Personal Finance

You know you’re supposed to be saving money for your kids’ future. But, with everything else you have to pay for, from day-to-day expenses to saving for retirement, saving can feel like a lot. Trust me – I’ve been there. There were several years where my husband and I didn’t save for our daughter’s education because money was so tight. And while taking a break from saving can help get you through a tight spot, you don’t want to do that for long. After all, according to the Department of Education, the average student loan balance per borrower in 2024 was almost $38,000. If we save money regularly during our child’s adolescence, we can do a lot to offset that debt for our kids.

Whether you’re saving for something fun, like a tropical getaway, or something practical, like a ‘just-in-case’ fund, saving can be daunting. These 5 ways to save for a rainy day will help set you on a successful savings path!

If you were shocked by how much you spent on holiday gifts last year, now is the time to start thinking about how to avoid a repeat performance. Even though it may feel painfully early to think about the holidays, starting now will give you plenty of time to plan, budget, and build a shopping fund so you can avoid carrying extra debt into the New Year.

Whether you plan to stop working the day you turn 65 or are taking a wait-and-see approach, it’s essential to sock money away for retirement. These days, many jobs do not include a guaranteed pension or even an employer match for a retirement fund, so much of the saving is up to us. And the earlier you start, the better!

Guest post by Jess Coleman As an expecting first-time mom and lover of all things frugal, I was so pumped … Read More

Credit cards have a bad rap. After all, credit card debt is on the rise. Debt increased by over 10 percent when comparing Q3 of 2023 to Q3 of 2022, according to Experian. So, I will begin by saying that if you are currently struggling with credit card debt, save this post for when your credit card debt is in the rearview mirror.

Even though the economy is improving, money is still tight for many Americans. If you’re struggling to pay your bills on time or save money for a rainy day, here are my favorite ways to earn a little extra cash.

Do you dread the car-buying process? Me too. I’m more likely to drive a car into the ground and then get a … Read More

I have been a penny pincher for a very long time (click here to see a breakdown of my $9,000 … Read More

You might be too occupied with preparing your taxes to notice, but April is Financial Literacy Month! You’re probably financially … Read More

©Pexels Budgeting trends on social media are creating a new generation of financially savvy savers.  From loud budgeting to no-spend … Read More

If you were aghast when the credit card bills arrived this past January, now is the time to start thinking … Read More

If you have a kid (or kids) in high school, this post is for you. It’s time to face facts, … Read More

Scammers are always looking for their next opportunity and what better time than a global pandemic when we’re all feeling … Read More

Written by Kelly Burch Consider these tips for setting up — and maintaining — your own successful childcare swap or … Read More

Written by Beth Braverman While making more money will not make all of your problems go away, it sure does … Read More

Written by Farnoosh Torabi In a serious relationship or thinking of getting married? Here are seven money moves to make … Read More

Everyone wants a piece of the American dream, and for many people, that dream includes owning a home. But owning … Read More

Written by Lidia Staron Money is essential in our lives because we use it as a currency and as a … Read More

Buying a new or used car can be an intimidating experience. Many car salespeople may pressure you to leave the … Read More