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 number to start with, as that can usually cover an insurance deductible or a minor car repair to keep your transportation going. Ultimately, I think you should shoot for somewhere between 3 and 6 ... View Post

Here at Fulfilled for Less, I believe that we don't need a bunch of "stuff" to make us happy. I'm excited to talk about why frugal simplicity is a great thing, and how to save money on essentials through frugal living! Some people set out to live frugally as a means to an end, or as a short term fix for going through a lean financial season. But many have found the joy that frugal living can bring, and want to stick with it in the long run! Whatever your reasons for wanting to live a frugal life, here are a few practical ways you can substitute in different areas of your life, without even feeling like you're sacrificing! This post may contain affiliate links. Switch to wool dryer balls They last for a thousand plus loads, saving you from having to purchase expensive dryer sheets. They also reduce drying time, saving you on your electric bill each month! Finally, they're a natural alternative to dryer sheets that are so much better for you. This one is a no-brainer! Add some ... View Post

If you've just made the decision to quit your job so you can stay home with your kids and follow your passions, congratulations!! Seeing people make the jump is the thing that gets me more excited than anything! Now that you've made up your mind, you're probably wondering how exactly to make it happen. When you're used to living on two incomes, it can be hard and scary to make the switch to living on one income. But I firmly believe that it can be done. Here are nine expenses you can cut to make living on one income a possibility: 1. Going Out/Entertainment My husband and I love going to the movies, and we used to do it all the time. Now that we moved back home and our closest theater is 30 minutes away (an hour for the good ones,) we hardly ever go anymore. I guess that's why I was so surprised the last time we went out and two tickets cost over $30!! That hurt, but we decided to go ahead and keep splurging since we were already out. That meant another $20 for popcorn, drinks, ... View Post

Running a little low on cash? Here's over 20 ways to save money in your 20's (and beyond) so you can put more money back in your bank account! In your 20's you're probably going to spend a lot of time going to school, working entry-level jobs, and not bringing in lavish paychecks. That's why it's so important to save money every way you turn. And the good thing is, there's plenty of opportunities all around! So let's dive right in with how to save money in your 20's: 1.) Drive a used car. And no, it doesn't necessarily have to be a "beater." Even purchasing a car that's a few years old versus brand new off the lot will save you thousands of dollars in depreciation. 2.) Stop eating out for lunch every day. Food is probably my number one weakness when it comes to my money. I'm just always more full and enjoy the food more when I'm not making it myself! However, this is one of the easiest ways to put some substantial money back into your pocket. So don't be afraid to at least ... View Post

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Sick of seeing all your hard-earned money go down the drain when you KNOW you should be saving money? Here are seven totally do-able ways you can save money today to add some more money to your debt payoff, contribute more to the savings account, or just free up a little wiggle room each month. 1.) Try a TV alternative. My husband and I have been cable free for about three years now, and we haven't even missed it! We picked up an antenna to watch live, local TV (I didn't even realize this was a thing!) and aside from the price of the antenna, it's completely free! We get about 10 channels, which include ABC, Fox, and NBC, so we can still watch a lot of the prime time shows we love. Here's one from Amazon, or you could just pick one up at Walmart next time you go. Another service I've enjoyed is Vudu through our SmartTV. We've used this to rent and stream movies, and we've even bought a season pass to a TV show that let us watch the new ... View Post