Going out to eat is one of the biggest budget busters of our generation. We simply don’t have the time to make elaborate dinners every night! Some of us were never taught to cook, and so eating out takes way less time than cooking (and it usually tastes better.) But eating out is terrible on the wallet. For whatever reason, we balk at spending $10 on a 2 pound package of ground beef at the store, but a quick fast food meal for two at around $18 is no big deal. It is a big deal though, especially when going out to eat becomes a habit. It adds up fast! (One great way to see how much you’re spending on eating out each month is by using my highlighter budgeting method. You already know you’re spending too much on food, but you may be surprised just how high that number actually ... View Post

You know you need an emergency fund. You've been told how important having emergency savings is. But how exactly do you do this? How do you save for emergencies when everything else is so important too? I've written this ultimate guide to emergency funds to help you get your emergency savings started in a few practical steps. You don't have to keep putting this off any longer, and the sooner you start saving, the sooner you'll be prepared for whatever life throws your way! Step 1: Decide on Your Amount There are a few different factors you should consider when deciding on how much you should have in your emergency fund. How big is your family? How many different incomes do you have coming in? Popular advice is to start with $1,000 and build from there. I think $1,000 is a solid ... View Post