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 MoreTiffany’s Story: 100% Self-Made, Independent, and Proud of It
Meet Tiffany, an insurance company Customer Service Expert who lives in Michigan with her six-year-old son. What did your upbringing teach you about finances? I was always a hard worker and strived to make my own money. I’ve saved money to buy the things I wanted or felt I deserved. I pride myself on being…
Read MoreWolf’s Story: It’s Not About Amassing a Fortune
Meet Wolf, a retired psychologist living in the mountains of Colorado with his wife and many animals. What do you do? My wife and I are retired. We have a small, 35-acre ranch here. We make a little bit of extra money with our goats and chickens. I also contract tutor online. It’s a good…
Read MoreTeaching Your Kids to Save Money
Think about the lessons you learned about money. How do the messages you heard in your early years impact the way you view and manage money today? Research shows that lifelong money habits are formed early. In fact, psychologists believe that by age 7 (I know, right?), kids have already developed long-lasting attitudes about money.…
Read MoreTamiko’s Story: Pay Yourself First
Meet Tamiko: Tamiko lives in Dothan, Alabama with her two children, Ayonna (13) and Aidan (8). She has worked as an administrative assistant for her church for 16 years. What did your upbringing teach you about finances? My mom was a single parent, so she always managed money. It was a struggle for me, but…
Read MoreLauren’s Story: Money Won’t Make You Happy
Meet Lauren, a mother of four daughters (including a two-month-old baby!) who lives with her husband in Conway, South Carolina. What do you and your husband do? My husband is a produce manager at our neighborhood market. I am current filing for disability. What did your upbringing teach you about finances? Money doesn’t grow on…
Read MoreNicole’s Story: Live on Less Than You Earn
Meet Nicole, a social worker and mother of two in Atlanta, Georgia. What do you do? Right now, I’m working in logistics, but I was a social worker for a very long time. When I got married and had my kids, I took a break from social work because it’s a very involved career. So…
Read MoreForget resolutions – it’s time for a financial New Year’s revolution!
It’s New Year’s resolution season! Even though many resolutions don’t make it until the end of winter, it can still be a helpful exercise for many people. Many years ago, I decided to begin each year with a financial revolution! Check out how Merriam Webster defines revolution: the action by a celestial body of going round…
Read MoreHow to Get Back on Track After a Financial Emergency
Let’s talk about what to do when the emergency hits. We aren’t trying to bum you out, but the fact is, we are all likely to have a financial shock. What happens when you have to use your emergency fund? First, pat yourself on the back for having the funds, and then strategize. Using your…
Read More6 Easy Steps to Set a Budget that You’ll Actually Stick To
Whether it’s something you need or something you want, creating a budget can help you keep your spending in line so you can reach your financial goals. Creating a budget may seem daunting, but this video walks you through setting up a budget that you can actually stick to. Once you know what your goal…
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