Living for today - Planning for Tomorrow
One of the biggest surprises when I moved out on my own for the first time was how much cleaning supplies and household goods like tissues cost. The average American household spends $40 to $50 per month on cleaning supplies and $60 per month on personal care products and services. But luckily you don’t have to spend $1,300 per year just to keep your home
When you first set a financial goal, working towards it feels new and exciting. You may spend a lot of time researching ways to save money and feel motivated to change your lifestyle to get closer to your goal. But after a while, the shine wears off and you enter into a phase called “the boring middle.” When you’re in the boring middle, you feel
If fast food is a big line item in your budget, you’re not alone. The average American household spends $250 per month on eating out. Investing that money instead can help you achieve your financial goals and build wealth. But how do you break the habit of hopping in the car and going to Wendy’s whenever you’re too tired to cook? Here are some tips
Now that the holiday season is in full swing, it’s time to make your Xmas travel plans if you haven’t already. This is the first time I’ve had to travel home for Christmas, so I’m trying to figure out how to get there without breaking the bank. Gas and plane tickets are both more expensive than they were last year. A gallon of gas costs about
Food waste happens to the best of us. It’s easy to forget about leftovers at the back of the fridge, causing them to spoil before you can eat them. Throwing out one head of lettuce or package of meat every now and then isn’t a big deal. But if you waste multiple food items each week, the cost can really add up. In fact, the
A couple months ago I wrote a blog post about how I’m not making any cosmetic updates to my 1970s house. But one home upgrade I plan to make as soon as I can afford it is adding solar panels to my roof—and I’m not alone. According to a recent survey by Pew, most Americans say they’ve seriously considered buying solar panels or have already
You turn off the lights when you leave a room, shut your air conditioner off if you’re not home, and try to conserve water. So why are your utility bills so high? Even if you use energy responsibly, these common culprits of high utility bills can still drain your bank account. Here are five hidden causes of expensive power bills and what you can do
If you’ve noticed that you’re spending more than ever on gas and groceries, you’re not alone. Over the past year, consumer prices have increased by 5.4%. Annual inflation usually sits at around 2%, so this is a big change for all of our budgets. Although wages have been increasing in many industries due to labor shortages, experts say that they may not be rising fast
A lot of people get minimalism wrong – thinking that they have to get rid of everything they own. But that’s really not the truth. In a gist minimalism is eliminating things from your life that don’t serve a purpose or bring you happiness. These aren’t just material items either. They can be negative people in your life or something such as a soul-sucking job.
Moving into your first apartment is an exciting time in your life. You’re striking out on your own and getting a space that’s all yours. But renting and budgeting for a first apartment is a big financial responsibility, and there are lots of hidden costs you may not think about. It’s important to plan and save for all of those expenses so you don’t end
