Many of us are used to throwing food away regularly, but when you stop to consider the process, throwing food away is similar to throwing money in the trash! Whether you are disposing of groceries or leftovers, every bit of food was paid for at some point—and when you consider that the average American family throws out around $2,000 worth of food a year, it is easy to see how this waste can seriously add up for your wallet. Read on →

Though money is certainly a useful tool for living in our society, money stress is a real affliction that impacts many people, regardless of how much they make. Even for higher earners, costs can be a source of stress as living expenses tend to rise to meet income. For most people, money can be a major source of stress. Between paying back debts, managing monthly expenses and allocating paychecks, there is a lot to worry about. Read on →

Groceries are certainly an inevitable household expense, but boy, can they get expensive. While shopping for food to cook at home is still much cheaper than eating out, the average American family will spend over $400 a month on groceries alone. Though healthy meals cooked at home are a worthwhile investment, there are some key ways that families can bring this figure down. Read on for our favorite tips! Read on →

If you have heard the term “no spend challenge” in the past, it has likely piqued your curiosity—it did for us the first time we heard it, too! While having more money is something we all strive towards, not spending money sounds like a nearly impossible feat. However, despite its name, a no spend challenge is a bit more nuanced than simply not letting a dime leave your wallet. Read on →

While the holidays may still feel like a distant concept, the reality is that they will be here before we know it—and with them, there will be extra expenses that inevitably pop up. From workplace White Elephants to surprise winter gatherings, there are many unexpected reasons you may have to stretch your budget a bit further between now and the start of the new year. It seems like every year, the holiday season becomes about spending more and more—and the data backs up that feeling, too. Read on →

We all know how important saving money is to our sense of security and our financial future in theory—but when money is tight, doing things like building up an emergency savings fund or building up your savings account seems next to impossible. Fortunately, even when your paycheck is already stretched thin, there are smart ways you can save and (hopefully) make more room in your budget so you can start hitting your savings goals after all. Read on →

Money plays a major role in everyone’s lives in both major and minor ways. From life’s big decisions like what job you accept to the seemingly smaller ones like where you get your groceries, money plays a big factor in everything a person does in the world. While this is something that children do not necessarily understand the scope of at a young age, parents can help set them up for success by building good habits from the beginning. Read on →

No matter how much we plan, budget and save, financial setbacks can still happen when we least expect it. There can be many reasons why you may have to spend money when you were not expecting to, such as a pay cut, animal emergency or unexpected doctor’s visit. While these things are always a bummer, they can also help you and your budget come back stronger. The most important thing in the wake of an unexpected expense? Read on →

If you are in the process of buying a home, or are thinking it may be a step you would like to take in the next few years, you are likely already inundated with thoughts about the biggest factor in your search: the budget. While buying a house is a fantastic investment, it is also a major expense. Oftentimes, a mortgage will be cheaper than renting, but you have many more upfront costs as a home buyer that can temporarily offset the savings. Read on →

If you are hoping to increase your overall financial health and set yourself up for a strong future, investing in your retirement savings is one of the best places to start. The earlier you start investing in retirement, the better off you will be—and thanks to compounding interest, even small contributions can grow significantly over time. As you begin to research your retirement savings options, you will likely see the terms IRA and 401(k) thrown around most often. Read on →