We’re excited to follow the journey of our participants as they increase their savings, reduce their debt and take control of their money.
Along the way, we’ll share with you the tips, tools and recommendations we give them. We’ll show you how their changes are making big and small impacts to their cash flow and financial habits.
Our first bit of advice is a simple one. Just get talking and thinking. Talking and thinking about hopes, dreams, financial challenges and how you feel about where you are. Understanding where you are and where you want to be gets you moving forward.
So follow us here and on Facebook and join us on the journey.
If you find yourself spending more time bookkeeping and less time doing things you enjoy, it’s time to streamline those finances! Don’t wait for the New Year to make improvements to your money management skills. Start saving time this week with these simple online tools.
Go green, go paperless. Reduce your clutter at home by opting in to receive electronic statements. The benefit is less mail to go through and less trash to throw away.
Those after Christmas sales will be upon us next week and you’ll be tempted to take advantage of those super sales. Before you shop, be mindful of what you already have in your closet and check out these 6 easy ways to stretch your fashion budget and maximize your style.
Buy versatile pieces: The trick is to shop with your entire wardrobe in mind. A few key pieces that mix and match well will get you more outfits for less money. Give yourself a challenge - come up with at least 4 outfits for this shirt or that skirt before you buy it.
Accessorize: Adding accessories can completely transform an outfit or that basic t-shirt you live in. Plus they usually cost less, so you can stock up on fun and trendy pieces without spending a lot.
With less than two weeks before the holidays, you might be in a panic with last minute shopping- still not knowing what to get certain people on your list. Think about making it simple – give a gift card.
Besides allowing recipients to purchase their own gift, gift cards are easier and faster to buy than traditional gifts, they're cheaper to ship, you can buy them at the last minute and they can help you stick to your budget. But there are a few things you should keep in mind this holiday season if you're planning on purchasing gift cards for your nearest and dearest:
Buy gift cards from reputable retailers. To make sure the recipient receives the card's full value, you should only buy gift cards from reputable retailers (not online auction sites). Gift cards sold through online auction sites are more likely to be counterfeit or obtained fraudulently.
The allure of the special offer, limited time offer and buy one get one at 50% off, can really play to your sense of gratification and make you feel like you’re on the top of a mountain. You relish in the fact that you did good, you were savvy shopper.
These deals are meant to encourage you to buy more, to buy what you want, rather than what you might really need – because you are presented with a deal. Our natural instincts are to provide, and if we can provide and get a better deal – then great!
Do you have a full social calendar this month? From work parties, to Saturday evening gatherings with friends, to the big game on New Year’s Day (Go Badgers,) take a moment to prepare for these upcoming events and expenses.
Review your social calendar: Write down each event you have committed to attend on a post it note along with the type of event it is.
Consider your expenses: Think about how much money you’ll be spending and itemize the costs on the post it note. Will you be going to dinner or bring an appetizer to a friend’s home? If you are…then eating out and grocery costs will increase for the month. And, don’t forget the cash for the babysitter!
Keep it visible: Place the post it notes on your refrigerator to remind yourself of your events and your upcoming expenses – and even that you have to find time to make that appetizer!
Use this information as a way to remind yourself to pack your lunch or just be more mindful of your spending in general so you won’t have to put these extra expenses on a credit card.
According to AAA, 42 million people will be traveling at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving. That means time to fill-up the tank, grab a couple of drinks and snacks and go over the river and through the woods…
Many of us don’t give a second thought to the little extras we buy when we travel, but with a little planning you can save yourself the expense this holiday.
Add those on-the-go snacks/beverages you buy to your next shopping list. Buying them at the grocery store before the trip is considerably cheaper than at a gas station.
The night before or the morning of, create a “travel snack bag” filled with items convenient for the car. And, stock a small cooler with water, soda and kids drinks.
Consider if your travel plans allow you to pack your cooler with sandwiches so you can avoid the cost of the drive-up or restaurant.
Follow some or all of these tips and you’ll save on your next trip!
Have you ever taken a moment to think about why we buy what we buy?
You’d think that each of us makes a planned, well thought out decision when it comes to spending our money. Not true! Research has shown that 50% of our purchasing decisions are made spontaneously and unconsciously at the store. But why?
Here are a few things to be aware of next time you shop.
We let our guard down. Many retailers look for ways to make you feel comfortable when you are shopping. When you feel comfortable, you are more relaxed, happy and hopefully, you’ll open your wallet easier. Maybe it’s the smells, the beautiful decorations, the shiny lights. Our senses play a major role in our attitudes towards spending money.
Tip: Remember to stick to your list and think about only what you really need instead of those nice to have items.
Before you begin putting those holiday purchases on credit, take time to review your credit card agreements. With the passage of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, some card companies increased fees and rates – without consumers realizing it.
If you haven’t used your card in awhile, knowing how much your credit card will cost you can help you make better, more cost effective financial choices.
To begin, find your credit card agreement either from a recent statement or online at your card’s website.
Check your interest rate for purchases, cash advances and balance transfers – ask yourself “Are the rates what I thought they were?”
Double check the interest rates for purchases: Some companies have changed their fixed interest rates to variable rates based on the prime rate.
Review how much you would be charged if you took out a cash advance or balance transfer and if there are any fees associated with it.
Check for an annual fee - some companies are starting to charge consumers for not using their credit card or requiring that they charge a certain amount each year to avoid an annual fee.
With many rethinking their purchases and starting to live within their means, these fees could occur without you realizing it.
Subscribe to this Blog
