Wallet Wins

You can have a fun and romantic Valentine’s Day AND stay within your budget this Valentine’s Day. Here are three great, inexpensive date ideas that you can do with your loved ones.  Cook or bake something together. Even if you make a grand feast at home, it will still probably fit the budget more than if you were to go out. And you’ll probably have leftovers! Head out to the grocery store and pick up some delicious ingredients to make a romantic meal together. Not so great at cooking? Meal delivery boxes are making it easier than ever to make…

Creating a budget can often seem so complex. The more complicated it seems, the less likely you may be to make the effort. But you need some type of budget to help keep your spending in check and to ensure progress toward your short- and long-term financial goals.   If you’re new at creating a budget — or have been putting it off for fear of messing it up because you don’t fully understand what it is you’re supposed to do — consider the simplified 50/30/20 budget instead.   Why Is the 50/30/20 Budget So Popular?  Shakespeare once said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” It rings true today — especially when it comes to creating a budget.   The 50/30/20 budget is…

Every January, it’s the same deal: You resolve to save more money, pay off your debts, and get your financial situation in order. Then February comes along, and you’re back to your old habits. If you’ve broken New Year’s resolutions in the past, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year.  But this year can be different. With a few adjustments to your thinking and a few small hacks, you can make sure that your resolutions actually stick.    Start Small  If you usually start the year off with a big goal, only…

While holidays are a time for cheer and spending time with family, many also experience heightened levels of stress. With all that has happened this year, you may find yourself more overwhelmed than usual as the holidays approach.   However, even in these unsettling times, there are things you can do to help reduce your stress during the holidays. Below are some tips to help you get through the holidays as stress-free as possible.   Ask people to pitch in when you host holiday events. Instead of providing all the food yourself, ask others to prepare and bring a dish to help out. If you have guests that don’t cook, consider asking…

Article brought to you by:   At some point, you have to stop putting it on your credit card “and paying it off in January.” Just say no!   I used to think it was so strange when my mom joked, “Let’s just skip everything this year, OK?” How could she even dream of it!   But as a relatively functioning adult with my own bills and credit card balance to think about, I find myself agreeing with her. I may be too young still to be this cynical, but I also haven’t been this stressed since … last December.   No matter how many…