Archive for the ‘money management’ Category

We Spend What We Want to Spend!

Thursday, December 20th, 2007

For several weeks, there have been lots of "doom and gloom" press reports regarding the state of the U.S. economy and consumers holiday spending...predictions of desperate retailers "hoping" that holiday sales will get and/or keep them in the "black" for the year; stories of mortgage troubles; evaluations of the subprime ...

Money Motivation for the Middle of the Month

Monday, December 17th, 2007

Living on a budget is not nearly as difficult at the beginning and end of the month as it is in the middle.  The days between the 10th and the 20th can be the most challenging for maintaining focus and discipline toward financial goals.  These 5 strategies will help you stay motivated during the middle ...

YES, it is possible to save money on utility bills!

Thursday, December 6th, 2007

With gas and grocery prices on the way up, it seems that all the necessities are costing more with each passing day.  Even if we have no control over prices, there are things we can do to lower our bills in other ways.   Use these ideas to start saving money today!

Don’t Waste “Budget Leftovers”!

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Thanksgiving is over and the end of the budget month has come again.  The refrigerator holds remnants of last week’s feast while the bank contains what little remains of your last paycheck.  It’s a shame to throw the "leftovers" away but what choice is there?  What’s left is enough to ...

Setting a Holiday Budget

Monday, November 26th, 2007

For longer than I would like to admit, my holiday budgets have consisted of buying gifts now and figuring out how to pay for them later!  I have always STARTED my holiday shopping with specific spending limits in mind but I have not stayed within those limits very well.  Even ...

Will YOUR Account Be “In The Black” on Friday?

Thursday, November 22nd, 2007

If you have managed to miss any of the "Black Friday" marketing efforts aimed at getting people in stores early and often on Friday, count yourself lucky!  That is not to say that their are not some good deals to be had but at what cost - dealing with crowds, ...

It’s All Cash For Christmas!

Monday, November 19th, 2007

For the first time in our 10 year marriage, my husband and I will purchase all of our Christmas gifts this year with cash.  There will not be any huge credit cards bills arriving in January and we will not have regrets about spending too much money (that we didn't ...

Paperless Payments For Just About Anything!

Thursday, November 15th, 2007

Most, if not all, of us are familiar and comfortable with some form of electronic payments, even if we don't always realize it.  Credit and debit transactions are electronic payments and rarely a day goes by when we don't make at least one of those!  In truth, ANY non-cash financial ...

Go “Outside The Box” for Great Holiday Gifts

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

Somewhere on almost every holiday shopping list, there is a name of someone that is difficult, if not impossible, to find appropriate gifts for.  Maybe they already have "everything".  Maybe they don't have hobbies or interests with associated gifts.  For these people (and anyone else), a little creativity and imagination ...

Q & A: Does Your Budget Have Breathing Room?

Tuesday, November 6th, 2007

Just having a written budget does not guarantee that all financial issues will be easily controlled.  Even with a well-built budget, stretching those last dollars until the next paycheck can be a struggle.  These questions and answers highlight effective techniques for creating a little "breathing room" in any budget.