When I was single with no kids, no mortgage and just a ~$35k student loan at under 4%… it wasn’t too hard to plow a ton of money into a 401(k) out of college. That flexibility hides a lot of mistakes. With a decade of time, some wild swings in the stock market, and zero […]
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11 Side Businesses You Can Start with Less Than $100
Starting a business can be one of the most beneficial tasks you undertake to improve your financial life. Whether you’re a recent college graduate, a busy stay at home mom, or even someone who is retired, starting a side business can generate some extra cash to help you reach your financial goals. When many people […]
Costco, Exxon, Shell, Chevron, Mobil, … Which gas is the best?
I love buying gas from Costco. I love Costco gas mostly because it’s insanely cheap. Like 20-25 cents cheaper than my local gas station, which is arguably somewhat pricier than average because it’s in a weird location and super convenient for people who live near the weird location. I try to go when the warehouse […]
9 Surprising Ways to Make Money Recycling
Reduce, reuse, recycle… get paid? Yep. We recycle a lot in our home. We recycle because it’s a good thing to do but it also reduces the number of trash bags. Trash smells so the fewer the better! But did you know the stuff you’re leaving in your blue bin could be worth cash? (we […]
Understanding Maslow’s Hierarchy of Financial Needs
Psychology was one of my favorite subjects in school. It was like getting an instruction manual for how people worked. A cheat sheet, if you will. One of my favorite “theories” in psychology is Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Here it is: It’s a theory of human motivation. We aim to fulfill the needs at […]
What does it mean to be Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
Homeownership is great… except you end up shelling out quite a bit to get things done to and around your home. We live on a wooded lot with lots of tall trees. Just recently a maple fell and it measured a little over 4′ in diameter with the main trunk that was easily 10′ tall. […]
The Ultimate Guide to Merging Money After Marriage
Money and marriage can be a tricky business. A survey by SunTrust found that couples gave finances as the main cause of stress in their relationships. That doesn’t have to be the case with you. Over the last few years, I’ve interviewed couples who’ve done some big things with their money, like getting out of […]
6 Ways To Save Hundreds On Your Grocery Bills
My weekly shopping trip to the grocery store is always hectic. Just getting my two toddlers out the car and keeping track of them in the store seems like a job in itself #amiright? I’ve looked into subscribing to meal delivery services but it’s just not affordable once the promotional period ends. So, I’ve tried […]
7 Easy Ways to Improve Your Finances Right Now
If you only have a few minutes to focus on your money, it doesn’t make sense to start a two hour process. You won’t finish, the work will be wasted, and you’ll have to start over. Instead, if you have 15 minutes, do a 15 minute job. There are plenty of those, even if you […]
7 Papa John’s Pizza Hacks: More Pizza, Better Ingredients, Pay Less
I grew up in New York and seemingly every Friday, I’d drive with my dad to a local pizza shop. I’d sit in the passenger seat, holding the box on my lap, as it tortured me during the agonizing ten minute drive home. The slices were delicious. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. […]
Best Microsoft Excel Budgeting Spreadsheets – Free Household Budgeting Templates You Can Use!
When it comes to managing your finances, having a solid budget in place is key. Budgeting tells your money where to go and by giving your money a purpose, you gain more clarity and control over your finances. Creating and sticking to a budget is easy if you make it realistic. Tracking your spending and […]