What is Lifestyle Inflation?
Have you noticed that even when your income increases, it can feel like you still don’t have more money leftover at the end of the month? That’s because often, when our income increases, our expenses do too. This is a very real phenomenon called lifestyle inflation. It can sneak up on us despite our best…
Read More3 Strategies to Stretch Your Food Dollars
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you may have to stretch a lower income to cover regular expenses. If your income has been reduced or you have had a lot of unexpected expenses, having enough money to feed yourself and your family may be a challenge. Food is a necessity to maintain a healthy life. But…
Read More5 Tips to Stay Out of Debt on Black Friday
Your No-Debt Black Friday Survival Guide As a veteran, I often get eye rolls from my kids when I use military analogies to describe events. But as a financial coach, I can’t help but see Black Friday as an epic battle. You’re knee-deep in the trenches of holiday shopping goals and you’re experiencing the rapid…
Read More8 Tips for Financial Planning During an Economic Downturn
It’s difficult to create a solid financial plan when the economy is booming. Add an economic downturn and creating a financial plan can seem impossible. Here are eight tips for financial planning during a downturn that can help you stay the course. 1. Be Sure You’re Thinking Clearly It’s easy to give in to panic…
Read MoreHow to Break the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle
It can be so frustrating when you have more month than money! Everything is a battle and a challenge, just living day to day. The trick to getting out of that cycle is to make a plan for every single dollar. If you decide where you will spend your money before you receive it, you…
Read MoreHow to Start Couponing for Beginners (2022)
Couponing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but how do you know if it will work for you without trying it out? If nothing else, you should learn how to coupon because it can be a great way to stretch your grocery budget. Whether you save $2.00 or $25.00, that is money that you can put…
Read MoreWhat should I do to budget if I’m on unemployment?
I’m sorry to hear you are unemployed. I know for many people it has been very difficult to access unemployment benefits since the CARES Act was enacted in March 2020. On top of that, the extra $600 per month payout ended July 31, 2020. So, congratulations on breaking through the red tape. You finally have…
Read MoreGame Plan for Starting a Small Business
When I first became a financial planner, my specialty was small business owners. I also headed my local Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business committee. Over the years, I received a lot of excellent business advice. Below are the top five most impactful business tips I’ve heard: Get your personal financial house in order If you…
Read MoreHow can I save on a fixed income and disability?
The key to saving is quite simply, to spend less than you make. This works for all incomes, whether it’s from a job, retirement, or government benefits like disability. If you are spending everything that you have each month, then consider checking your spending for a leak in your wallet. When I say “leak,” I…
Read MoreHow To Talk about Finances with Your Children
It’s important to talk openly with your family about your financial goals, values, and situation on a regular basis. However, that’s easier said than done. As early as preschool, you can start talking to children about money and building their financial skills in age-appropriate ways. For preschoolers, you might focus on the skill of waiting…
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