Black Friday Deals: Are You Really Saving Money?

I can’t believe it’s already November! It feels to me like the months come quicker once October rolls around (not that I mind, as I’m not a fan of the cold). I used to anxiously await Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season, but I’ve been noticing Christmas commercials on TV since the day after Halloween. Some may think it’s a bit outrageous, and it might be too early, but since I’m a planner by nature, I’ve been thinking about gift shopping for months already and the ads I’m seeing feel fitting.

Read more

Thrifty Shoppers Save More Money

It’s no secret that I love to shop for just about anything – clothes, furniture, home decor, even groceries. I don’t spend money on a lot of these things often, but I set aside money in my budget each month so I can every once in a while. Finding things that I love that are still affordable is kind of a game for me.

Read more

Spooky Savings

I’m so excited that October is finally here! It’s one of my favorite months – the weather gets comfortably cooler, and we get to enjoy what feels like the last of the sunshine before winter comes. Halloween is also one of my favorite holidays, so I love to look for little ways to celebrate all month long.

Read more

Savings Challenge Check-In: Halfway There!

I’ve finally reached the halfway mark of the 52-Week Money Saving Challenge! Beginning this past April, I consistently added to my savings on a weekly basis ($1 during week one, $2 during week two, and so on…) in addition to what I’ve been saving towards my emergency fund. I’ve collected a total of $351! It amazes me that in six more months, that number will grow to just under $1,400 when the challenge is complete at the end of March.

Read more

Prepping Your Budget for the Holidays

It’s finally starting to feel like fall! Now is the time of year that I start to think about all of the things the change of season brings. The holidays will come way faster than you think, and I both look forward to and dread them at the same time. I love heading indoors, staying warm, and spending time with family and friends. I’m not so crazy about some of the financial tolls winter brings with it (don’t even get me started on our gas bill…).

Read more

Stop Overspending to Save More

Planning a budget is easy enough, but following through with your plans can be the tricky part. It’s not uncommon to find yourself in situations where you’re tempted to spend more money than you had planned, so if you can identify some of those scenarios beforehand, you can anticipate how to handle them.

Read more

Save or Spend? Tips for Getting Through a Financial Pickle

When I write posts to share with all of you, I try to write about things that not only could apply to just about anyone, but also about topics and tips that I can apply to my own financial plans. I try to follow all of my own advice, and writing about ways to be a better saver and stick to a budget has made me more financially responsible than I’ve ever been.

Read more

Hidden Fees and How to Save By Avoiding Them

I’d like to think I’ve gotten pretty good at working within my budget and monitoring my expenses, but sometimes little things can sneak up on you. Advertised costs aren’t always what they appear to be – hidden fees are popping up more frequently now than ever. They’re the charges that aren’t included in the up-front payment price, and they can be as small as a buck or two, or as much as a few thousand dollars (obviously depending on what you’re purchasing).

Read more