When most people hear the word “budget” they cringe – I know I do. That’s because when financial experts say to set up a household budget, nobody knows where to begin. Before you can set up a budget, you have to know how much is being spent and on what. If you don’t know how… Continue reading How to Budget with Sara Tetreault
Category: budgeting
Sustainable living – for your wallet. Whatever your goals – building a nest egg, saving for retirement or traveling the world – knowing how to budget, save money, and be frugal will help you get there.
Debt Free Isn’t for Everyone
There's a lot of talk about being or becoming debt free. It's usually framed as an all or nothing decision and that you must do it, at all cost. It's a good discussion to have. However, the discussion needs to focus on whether or not to be debt free, not immediately settled on the foregone… Continue reading Debt Free Isn’t for Everyone
5 Smart and Simple Ways to Save
Are you always looking for ways to save? Me, too! These are my easy ways to save - both money and resources. These hit all of my requirements - good for you, good for the environment, and good for the pocketbook. Cook :: Cook at home. You'll eat healthier and with meal planning, you won't… Continue reading 5 Smart and Simple Ways to Save
Smart and Simple Financial Books
This is a guest post from my husband - also known as Mr. Finance. He keeps me in check. It's a think piece. OK, so not all of these are specifically financial (or even books) but they are great all the same. Whether they particularly address investing or not, they all will give you a… Continue reading Smart and Simple Financial Books
Reducing Housing Costs
This is the last in a series of money saving strategies for reducing your FAITH expenses. FAITH = food, apparel, insurance, transportation, and housing. Mortgage: Have a job? Refinance. It’s the easiest way to lower your mortgage payment. If you have principal mortgage insurance (PMI) and have enough equity in your home, talk with your… Continue reading Reducing Housing Costs
Reducing Transportation Expenses
This is the fourth in a series of money saving strategies for reducing your FAITH expenses. FAITH = food, apparel, insurance, transportation, and housing. Here are my top tips for saving money on transportation in your budget. Thou shalt not lease – Leasing equals buying a car - only on really bad terms. Keep driving… Continue reading Reducing Transportation Expenses
Reducing FAITH Expenses: Insurance
This is the third in a series of money saving strategies for reducing your FAITH expenses. FAITH = food, apparel, insurance, transportation, and housing. Insurance costs can really creep up if you’re not careful. I have to force myself to really look at the statements and keep track of what the policies cost and how… Continue reading Reducing FAITH Expenses: Insurance
11 Tips for Frugal Living
11 Tips for Frugal Living does not include tired suggestions like, “Make espresso at home instead of buying drinks at expensive coffee shops” or extreme ideas like, “Take cold showers.” No thank you! These 11 tips for frugal living are attitude adjustments and ones that can implemented over time – as in baby steps –… Continue reading 11 Tips for Frugal Living
Reducing FAITH Expenses: Apparel
This is the second in a series of money saving strategies for reducing your FAITH expenses. FAITH = food, apparel, insurance, transportation, and housing. Clothing yourself, a family, and a home is expensive but you don’t have to break the budget. With a little closet cleaning, party planning, and splurging, you can redirect your resources… Continue reading Reducing FAITH Expenses: Apparel
Tips for the Newly Unemployed
A reader contacted me recently asking for tips because her husband recently lost his job. Unfortunately, I have experience with this situation since this month marks 5-years since my husband lost his job. His last full-time job was with a start-up company that was equity funded and in 2008, with the economy coming to a… Continue reading Tips for the Newly Unemployed
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