On another positive note, I wanted to share how savings rates have recently changed during this pandemic. To quickly summarize, Americans are saving significantly more and spending less. In fact, Americans saved a record amount of their income in April, as the coronavirus pandemic caused businesses across the country to shut down and individuals were encouraged to stay in their homes. According to data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Friday, the personal savings...
While a lot of people thought we may be done with COVID-19, it seems to have come back and it might not being going away for awhile! Given the economic uncertainties, it is very important to keep a close eye on your personal finances and to continue to assess your current financial situation. Below are a few common areas for financial concerns that may have already come up or could come up in the near future....
Building wealth isn't just something rich people do. And those who are wealthy don't always stay that way. We've all heard of the countless millionaire celebrities who've filed for bankrupcty. A Bankrate.com article tells the woes of lottery jackpot winners who are back to broke after a couple of years. Some may wonder, "How can someone with that much money lose everything?" The answer is simple - poor planning and spending too much money. But don't...
When it comes to planning for your first baby, it’s hard to find a balance between being budget conscious and feeling as though you are prepared for anything and everything your new baby may need. Here are three lessons (and huge cost-saving tips) that I have learned along the way. 1. Choose items that will grow along with your child. When it comes to car seats, there are two options: an infant seat, or “bucket”...
I am now honored to be a parent, and the subject of allowances has entered into the discussion. The subject of children’s allowances can get surprisingly contentious. Some parents have very strong opinions about the topic. I did some research and found some helpful tips that I thought I would share. The purpose of an allowance: An allowance enables a child to experience money and how to manage money. You can teach your kids the concept...
Every year, I make it a goal to have my holiday shopping completed before the holidays actually hit. Planning ahead for holiday gifts can not only help you to save on stress, but save on cash as well. Here are a few budget-friendly holiday gift ideas. An Amazon gift card: Warehouse stores, such as Costco and Sam's Club, sell gift cards for less than their face value. You can also often find bulk packs of gift...
Every person should have a solid foundation or set of key principles to investing. Even if you are not a financial savvy person, you should still sit down and outline what your key principles are. I thought it would be helpful to share mine. Please feel free to let me know what your principles are in the comments section. Ignore daily market moves: I do not pay much attention to the daily ups and downs of...
Money can cause serious stress to any couple. As I have gone through this before, I wanted to share a few tips and recommendations on how to manage money as a couple or with your significant other. Please feel free to share any additional recommendations in the comments section. Be open and communicate: The most important thing you can do to effectively manage money as a couple is to be as open and honest as possible...
Fall is upon on us, and is it such a beautiful time of the year. With the change of a new season, I wanted to share a few new tips on how to save money during the fall season. Please let me know if you have any additional tips, and share them in the comments section. Stock up on school supplies for the entire year: Don’t skimp when it comes to school supply sales. Now is...
Unless you are an outlier, most people do not have a lot of money in college. It is imperative to find ways to save money in college. Also, for most college students, this is the first time really having to budget and manage money on your own. You might not know all the tips and tricks to make your money last. Below are a few helpful tips to help save money while in college. Use the...
