Can you believe it?! It may seem like summer started yesterday, but - in reality - we are halfway through the season, and the next school year will be here before you know it! Which means, it is time to start thinking and planning the back-to-school budget. Get a Back-to-School Budget Now that back-to-school shopping is about to be headed your way, it is important to remember that while you need to establish a spot in your budget for school essentials, you cannot forget about the rest of your household responsibilities. Read on →

Americans are living longer and longer nowadays with the advances made in health care. This means the retirement plans of years past do not necessarily work for today. The amount of money needed for a retirement fund back in 1980 is not going to even touch what you need in your retirement account today, especially with cost of living being higher than it was back then. Therefore, you want to make sure your retirement fund is in it for the long haul. Read on →

Oh, the dreams we have of our wedding day when we are growing up. The cake. The flowers. The dress. Oh, the groom, too! But what we are not thinking about is all the costs associated with a wedding day. Needless to say, the dreams we once had are quickly squashed by the amount of money that adds up for our wedding day. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean our dream wedding has to die. Read on →

School is out for summer! Woohoo! You probably felt this day would never come, but here it is. Now, it is time to do a little something for you. How about putting more back into your savings account this summer? Build Your Savings Account While most people use their summer as a chance to go away on vacations and weekend trips, you can use your summer to your advantage by utilizing these tips for boosting your savings account. Read on →

Growing up, how many times did you say to yourself, “I cannot wait until I become an adult, get my own job, make lots of money, and buy this and that!” Chances are, you did many times—especially during your teen years. However, then the day finally arrived when you did become the adult. And while you can now buy this and that, there are other things you forgot to consider when “dreaming” during your younger days, such as rent/mortgage, utility bill, car payment, etc. Read on →

The word every child hates to hear: responsibility. As soon as they hear the word, it seems they quickly run in the other direction. However, how many times have you said to yourself now that you are an adult, “I wish I knew then what I know now”? Keep your children from falling into this category by teaching them now what they’ll need to know later. Teach Them While They Are Young Read on →

Currently, you are probably working room to room, cleaning out closets, dusting off baseboards, etc. All the cleaning has probably even had your brain turning with ideas of what you would like to one day do different with the room. Well, why not make that “one day” today?! Make Your Home New Again Look up. That may not be the first place you look when it comes to adding to your renovation “wish list,” but it is probably the most important—especially since it is the roof that covers your family’s head. Read on →

Do you feel like you are spending more money repairing your car than what it is actually worth? Maybe you have a baby on the way this year and need to trade in your two-door car for a more family-friendly vehicle? No matter what your reason is, there are steps you can take to make sure you are ready for your new car loan. Prepare for a New Set of Keys Read on →

Forget about your closet! What you really need to focus on this spring is cleaning out your finances, so you can start enjoying financial success in the future! Plus, who knows, cleaning out your finances may make room to afford a new spring wardrobe when you do start clearing out your closet! Shake Off the Winter Finances The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. And with these tips, your wallet could be growing! Read on →

When the gas prices went up a couple of years ago, the cost of groceries inevitably went up, as well. However, even though the gas prices have now made their way back down, it seems the cost of groceries is still staying at higher ground—if not even higher than that! Fortunately, there are ways to cut down on your grocery bill even if the cost of groceries is still high. Read on →