’s perfect, so you scrap it every single time you overspend.  To be perfectly honest, o ..read more