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Savvy ATM: Use This Sticky Solution For Leftover Gift Cards
Yes, unused gift cards are still a waste. It's hard to hit the magic number when spending and I'm often guilty of shoving them in a wallet or drawer to remember to use . .
5 Simple Steps For Creating a Spending Plan
Straightforward budgets aren't always the best solution for people trying to get a handle on their money — the inflexible nature of budgeting can be a frustrating turn-off. Just because you're not one for budgets doesn't mean there isn't hope for following a plan that will get your finances on track. A spending plan is a better solution than a traditional budget for those who want a less rigid method for managing their money.
Savvy Solution: Two Ways to Tackle Debt
Like most things related to money, formulating a plan is the surest way to stick to your goals. Some debt slayers simply throw most of their money (after living expenses) at their debt to pay it off as quickly as possible, and hit the ground running without a clear path. Other debt-ridden dames focused on making a change need more focus to get motivated.
Could You Go Without Credit Cards For One Month?
A recent study showed that people spend up to 20 percent less when they use cash instead of cards, so Good Morning America wanted to test the study's accuracy by introducing its own credit card challenge. The Farhat family of Arlington, TX, is going cold turkey with their addiction to plastic in response to the challenge — quite the undertaking for a family that relies on nine credit cards.
The Farhats manage to pay off their balances each month but admit they're spending more than they'd like.
How to Manage Money When Income Is Irregular
If you think managing your money with a regular income stream is challenging, try handling the task when you're not earning a steady salary. Those who are self-employed (think freelancers and business owners) must plan ahead even more than those of us with predictable salaries so they don't find themselves pressing the panic button when their work flow slows.
Since I've never been in this situation but am aware that several of you are, I turned to the smart folks at The Motley Fool for guidance.
Six Tips For Finding Extra Money to Start Your Emergency Fund
Because everyone prioritizes his or her spending needs and wants differently, you'll never catch me telling you that you should be spending a certain amount of your income in one category or another. Budgets depend too much on how much money you bring in, your cost-of-living, and your debt situation for me to suggest how to allocate your funds. So, while it's up to you to decide how your money is best spent, I will tell you that having an emergency "rainy day" fund is a key component of feeling more financially secure and can save you from debt-tragedy if an emergency were to arise.
Savvy Solution: If the Alps Are Out of the Question, Here's Where to Travel
YumSugar is always in good spirits, but her mood is even better than usual because of some recent news about Iceland. She's been wishing to revisit the country since her first fantastic vacation there in 2005, but her only gripe about the trip has also been the only thing preventing her from going back. She said, "It was a billion times more expensive than anyplace I'd ever been," but now that Iceland's currency has plunged against the dollar she can plan another trip!
How to Achieve Financial Security
Sometimes we all could use a little kick in the behind to change our less than perfect habits, and over the weekend the Wall Street Journal published "Ways to Make Saving a Habit" to give us that nudge many of us need. We're responding to steadily rising prices by revising the way we spend, but are we actually spending less overall? The WSJ suggests twelve practices to help us make saving a way of life and eventually achieve financial security.
Five Steps to Follow When Your Wallet Is Stolen
Fortunately, I've never lost my purse or wallet, but during instances where I momentarily thought that I lost my debit card or driver's license, panic surged through me. The automatic reaction when something happens that could compromise your everyday livelihood is fear and worry, but you need to overcome those sensations very quickly and focus to ensure nothing more happens. You want to be one of those people saying "it could be worse," not one who says, "they emptied my bank account and stole my identity."
Savvy ATM: What's a Recession, Anyway?
All the financial news over the past several months has featured opinions on whether or not we're in a recession or if we're on our way there, and some of you have developed your own opinions about the state of the economy. Context tells us that a possible recession definitely doesn't suggest racking up higher credit card bills and blowing your savings on things you don't need, but what exactly is a recession? To find out if your recession assumptions fit the bill just read more
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